Fethiye Times news – our pick of what’s been going on in Fethiye and around the region over the past week.
Season starts with sunshine and swing in Ölüdeniz
Fethiye Municipality, organisers of the first spring meeting for Ölüdeniz, couldn’t have chosen a more perfect day. Thursday was warm and sunny and the event took place under blue skies.
Local officials made speeches, there was a march-past by the Municipality Brass band and a display by paragliders. The event attracted scores of visitors.
Soaring temperatures attract visitors
On 2nd May Muğla’s beaches were “full” according to the press, as temperatures climbed to an impressive 28 degrees celsius (that’s 82 degrees Fahrenheit).
“Merhaba” to the Çalış taxi boats
Another sign that the season is underway is the reappearance of the Çalış Taxi boats. Ship shape, following winter repairs and painting, the boats are now back in service. This is certainly the most relaxed way to travel between Fethiye and Çalış. As 2017 marks the 30th year of this facility, Fethiye Mayor Behçet Saatcı paid a visit to the cooperative to wish them good luck and a prosperous season.
Biggest British bloggers boost business
www.esonhaber.com
A group of young bloggers from the UK visited Muğla this week to draw attention to the region. Guests of the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture in London, the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and the Regional Hoteliers Association, they were taken on a tour of the region as a way of attracting more tourists. With more than a million followers between them, they used every opportunity to film themselves and the places they visited. From the looks on their faces, they all had a great time.
Kayaköy back on the agenda
The local media reported on 4th May that the development plan for Kayaköy is back on the agenda.
The report said about sixty thousand people visit Kayaköy every year and the valley has an important role to play in tourism for the area. However, according to the story, residents living in the valley have had problems for about 20 years. This is due to their not being able to repair their homes because of planning enforcement and the 3% building limit.
In an official statement Fethiye District Governor, Ekrem Çalık, told the assembled journalists that in 2017 a conservation/development plan would finally be decided for Kayaköy.
Governor Çalık said: “The most important problem for Kayaköy and the villagers, citizens and those who want to work there for tourism is the development plan. But there is good news. We have been informed that in 2017 the plan for Kayaköy will be implemented and a plan for building in the area will be sanctioned.
Churches to be restored and reopened
The District Governor added that the churches [which have been locked since May 2013] will be restored and opened to the public. He said that the churches were in danger of collapse and presented a risk to the public but the relevant departments of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the talks to protect and restore the churches were on going.
Latest news on Fethiye antique theatre
In his statement, Governor Çalık also mentioned that restoration work at the Telmessos Theatre in Fethiye, which was tendered for a restoration by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for 4 million TL, could not be continued due to legal problems: “Telmessos Antique Theatre is very important for Fethiye,” he said.
“The work stopped because of some legal problems. As soon as the legal problems [related to the contractor carrying out the work] are resolved, the work will continue. This historic theatre is the perfect venue for all kinds of social events, concerts and theatrical performances.” He added that because the case is currently sub judice he could not make any further comment.
Plans for Amintas rock tombs continue
The Governor also spoke about the security camera system and lighting project that Fethiye Municipality is in the process of planning for the Amintas tombs: “Now the conservation council has given their approval for this project, it will be implemented; however, as the restoration work requires specialist skills, work is continuing on this matter,” he said.
Turkish money
The British Pound bought 4.60 Turkish Lira (TL) by close of business on Friday.
The week before it was selling for 4.60 TL.
Weather forecast
Here is the Fethiye weather forecast for the week ahead
Many thanks to Aisha Ali for the headline photo and Jeanne Güneşoğlu, of Villa Rhapsody, Kayaköy for the poppies photo.
The post Fethiye Times News Week Ending 6th May 2017 appeared first on Fethiye Times.