Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Fethiye Promoted to European Audiences During Air Games Festival
Fethiye, Turkey – Fethiye’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and tourism potential were showcased to Turkish audiences across Europe during a special live broadcast from Mount Babadağ as part of the 26th International Fethiye Ölüdeniz Air Games Festival.
Aired on Kanal Avrupa, the programme featured Fethiye Mayor Alim Karaca, Fethiye Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kemal Hıra, and Kırtur Group Chairman Kenan Kıran. The discussion focused on promoting Fethiye internationally, expanding tourism beyond the summer months and addressing key projects shaping the town’s future.
Mayor Alim Karaca highlighted the importance of the Air Games Festival in raising Fethiye’s international profile, thanking the former mayors, organisers and other stakeholders who have supported the event throughout its 26-year history.
He explained that promotional activities continue throughout the year, with Fethiye represented at international tourism fairs alongside industry professionals. Following participation in the London tourism fair, further promotional efforts are planned for EMITT and the Berlin tourism fair.
Karaca also highlighted international partnerships aimed at attracting new visitors and extending the tourism season. These include collaboration with India through a yoga festival and ongoing engagement with China through visits and the hosting of Chinese delegations.
He emphasised that Fethiye offers far more than a traditional summer holiday, with its natural landscapes, historical sites, coastline, outdoor activities and cultural attractions appealing to a diverse range of visitors.
The broadcast also highlighted the importance of developing Fethiye as a year-round destination. The Air Games Festival plays a role in showcasing the area’s potential for outdoor and adventure tourism, while international partnerships and new events are intended to attract visitors outside the peak summer season.
With its combination of natural beauty, historical heritage and sporting activities, Fethiye continues to seek opportunities to strengthen its position in the international tourism market.
Future Projects for Fethiye
During the programme, Karaca also discussed infrastructure challenges and future development plans, including the cleanup of Fethiye Bay, urban planning, traffic congestion, parking provision and the proposed relocation of the shipyard.
He stated that work on cleaning up the bay was scheduled to begin in November, following the end of the tourism season. He also identified the development of a comprehensive zoning plan covering 41 neighbourhoods as a key objective.
Karaca noted that Fethiye’s population rises significantly during the summer, increasing from approximately 300,000 in winter to between 700,000 and 800,000 during the peak season. This seasonal increase places additional pressure on local infrastructure and public services.
He said efforts were continuing in cooperation with the Metropolitan Municipality and relevant state institutions to address these challenges and improve quality of life for residents.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyenin-tanitimi-avrupadaki-turk-basininda-yanki-buldu/
Ölüdeniz Tourism Season Ends Below Expectations
Ölüdeniz, Fethiye – Business owners in Ölüdeniz say the tourism season has fallen short of expectations, with visitor numbers declining throughout the summer and some establishments preparing to close for the winter.
The tourism season in world-famous Ölüdeniz is drawing to a close, with local traders reporting a quieter year than anticipated. Despite hopes that the season would extend into the autumn, businesses say customer numbers have remained disappointing, with little sign of an improvement.
Local business owners entered the season with high expectations, anticipating strong visitor numbers and a busy summer. However, traders report that the expected level of activity never materialised, with customer numbers remaining low and business gradually declining as the season progressed.
Overall, traders say they are disappointed with the season’s performance. Many believe that economic pressures and the financial challenges facing businesses, particularly in the restaurant sector, have contributed to the lower-than-expected level of trade. Although some establishments have continued operating to serve visitors arriving in the final weeks of the season, there is little optimism about a significant increase in activity during November.
As the season comes to an end, businesses are beginning to prepare for the quieter winter months, with some already making arrangements to close. For many traders in Ölüdeniz, the season has failed to deliver the results they had hoped for, raising concerns about the challenges facing local businesses as they look ahead to next year.
Fethiye’s Çalış Second-Hand Market Supports Student Education
Fethiye, Turkey – Every purchase at the Çalış Second-Hand Market helps support students with their education, with proceeds from the monthly event going towards scholarships provided by the Fethiye Foundation for Tourism Promotion, Education, Culture and the Environment (FETAV).
