Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
The New Eye of the Police: Camera Inspection Vehicles
MUĞLA – Muğla Metropolitan Municipality has ushered in a new era in police inspections with the launch of its Mobile Vehicle Camera Inspection System.
The system equips municipal police vehicles with 360-degree cameras, enabling teams to record inspections in real time while on patrol. This new technology complements the existing body cameras already in use by officers, enhancing transparency, accountability, and efficiency in municipal policing.
Officials say the initiative will allow for more accurate documentation of incidents, strengthen evidence gathering, and provide an additional layer of safety for both the public and the police.
Source: Fethiye TV
Traffic Queues Stretch from Ovacık to Ölüdeniz in Summer Rush
FETHİYE, MUĞLA – The summer season in Ölüdeniz, Fethiye’s world-renowned tourist destination, has once again brought heavy traffic congestion to the area.
A surge of vehicles from both local and international tourists visiting for their holidays led to long queues, with traffic stretching this time from Ovacık all the way to Ölüdeniz.
Drivers were forced to endure long waits in slow-moving traffic under scorching heat. Local shopkeepers noted that while the congestion indicates a healthy tourism season, permanent solutions are needed for parking and traffic management to prevent recurring bottlenecks.
Source: Fethiye TV
Tourism Down 60% at Fethiye’s Tuesday Market, Say Vendors
FETHİYE, MUĞLA – Vendors at Fethiye’s well-known Tuesday market have reported lower sales and a 60% drop in tourism activity compared to last year, citing reduced spending by visitors.
Market vendor Süleyman Korkmaz said that customer traffic at the market has not translated into higher sales. He noted that business levels are below those of previous seasons and that rising costs are affecting both vendors and customers.
Vendor Osman Şanal, who has worked in the market for 30 years, stated that sales have decreased significantly. He said that while purchase prices for goods have increased, customers are less willing to buy due to higher retail prices.
Another vendor, Sezgin Gürgün, said there had been little activity in the market over the past three months, with a recent increase in visitors mainly due to domestic tourism. He added that some vendors have lowered prices to cost level in an attempt to attract customers.
Source: Fethiye TV
13th Yörük Festival in Nif Draws Large Crowds and Colourful Celebrations
FETHİYE, MUĞLA – The 13th Traditional Yörük Games Festival, held in the Nif neighbourhood of Fethiye, brought together locals and visitors for a day of cultural displays, competitions, and concerts.
Organised by the Nif Yörük Culture and Solidarity Association, the event began in the morning with a mock Yörük migration. Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca joined the convoy, driving a tractor accompanied by drums and zurnas.
Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed traditional competitions, including tug-of-war, putting a pen in a bottle, and carrying eggs. Daytime concerts featured performances by local artists İsmail Peynirci, Cihan Coşkun, Esat Göçmez, Şerif Şimşek, Adem Zorlu, Talip Demirci, and Ergün Demir. The evening concert, headlined by Sabahattin Kundakçı, İsmail Uzunoğlu, and Fatmanır Göçmez, drew large crowds and ended the day on a high note.
The festival was hosted by Ramazan Kıvrak, President of the Fethiye Nomadic Turkmen Association, and attended by Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca; Medet Topçu, President of the Nif Nomadic Culture and Solidarity Association; Ferhat Uysal, Headman of the Nif Neighbourhood; İsmail Uzunoğlu, President of the Toroslar Nomadic Turkmen Federation and Seydikemer Nomadic Turkmen Association; as well as numerous NGO representatives and guests.
One of the most anticipated moments was the ağa election, in which three candidates competed. Ahmet Yasin Çolak, owner of MYRA Construction, secured the title with a 200,000 TL bid. Wearing traditional Yörük attire, Çolak was paraded around the festival area to the sound of drums and zurna, receiving applause from the crowd.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/nifte-13-yoruk-senligi-cosku-dolu-anlara-sahne-oldu?
Fethiye’s Maritime Industry Faces Challenges Amid Shipyard Expansion Plans
FETHİYE, MUĞLA – Cengiz Balaban, a maritime professional with 40 years of experience in Fethiye, shared his views on the new shipyard project planned for Karaot Beach, stressing the urgent need for improved infrastructure to support the growing sector.
