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Fethiye Times Midweek Edition – Thursday 12th February 2026

Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.

Curated from various news sources.

World Quit Smoking Day Seminar Raises Awareness in Fethiye

Fethiye, MUĞLA – As part of World Quit Smoking Day, Dr. Neslihan Azizoğlu and Dr. Hacer Dağdeviren hosted an informative seminar for local residents at the Özer Olgun Cultural Center, focusing on the health risks of smoking and effective ways to quit.

The event brought together citizens eager to learn more about breaking free from tobacco addiction. During the session, the two doctors explained how smoking impacts the heart, lungs and overall quality of life, while also highlighting the immediate and long-term benefits of quitting.

Dr. Azizoğlu and Dr. Dağdeviren shared practical advice on managing cravings, coping with withdrawal symptoms and accessing professional support. Participants were encouraged to seek medical guidance and make use of available cessation programmes to improve their chances of success.

The seminar formed part of wider activities marking World Quit Smoking Day, aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the number of smokers in the community. Organisers said the strong turnout reflected growing awareness of the importance of quitting and living smoke-free.

Source: Fethiye Belediye

Another Price Increase for Gasoline, Approaching 60 TL

Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fuel prices, which have been climbing steadily since the beginning of the year, are set to rise once again. A new increase of 1 lira 55 kuruş per litre of gasoline is expected to take effect from Thursday.

Following the hike, the price of gasoline in Fethiye is forecast to reach 58.23 TL per litre, bringing it closer to the 60 TL threshold. The latest rise adds further pressure on motorists already dealing with high fuel costs.

Industry observers say ongoing fluctuations in global oil prices and exchange rates continue to influence domestic fuel prices, making further volatility likely in the coming weeks.

Drivers and businesses alike are expected to feel the impact of the latest increase, particularly in transportation and logistics, where fuel remains one of the biggest operating costs.

Source: Fethiye TV

Scale Seal Inspection Conducted at Fethiye Tuesday Market

Fethiye, MUĞLA – Fethiye Municipality Police teams carried out a scale seal inspection at the Tuesday Market as part of the mandatory checks conducted every two years to ensure accuracy in measuring and weighing devices.

During the inspection, teams from the Fethiye Municipality Police Department examined the scales used by market vendors one by one, verifying whether they complied with current regulations. Scales with missing or expired seals were identified, and the vendors concerned were issued with warnings. Devices found to be in line with the rules were resealed on the spot.

Officials said the aim of the inspections is to protect consumers, prevent unfair profits and ensure that citizens can shop with confidence. The checks also help maintain transparency and trust between vendors and customers.

The municipal police reminded stallholders of the importance of having their measuring and weighing instruments inspected regularly and of complying fully with legal requirements. They added that inspections will continue at regular intervals across local markets.

Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-sali-pazari-nda-terazi-muhur-kontrolu-yapildi/116212/?p=2

Police Intervene in Illegal Motorcycle Race in Fethiye

Fethiye, MUĞLA – Traffic police intervened in an illegal motorcycle race on Osman Kaya Boulevard, Fethiye’s ring road, following a tip-off reporting modified exhausts, missing license plates and dangerous riding that was putting lives and property at risk.

According to information received, the incident occurred on February 9, 2026, at around 10:30 pm, when authorities were alerted that motorcycles were racing, creating excessive noise and endangering other road users. Teams from the Fethiye Traffic Control Bureau were immediately dispatched to the area and carried out a targeted patrol along the boulevard.

During the operation, motorcycles identified as taking part in the race were stopped and inspected. As a result, action was taken against four motorcycle riders, while eight individuals who were standing by the roadside and obstructing traffic to watch the race were also fined under the relevant regulations.

In addition, the driving licences of three riders were permanently revoked, and four motorcycles were impounded. It was also confirmed that legal proceedings have been launched against the four riders under Article 179/2 of the Turkish Penal Code for endangering traffic safety.

Authorities stated that inspections and enforcement operations will continue without interruption to prevent similar incidents that threaten public safety and disturb public order.

Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-de-abarti-egzozlu-ve-plakasiz-motosiklet-yarisina-polis-mudahalesi/116241/?p=2

Demolition of Illegal Beach Structures Begins in Bodrum

Bodrum, MUĞLA – The demolition of structures illegally built along the coastline in Bodrum has officially begun, as authorities move to reclaim public beach areas in the Kumbahçe neighbourhood.

Teams from the Bodrum District Governorship, Bodrum National Real Estate Directorate, Bodrum Municipality and the Bodrum Regional Port Authority entered Paşatarlası Beach today to start the operation. Police units were deployed to provide security as the evacuation and demolition of makeshift buildings constructed without permission got underway.

