Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
Women Hold Night March in Fethiye for International Women’s Day
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Women in Fethiye held a night march to mark International Women’s Day on March 8, drawing attention to women’s rights and the fight against violence.
Participants gathered in front of the No. 1 Health Center before marching along Atatürk Street to the Özer Olgun Cultural Center, carrying banners with messages including “Judge Violence, Not Women,” “Our Bodies Are Our Own,” and “If There Is No Secularism, There Is Darkness.”
Additional banners read “We Will Destroy the Patriarchate, We Will End Poverty” and “There Is Violence Within the Family, There Is Life Outside.” During the march, participants also chanted slogans calling for an end to violence against women.
The march took place under extensive security measures provided by teams from the Fethiye District Police Department. The event passed without incident and concluded with a press statement delivered by the women at the end of the march.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-kadinlar-gece-yurudu
Fethiye Immigrants Association Distributes Clothing to Members During Ramadan
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The Fethiye Immigrants Social Solidarity Association distributed second-hand clothing to its members during the month of Ramadan, offering support to families ahead of the upcoming holiday.
Clothing collected from various shops and local residents was made available at a stand set up in front of the association’s building. Members were invited to visit and select items free of charge.
Association President Kerem Kocatepe announced the initiative through social media, encouraging members to benefit from the support.
Throughout the day, families chose clothing suitable for themselves and their children, with many expressing happiness as they prepared for the approaching holiday celebrations.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-muhacirler-derneginden-uyelerine-giysi-destegi-1
Earthquake Warning for Fethiye After Buldan Tremor as Energy Accumulation Claim Raises Precaution Calls
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A warning about possible seismic activity around Fethiye has gained attention after a social media post by NATDER member Mehmet Balcı, who had previously predicted the recent earthquake in Denizli’s Buldan district 125 days earlier.
Following the Buldan earthquake, which was also felt in nearby areas including Nazilli, Balcı shared a new message highlighting what he described as an accumulation of energy in the seas around Fethiye and along the Muğla coastline.
In his post, Balcı addressed residents living in coastal areas, saying there was no immediate reason to panic but advising caution in the coming period.
“There is nothing to fear for those living on this line, but there is an energy accumulation here in the coming period,” he wrote. “If you are on the coast during a possible earthquake, even if you have five kilos of gold on the beach, leave it behind. Just take yourself and go directly to the mountains and high places.”
A map shared alongside the message showed a wide area covering Fethiye, Ölüdeniz, Dalaman and Göcek, indicating what Balcı described as a significant build-up of energy both offshore and along the coastline.
Experts continue to stress the importance of preparedness in earthquake-prone regions. Citizens are advised to prepare emergency kits, create family emergency plans and be aware of safe evacuation routes. In coastal areas, authorities recommend moving to higher ground if a strong earthquake occurs.
Iranian Tourist Crisis Hits Aegean Tourism as 70% of Reservations Cancelled Ahead of Nowruz
Bodrum, MUĞLA – Tourism in Turkey’s Aegean region has been hit by a sharp decline in Iranian visitors ahead of the Nowruz holiday period, with sector representatives reporting that around 70% of reservations have been cancelled and flights from Iran have stopped.
According to tourism industry sources, tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have begun to affect travel plans, significantly reducing the number of Iranian tourists expected to visit the region. The drop is estimated to have reduced incoming tourism by nearly 70%.
Hamdi Artuk, a board member of the Bodrum Representative Board of the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB), said the developments have directly impacted the tourism sector, particularly in destinations popular with Iranian visitors.
“Tourism activity from Iran normally begins during the Nowruz period,” Artuk said. “However, this year celebrations will not take place in the usual way. Many hotels in our region will delay their opening. Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye will be seriously affected.”
Artuk noted that although the Iranian market typically relies on last-minute bookings, this year had started with strong early reservations. However, the situation changed rapidly.
“We had received a significant number of advance bookings this year, but after the recent developments, about 70% of reservations were cancelled and all flights were stopped,” he said.
Last year, around 120,000 Iranian tourists visited Turkey during the Nowruz period, with many travelling to İzmir, Antalya, Van, Istanbul and Muğla. Popular coastal destinations such as Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye attracted a large share of these visitors.
Artuk said the industry could lose as much as 80–85% of that number this year.
“Currently, approximately 80% to 85% of those 120,000 tourists are missing from the market,” he said. “Since flights are not operating, travel is only possible by land routes. It will likely start with buses, and we expect tourism activity to resume around mid-April.”
Zero Waste Foundation Launches Efforts to Restore Eber Lake in Turkey Amid Environmental Crisis
Afyonkarahisar, Turkey – Eber Lake, one of Turkey’s most important wetlands and a key freshwater source for the region, is facing significant environmental challenges due to prolonged drought and uncontrolled agricultural irrigation.
