Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
The Golden Fin Underwater Imaging Turkish Championship Begins in Fethiye
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — The Golden Fin Underwater Imaging Turkish Championship has officially begun in Fethiye, bringing together 48 athletes to showcase their skills in capturing the vibrant world beneath the waves. Organized by the Turkish Underwater Sports Federation (TSSF) under this year’s theme, “Scuba Wolves”, the competition will highlight both photography and video artistry.
In the photography category, medals will be awarded across seven divisions: fish, theme, close-up (macro), wide-angle without models, wide-angle with models, creative, and smart device. The video category will feature three divisions: creative film, theme film, and 60-second video.
The dives are taking place in some of Fethiye’s most renowned underwater sites, including Afkule, Sarıyarlar, Dalyan Reef, Üç Tüneller, the SG wreck, and Aquarium Reef.
A TSSF spokesperson said: “We are proud to hold the Golden Fin Underwater Imaging Turkish Championship and National Team selections in Fethiye. We wish all athletes competing for the most striking photos and videos the best of luck. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to making this event possible.”
The championship runs from September 25–26, with the winners to be honored at an awards ceremony on September 27 at 7:00 PM in Beşkaza Square.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/altin-palet-sualti-goruntuleme-turkiye-sampiyonasi-fethiyede-basliyor
Fethiye Sees September Influx of Chinese Tourists
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — Fethiye has recorded a sharp rise in Chinese arrivals this year, with more than 85,000 visiting the resort town and over 22,000 taking tandem paragliding flights from Babadağ to Ölüdeniz.
Official figures show that of the 409,000 Chinese tourists who visited Turkey in 2024, one in five chose Fethiye, drawn by its beaches, ancient sites and adventure sports.
Tourism officials credit the increase to strengthened ties between Turkey and China. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with the Fethiye Tourism Council and the Chamber of Commerce, has stepped up promotional work in the Chinese market. The declaration of China Year in Turkey in 2019 and the filming of Chinese Survivor in Fethiye also boosted visibility before the pandemic.
Direct air links have expanded to meet demand. Weekly flights from China to Istanbul have more than doubled, from 21 to 49, lifting annual passenger capacity above one million. Talks are under way to improve domestic connections between Istanbul and Dalaman, the gateway to Fethiye.
Paragliding remains the biggest draw. Between January and September 2025, Babadağ hosted 145,959 flights. Turkish visitors led with 64,699 flights, followed by Chinese with 22,107, Russians with 17,817, Britons with 16,017 and Germans with 2,902.
FTSO chairman Osman Çıralı said hosting senior executives from Trip.com, China’s largest travel platform, would help secure further growth.
“We expect such events to significantly contribute to welcoming more Chinese tourists to our region,” he said. “With these events and promotions, the numbers will steadily increase in the coming years.”
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyeye-eylulde-cinli-akini
Cruise Ship “SH Diana” Brings 106 Tourists to Fethiye
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — The Liberian-flagged cruise ship SH Diana docked in Fethiye on Wednesday morning, bringing 106 tourists, mostly Russian nationals, along with 126 crew members.
The 125-meter vessel arrived from Rhodes and moored at Fethiye Port, where passengers disembarked to explore the region. Two tour buses transported groups to popular sites including Kayaköy and Ölüdeniz, while others opted to shop and sightsee in the town center.
Local businesses welcomed the visitors, who contributed to the late-season tourism trade. The ship was scheduled to depart Fethiye for Alanya later that evening.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyeye-sh-diana-kruvaziyeriyle-106-turist-geldi
Fethiye Volunteers Tackle Island Waste for Coastal Cleanup Day
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — Around 110 kilograms of garbage were collected on Kızılada, one of Fethiye’s closest islands and a popular stop for day trippers, during an environmental campaign marking International Coastal Cleanup Day.
The cleanup was led by the Deniz Temiz Association (TURMEPA) with support from the IMEAK Chamber of Shipping’s Fethiye Branch. Participants included members of the Fethiye Kardelen Art Association, local companies and volunteer citizens.
Departing by boat from the Çalış area of Foça, the group spent about two hours clearing the island and its surroundings. The collected waste was carried to boats in garbage bags and later delivered to the Fethiye Municipality Recycling Facility.
TURMEPA official Ersin Özer thanked the volunteers for their efforts.