Balaban welcomed the proposal to relocate the shipyard but underscored that port infrastructure must be established before the move. “We support the relocation decision, but boats cannot be accommodated in a place without a port. Locating the shipyard within a port offers safety and environmental benefits,” he said.
Highlighting the rapid growth of Fethiye’s maritime industry, Balaban noted that existing facilities are insufficient to meet demand. He pointed out Turkey’s leading role in wooden boat manufacturing, with vessels from Bodrum and Marmaris frequently requiring construction and maintenance services in Fethiye.
He explained that the current shipyard’s limited space and the heavy traffic, especially during summer, impede operations. “Traffic becomes much heavier with the influx of vacationers. Moving boats that are 30 to 40 meters long can take 15 to 20 minutes, which tests visitors’ patience,” Balaban said.
Balaban proposed building new docks and landfills for day-trip boats to alleviate congestion. He also stressed the need for safe harbours accessible to larger vessels by opening up to the open sea, given the low and shallow sea levels in the region.
Regarding the Karaot shipyard project, Balaban reiterated the importance of port infrastructure: “Even if relocation is decided, the port must be constructed first to accommodate boats safely. A shipyard within a port ensures marine safety and cleanliness.”
He further emphasized the necessity of professional marinas equipped with electricity, water, and fire systems. “There have been fires in illegal marinas without proper response options. Marina infrastructure is essential for safety. Waste collection systems are also crucial for environmental protection,” Balaban said.
Balaban suggested that the entire coastline of Fethiye be developed into marinas operated under unified management, offering essential services such as water, electricity, and fire safety, along with round-the-clock emergency personnel.
Stressing the maritime sector’s importance to Fethiye’s economy, Balaban said, “Many professions rely on the shipyard—from electricians and hardware stores to restaurant owners and minibus drivers. The maritime sector is a key economic resource for Fethiye.”
Climate Change Drives More Intense Summer Floods, Experts Urge Urban Infrastructure Overhaul
Intense summer floods, fueled by increasingly frequent heavy rains, are emerging as a significant global concern amid shifting climate patterns. Professor Murat Türkeş of Boğaziçi University’s Climate Change and Policy Implementation and Research Center highlighted the urgent need to redesign urban infrastructure to manage these growing risks.
Such floods occur when heavy downpours fall on dry ground, causing rapid runoff and widespread damage. The catastrophic 2021 flood in Kastamonu’s Bozkurt district exemplifies the consequences of disregarding natural landscapes in urban planning. Factors like deforestation, destruction of old riverbeds, and unregulated development worsen flooding impacts.
Rising temperatures increase atmospheric moisture, creating conditions for severe storms and heavy rainfall, leading to floods, landslides, and waterlogging. Regions in Turkey including the Black Sea area, Anatolia, and others are particularly vulnerable.
Rainfall events once expected only once in centuries are now more frequent, challenging even well-managed river systems in Europe. Türkeş calls for comprehensive reforms: urban drainage tailored to local geography, protection of floodplains, and removal of settlements in high-risk areas are crucial to mitigate future disasters.
Experts stress that adapting urban planning and infrastructure is essential for resilient communities amid intensifying climate impacts.
Source: Daily Sabah
Supernatural Star Misha Collins Visits Turkey
American actor Misha Collins, best known for his role as Castiel in the TV series Supernatural, visited Turkey on holiday, delighting fans with his social media posts. Collins shared a photo of himself with the Turkish flag, captioned, “ Türkiye, sen çok güzelsin. (Turkey, you are so beautiful.)”
The actor, who starred in Supernatural from 2005 to 2020, also expressed his admiration for the country’s historical heritage. In a video recorded in front of the Amyntas Rock Tombs in the Fethiye district of Muğla, he said:
“The US has existed for 250 years. This Turkish tomb is ten times as old. What will we be remembered for 2,500 years from now?”
The Amyntas Rock Tombs, dating back to the 4th century BCE, are among the most remarkable remnants of the Lycian civilisation. Carved into steep rock faces for prominent figures of the era, the tomb features architectural details reminiscent of ancient Greek temples. The inscription “Amyntas, son of Ermes” identifies the tomb’s owner.
Collins’ video highlighted Turkey’s deep historical roots and underscored the enduring value of cultural legacies left by civilisations over millennia.