The lake, located between the districts of Çay, Bolvadin and Sultandağı, has historically supported diverse fish and bird populations and remains central to the ecological and economic life of surrounding communities.
On Sunday, the Zero Waste Foundation launched a field program at Eber Lake, combining environmental assessment with a call for broader cooperation to protect the ecosystem. Samed Ağırbaş, president of the foundation and COP31 High-Level Climate Champion, announced initiatives aimed at restoring the lake’s ecological balance, including rehabilitating waterways and reintroducing fish populations.
The foundation’s engagement with Eber Lake follows directives from First Lady Emine Erdoğan, founder and honorary president of the Zero Waste Foundation. Ağırbaş highlighted ongoing environmental pressures, noting that plastics and waste now surround the lake and many waterways are dying, threatening the habitat of over 140 bird species and local fisheries.
Covering more than 140 square kilometers, Eber Lake remains a vital freshwater and ecological resource, with efforts now underway to preserve its biodiversity and restore its natural balance.
Tazlar Village in Afyonkarahisar Celebrated as Model for Smoke-Free, Addiction-Free Living
Afyonkarahisar, Turkey – Tazlar village, home to 370 residents in the Sinanpaşa district of western Turkey’s Afyonkarahisar province, has been celebrated as a model of healthy living after being designated the province’s “Most Green Crescent-Friendly Village.” The community has maintained a smoke-free environment and remained free from other addictions for decades.
Located 49 kilometers from Afyonkarahisar city center and 16 kilometers from Sinanpaşa, Tazlar has drawn attention for its long-standing anti-smoking tradition, which dates back to 1928 when village elders first enforced a ban. Today, the village continues to prohibit smoking, alcohol consumption, and gambling.
Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş and Turkish Green Crescent President Mehmet Dinç visited Tazlar on March 2 to congratulate residents on their efforts to promote addiction-free living.
Arif Kavas, head of the Green Crescent Afyonkarahisar Branch, told Anadolu Agency that Tazlar serves as an inspiring example for other communities across Turkey. “When cigarettes don’t enter a village, bad habits don’t enter either,” he said.
Village head Hidayet Ünal emphasized the importance of maintaining this tradition, noting that inspections by the Green Crescent confirmed the village’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle. “We are proud to be declared the ‘Most Green Crescent-Friendly Village,’” he said.
Residents shared their pride in Tazlar’s clean, smoke-free environment. İsmail Kaya said, “There is no coffeehouse in our village. People gather in village rooms to chat, and no one smokes here. The only smoke comes from our chimneys.” Ömer Çetinkaya added, “We take pride in setting an example for children and young people and breathing clean air every day.”
Tazlar village’s dedication to an addiction-free lifestyle continues to inspire communities across Turkey, showing the impact of long-term commitment to health and wellbeing.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
Lycian Way Leads Turkey’s Nature and Adventure Tourism Boom in 2025
Antalya, Turkey – The Lycian Way has emerged as the crown jewel of Turkey’s nature and adventure tourism, attracting tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors with immersive outdoor experiences, according to Mikail Köreoğlu, head of Nature and Adventure Tourism at the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB).
Speaking to reporters, Köreoğlu highlighted that hiking dominates Turkey’s nature tourism sector, with the Lycian Way in southwestern Antalya receiving the highest interest. “Nature and adventure tourism is a relatively new but rapidly growing sector in Turkey,” he said. “Globally, this trend has developed over the past 20–25 years, and younger generations, in particular, are seeking ‘experience tourism’ that goes beyond traditional sightseeing.”
Köreoğlu, also a mountain and nature guide, emphasized that Turkey offers a wide range of activities, from cycling, rafting and rock climbing to canyoning, kayaking and trekking, with more than 650 nature-based experiences available across the country.
Hiking remains the most popular activity, particularly along the Lycian Way, which combines stunning natural landscapes with cultural heritage, attracting an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 hikers annually. Cycling is also growing in popularity along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts and in Cappadocia, while mountain climbing draws adventure seekers to peaks such as Mount Ağrı, the Kaçkars and the Aladağlar. Rafting hotspots include Manavgat’s Köprüçay, Fethiye’s Saklıkent, the Dalaman River, Bolu’s Melen River and the Fırtına River in the Black Sea region. Rock climbing, especially at Antalya’s Geyikbayırı, is among the top five activities, with lodges near climbing areas often fully booked by foreign tourists.
Köreoğlu stressed the economic advantages of nature and adventure tourism compared with mass tourism. “Boutique nature tourism may seem niche, but when spread across different regions and throughout the year, Turkey possesses enormous potential. While all-inclusive mass tourism packages cost roughly 550–700 euros per person per week, nature and adventure tourists typically spend 2,500–3,000 euros per week, supporting local communities directly and contributing significantly more to the economy.”
The Lycian Way and other nature-based activities are expected to continue driving Turkey’s tourism growth in 2025, attracting travelers seeking authentic experiences and sustainable adventure.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
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