“We organized an awareness-raising event in and around Kızılada for International Coastal Cleanup Day. I would like to thank everyone who participated and supported this event,” she said.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/kizilada-ve-cevresi-piril-piril-oldu
From the Netherlands to Fethiye: A Journey of Hope for Earthquake-Struck Children
FETHIYE, MUĞLA — Pedaling across seven countries in just over a month, Veysel Baldemir arrived in Fethiye this week after a 34-day cycling journey from the Netherlands — all to honor and support children orphaned by the devastating Hatay earthquake of February 2023.
Baldemir, a 50-year-old expatriate who has lived in the Netherlands for 45 years, undertook the challenge with the Hope4Antioch Foundation to raise awareness and funds for children who lost their families. His route took him through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, and Rhodes before reaching the Turkish coast.
“I cycled for the children who lost their parents,” he said. “Along the way I spoke to people in every country, reminding them of the earthquake and its aftermath. Almost two and a half years have passed, but it must not be forgotten.”
Though illness nearly forced him to abandon the trip early on, encouragement from his wife gave him the strength to continue. “I almost gave up, but her words pushed me forward,” he recalled. “In the end, I met wonderful people and received incredible support from strangers. It was a blessing.”
Donations collected during the ride will be used for education and shelter projects for affected children. For Baldemir, combining his love of cycling with a cause close to his heart made the journey unforgettable.
“This was my way of giving something back to the children,” he said. “I am proud, grateful, and very happy.”
Supreme Court: Child Cannot Take Mother’s New Husband’s Surname
ANKARA — Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled that a child cannot adopt the surname of the mother’s new husband, overturning a lower court ruling it deemed unlawful.
The 2nd Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court reviewed a case from Antalya, where a divorced mother with custody sought to change her child’s surname. She argued that her child, who continued to bear her ex-husband’s name, faced difficulties because of the difference from her own surname after she remarried. She requested that the child take her new husband’s surname, or alternatively, her maiden name.
While a local court initially approved her request, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling “in the interest of the law” under Article 363 of the Code of Civil Procedure No. 6100. Such decisions do not alter the outcome of the individual case but establish principles for future rulings.
The judgment noted that, under Turkish law, a child born within marriage is given the father’s surname. Following divorce, a mother with custody may apply for the child to use her maiden name if it is in the child’s best interest. However, the court emphasized that the surname acquired through a new marriage cannot be transferred to the child.
“The decision to change the minor’s surname to the surname acquired by the plaintiff mother in her subsequent marriage was found to be contrary to procedure and law,” the ruling stated.
Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)
Early Snowfall Blankets Turkey’s High Peaks
ANKARA — Turkey’s towering peaks have received an early winter welcome, as September snowfall blanketed high-altitude areas across eastern and northeastern provinces, while lower western regions continue to enjoy late-summer warmth.
Heavy rainfall in the Black Sea region in recent days caused flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. At higher altitudes, however, the downpours transformed into snow, surprising residents.
In Rize, the Kaçkar Mountains and the 2,640-meter Ovit Pass in İkizdere were coated in white, along with several surrounding highland pastures. In neighboring Gümüşhane, peaks and the Taşköprü Plateau also saw snow as temperatures dropped below freezing overnight. Meteorological data recorded a low of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius at Zigana Ski Resort, though forecasters expect a warming trend in the coming days.
Artvin experienced similar conditions, with rain turning to snow in the highlands. Further east, Ardahan and Kars provinces were hit by early snowfall. In Ardahan’s Sahara Mountain and surrounding plateaus, snow reached up to 10 centimeters, accompanied by thick fog that reduced visibility to just 20–30 meters. In Kars, the highlands of Kağızman and the Sarıkamış Ski Resort welcomed the season’s first snow.
In Trabzon’s Çaykara district, plateaus and the Soğanlı Mountains were also blanketed in snow. Meanwhile, in Bayburt, a sudden snowstorm stranded a shepherd and his flock on a plateau. Provincial teams reached the area after clearing snow-blocked roads, where snow depth reached 30 centimeters, and safely rescued the shepherd.
Residents and tourists in the affected regions were reminded to take precautions, as winter conditions have arrived earlier than usual this year.
Source: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/early-snowfall-blankets-turkiyes-high-peaks-in-white-213867
