Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Türkiye.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Seydikemer Municipality reopens snowbound roads, warning issued for Yayla Antalya road
Seydikemer Municipality has successfully reopened roads in the district’s high-altitude neighbourhoods that were closed due to heavy snowfall. The Technical Services Directorate mobilised teams to address transportation challenges caused by the snowfall, ensuring residents in the affected areas could resume their daily activities without disruption. Intensive efforts were carried out to clear the snow and make the roads passable again.
Mayor B. Önder Akdenizli emphasised the municipality’s proactive approach to combating winter conditions. “Snowfall impacted the highland neighbourhoods in our district due to seasonal conditions. Before winter began, we developed a comprehensive action plan to address snow-related issues,” he said. “In line with this plan, we have reopened snow-covered roads to traffic. Our teams and equipment are fully prepared to address any challenges the winter season might bring.”
Meanwhile, Fethiye Haber Bülteni follower Mehmet shared a video from the Yayla Antalya road, highlighting the severe snowfall in the area. Mehmet reported that the road was close to being closed due to heavy snow accumulation. In response, Seydikemer Municipality has strongly advised drivers to avoid using the road unless absolutely necessary.
The municipality urges citizens to exercise caution and to stay informed about road conditions during the winter season.
Source: Fethiye Haber Bülteni
Fethiye-Ölüdeniz-Kayaköy road works to begin in January 2025
The highly anticipated hot asphalt renewal works on the Fethiye-Ölüdeniz road are set to commence in January 2025, following a 10-day delay caused by an objection during the tender process. Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca announced the start of the project during a programme on Fethiye TV, emphasising its alignment with world standards and its transformative impact on the region.
Mayor Karaca revealed that the road, stretching from Taşyaka to Ölüdeniz, will undergo significant upgrades to meet international standards. The project will include paving with natural stones, modernised lighting systems, and other infrastructure improvements. “This project will not only improve transportation but also enhance the visual appeal of the region,” Karaca said.
Investment of Over 300 Million TL
The project will be financed by Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, with a budget allocation exceeding 300 million TL. Mayor Karaca highlighted that the infrastructure in Ölüdeniz, Hisarönü, and Ovacık was completed during the previous term, paving the way for the current superstructure phase. He also noted an additional investment of 45 million TL for improvements on the Hisarönü-Kayaköy road.
“The tender process for the road has been completed, with only one objection causing a brief delay. We are now ready to begin the works in the first week of January,” Karaca confirmed.
Karaca underscored Ölüdeniz’s status as a global tourism hotspot, particularly noted for its paragliding activities. “Ölüdeniz is one of the most beautiful flight points in the world. With this project, both local residents and visitors will enjoy more modern and comfortable transportation. When the works are completed, everyone will witness the enhanced beauty of this iconic destination,” he said.
The renewed road is expected to significantly improve accessibility and aesthetics, further solidifying Fethiye and Ölüdeniz as premier tourist destinations.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-oludeniz-kayakoy-yol-calismalari-ocak-ayinda-basliyor
Kayaköy becomes the most visited archaeological site in Fethiye in 2024
Fethiye’s museums and archaeological sites drew a total of 282,900 visitors in 2024, with historical Kayaköy retaining its position as the region’s most popular attraction. Despite a decline in overall visitor numbers compared to the previous year, Kayaköy continued to captivate tourists with its unique historical ambiance, attracting 81,000 visitors.
Known for its timeless charm and historical significance, Kayaköy saw a decrease in visitors from 100,013 in 2023 to 81,000 in 2024. However, it still remained the most visited archaeological site in Fethiye. The deserted village, with its centuries-old stone houses and serene atmosphere, continues to be a focal point for both local and international tourists.
The Amyntas King Tombs, renowned for their stunning location overlooking the Fethiye Gulf, ranked second with 58,000 visitors in 2024. However, the site also experienced a significant drop from the 98,607 visitors recorded in 2023.
The total number of visitors to Fethiye’s museums and archaeological sites dropped sharply, from 368,669 in 2023 to 282,900 in 2024. This decrease highlights potential challenges in the region’s tourism sector, underscoring the need to address factors impacting visitor numbers.
Visitor Statistics for Other Archaeological Sites
Other archaeological sites managed by the Fethiye Museum also saw varied visitor numbers in 2024:
• Kaunos Ruins: 55,500 visitors
• Tlos Ancient City: 41,000 visitors
• Gemiler Island: 21,000 visitors
• Letoon Ancient City: 20,000 visitors
• Kadyanda: 3,300 visitors
• Pınara Ancient City: 3,100 visitors
Kayaköy’s enduring appeal amidst declining tourism figures highlights its cultural and historical significance. Efforts to enhance the visitor experience and promote these sites may help to revitalise tourism in Fethiye for the coming years.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-kayakoy-en-cok-ziyaret-edilen-oren-yeri-oldu
Beşkaza Square ready for New Year’s Eve celebrations
Fethiye’s Beşkaza Square has been decorated with festive lights and New Year-themed figures as preparations for the 2025 celebrations are finalised. The work, carried out in cooperation with Fethiye Municipality and Muğla Metropolitan Municipality, aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors.