In addition to the land-based structures, moorings that had been illegally placed in the sea are also being removed as part of the coordinated effort to restore the coastline.

Officials stated that all unauthorised constructions in the area, extending as far as Mahfel Cafe, will be cleared. The operation aims to protect public access to the beach and ensure the coastline is used in accordance with the law.

Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/bodrum-da-yikim-basladi/116231/

Turkey Sets New Tourism Records with 64 Million Visitors in 2025

Ankara – Turkey welcomed 64 million tourists in 2025 and generated $65.2 billion in tourism revenue, marking a record-breaking year despite ongoing geopolitical challenges in the region, according to the head of a leading tourism non-profit.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Monday, Erkan Yağcı, Chairman of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED), said Turkey has once again proven itself to be “a truly powerful tourism country in the world.” Compared to 2024, the number of tourists increased by 3 percent, while tourism revenues rose by 7 percent.

“2025 was a year when we achieved the highest tourism figures,” Yağcı said, noting that Turkey became the fourth most visited country globally, according to data from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Despite regional uncertainties, Yağcı said the sector entered 2026 with optimism. “While we are aware of the geopolitical challenges facing our region, we started 2026 with hope and believe we will close the year with figures slightly above last year’s,” he said. “The Turkish tourism sector is crisis-resistant, and as long as we continue to do our best, we will once again achieve record revenues and visitor numbers.”

Yağcı stressed that one of the sector’s main goals is to spread tourism across all 12 months of the year and throughout the country. “We aim to ensure that tourism is not limited to the summer season, but also includes winter and off-season periods,” he said.

He added that efforts are continuing to develop alternative tourism areas such as sports and conference tourism. Conference tourism, he noted, is particularly active during the winter and spring months, while Antalya regularly hosts major national and international events.

According to Yağcı, Antalya will host several high-profile events in 2026, including the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 17–19, the 77th International Astronautical Congress on October 5–9, and the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 on November 9–20.

“It is highly significant that such prestigious events are being held in the tourism capital of Turkey,” he said, adding that Antalya ranks among the world’s top 10 cities in terms of tourist capacity.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey Faces One of the Worst Droughts in 50 Years

Istanbul – Turkey endured one of the most severe droughts of the past half-century in 2025, with experts warning that the country’s water shortage is no longer temporary but has become chronic and structural under the impact of climate change.

According to the 2025 Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) maps released by the Turkish State Meteorological Service (MGM), the 12- and 24-month drought indicators are at alarming levels across much of the country. The SPI, a key drought-monitoring tool recommended by the World Meteorological Organization, has dropped to –2 or lower in wide areas, signalling severe drought.

Professor Mikdat Kadıoğlu from Istanbul Technical University’s Department of Climate Science and Meteorological Engineering told Anadolu Agency that Turkey experienced one of the harshest droughts in the last 50 years during 2025.

“A clear water deficit is carrying over from one year to the next across much of the country. This signals the new normal under climate change,” he said.

Kadıoğlu explained that consecutive years of low rainfall have weakened soil moisture retention, pushed groundwater levels below critical thresholds and increased the risk of sinkhole formation. While short-term three-month SPI maps reflect immediate weather patterns, he stressed that the 12- and 24-month maps are far more important because they directly affect reservoirs, groundwater, agriculture and the wider economy.

“These longer-term maps now show widespread red and black zones across Turkey,” he said.

As of August 2025, around 70 percent of Turkey’s land area was classified as being under severe or worse drought on the 12-month SPI map, creating what experts describe as a persistent drought belt stretching across the country.

The impact has been particularly severe in major cities. In Istanbul, home to more than 15.7 million people, rainfall in June 2025 was just 0.5 millimetres — a 99 percent drop compared to long-term averages. Reservoir levels at times fell to around 30 percent, with later reports indicating even lower levels as water stress continued.

Ankara and the wider Central Anatolia region recorded their lowest rainfall in 65 years, while the capital itself experienced its driest period in 47 years, seriously affecting agriculture and water supplies.

Kadıoğlu also pointed to heavy agricultural losses in Thrace, in north-western Turkey, where sunflower yields fell by up to 90 percent and seed oil content declined due to extreme heat stress.

“Turkey’s water budget is now running a chronic deficit on 12- and 24-month scales, and this gap cannot be closed with traditional methods,” he warned. “The transition between drought and abundance is becoming sharper and more extreme.”

He stressed that urgent water conservation, climate-resilient farming practices and long-term, basin-based water management policies are no longer optional but essential for the country’s future.

Source: Anadolu Agency