The square features colourful lights, illuminated signs, and figures specifically designed for the New Year. These decorations have attracted significant attention, with many visitors stopping to take photos.
Municipal officials have confirmed that all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure the public can celebrate the New Year safely. Events will be held at the square, allowing residents of Fethiye to gather and welcome 2025 together.
Beşkaza Square is now ready to serve as the centrepiece of Fethiye’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, offering a festive setting for the community.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/beskaza-meydani-yilbasina-hazir
Turkish seas witness most bountiful fishing season in years
Turkish fishermen are celebrating an exceptionally bountiful first half of the 2024-2025 fishing season, marking a three-decade high in fish diversity and abundance. The northern coasts, particularly the Black Sea, have proven especially fruitful, with record catches of bonito, anchovies, and other species.
“The Black Sea has been remarkably fruitful this year, both in terms of abundance and diversity. We haven’t seen a bonito catch like this in perhaps 30 years,” said Hüseyin Yılmaz, a seasoned fisherman. He noted that even mullet, which traditionally appears later in the season, arrived earlier than expected, contributing to the bumper haul.
Another veteran fisherman added, “While we’ve had larger hauls before, the consistency and variety this season are truly remarkable.”
The season began with an extraordinary harvest of bonito, followed by abundant yields of anchovies and horse mackerel. Whiting and mullet later sustained the strong momentum, leaving fishermen optimistic for the second half of the season, which runs until April 15.
Aquaculture exports from Türkiye’s Eastern Black Sea region surged by 23% in the first 11 months of 2024, generating over $200 million. Russia emerged as the top importer, with Trabzon, a key seafood export hub, contributing $130 million to the total.
Türkiye’s aquaculture production exceeded 500,000 tons in 2023, positioning the country among Europe’s leading nations in the sector. Officials aim to surpass $2 billion in seafood export revenues by the end of 2024, further solidifying the industry’s role as a cornerstone of the national economy.
In southern Türkiye, efforts to curb the invasive and destructive pufferfish population have intensified. The government’s program, launched in 2020, compensates fishermen for capturing eight specific pufferfish species to mitigate their ecological and economic impact. Payments are provided for each fish delivered, incentivising the removal of these venomous species.
Türkiye imposes an annual fishing ban from April 15 to September 1 to protect fish spawning and ensure marine ecosystem health. This approach, combined with recent successes, highlights the nation’s commitment to balancing economic growth with sustainability.
As the season progresses, Turkish fishermen remain hopeful that the second half will continue the success story, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a leading player in global aquaculture.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-seas-witness-most-bountiful-fishing-season-in-years-204062
Turkish Provinces deploy forest guards to prevent illegal tree cutting ahead of New Year
As New Year’s celebrations approach, several provinces in Türkiye, including the Mediterranean province of Burdur, have introduced an unusual but necessary security measure: deploying guards to protect forests from illegal tree cutting. The initiative aims to prevent individuals from felling pine trees or harvesting branches for festive decorations in homes, offices, or entertainment venues.
In Burdur, eight specialised protection units comprising 30 forest rangers have been mobilised to safeguard the region’s forests. These teams have commenced round-the-clock patrols, which will continue until New Year’s Eve, to deter illicit activities targeting saplings and mature trees.
To further discourage unauthorized logging, the local forest authority in Burdur has launched a complementary program, distributing free pine saplings to the public at its headquarters.
Türkiye enforces stringent penalties for unauthorized tree cutting. Individuals caught felling or uprooting trees in forests without permission face prison sentences of three months to five years, along with fines. The penalties are even harsher for cutting or uprooting saplings, doubling to imprisonment terms ranging from six months to 10 years.
This proactive approach underscores Türkiye’s commitment to protecting its forests while promoting sustainable practices during the festive season. The measures aim to balance holiday traditions with environmental conservation, ensuring a greener and more responsible celebration.
SPORT
Fethiyespor
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Here is a compilation of the goals scored by Fethiyespor during the first half of the 2024-2025 season.
League Matches
The second half of the season kicks off with an away match against Kastamonuspor on Sunday, 19 January 2025. The game is set to begin at 14:00.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 44.13 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 44.21 TL.
The US Dollar bought 35.10 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 35.17 TL.
The Euro bought 36.60 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 36.70 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