Held on the third Saturday of every month in Çalış, the market offers a range of second-hand goods while raising funds to help students with their educational expenses.
Sema Erkol, a FETAV representative responsible for overseeing the market and managing the foundation’s educational initiatives, explained that all proceeds from sales contribute to scholarship payments for students supported by the foundation.
She encouraged residents of Fethiye to visit the market, highlighting its dual purpose of supporting education and encouraging the reuse of pre-loved items.
The monthly market provides an opportunity for the local community to support students while giving second-hand goods a new lease of life.
Residents and visitors are invited to browse the stalls, find a bargain and contribute to a cause that helps young people pursue their education.
Fethiye Fishing Season Peaks as Fish Market Stalls Fill with Fresh Catch
Fethiye, Turkey – The fishing season is in full swing at Fethiye Fish Market, where stalls are stocked with a wide variety of fresh fish, including anchovies, red mullet, sea bass, gilt-head bream, barracuda and bonito.
With supplies plentiful, bonito is attracting particular interest from customers, with fishmongers encouraging seafood lovers to take advantage of the current catch while the season lasts.
Murat Dalca, a fish vendor at Fethiye Fish Market, said many of the bonito arriving at the market had come from the Black Sea. Individual fish currently weigh around one kilogram and sell for approximately 150 TL.
Dalca explained that the high volume of bonito being caught has encouraged some customers to buy in bulk, purchasing 10, 15 or even 20 fish at a time. However, he noted that it remains uncertain how long the current abundance will continue.
Alongside popular varieties such as bonito and anchovies, the market offers locally caught fish, including lopa, which is sourced from the Fethiye region.
According to Dalca, local catches can provide a more affordable option for customers. Lopa is currently available for around 250 TL, and vendors can clean and prepare fish according to customers’ preferences.
Fethiye Fish Market offers more than a place to buy seafood. With 13 fish stalls and 10 restaurants, visitors can purchase fish from their preferred vendor and have it cooked at one of the on-site restaurants.
The cooking service costs approximately 150 TL per person, giving customers the option to enjoy freshly prepared seafood at the market.
Dalca also advised customers to consider buying extra fish while supplies are plentiful, explaining that fresh fish can be cleaned and frozen for later use.
He said the fish sold at the market generally arrives fresh rather than flash-frozen, and vendors can prepare purchases for customers who wish to store them at home.
With a wide selection of seafood available, Fethiye Fish Market is offering plenty of choice for local residents and visitors looking to enjoy the fishing season.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-balik-hali-nde-balik-bollugu-palamutta-stok-zamani/131754/?p=3
Three Killed and Five Injured in Coal Mine Explosion in Northern Turkey
Zonguldak, Turkey – Three people have been killed and five others injured following a firedamp explosion at a private coal mine in the Kilimli district of Zonguldak, northern Turkey, on Friday morning.
The explosion occurred at around 10:00 in the Dereiçi area of Gelik, prompting an emergency response involving the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), medical teams and firefighters.
Eight people were reported to have been inside the mine at the time of the explosion. Two miners were initially confirmed dead, while five others were taken to hospital with injuries. Following several hours of search-and-rescue operations, teams recovered the body of a missing miner, bringing the death toll to three.
Zonguldak Governor Osman Hacıbektaşoğlu visited the injured miners in hospital and received updates on their condition.
According to the governor, two of the injured miners were conscious, while two others had been intubated due to burns. One injured person was transferred to Ankara for further treatment, with arrangements being made to transfer another.
Authorities also confirmed that rescue teams had reached the remaining miner inside the mine, although their condition had not yet been definitively established at the time of the governor’s statement.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that an urgent investigation into the explosion had been launched by the Zonguldak Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
One deputy chief public prosecutor and two public prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the incident.
Authorities have not yet released further details about the cause of the explosion. The investigation is continuing as officials work to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Source: Daily Sabah
Ancient Byzantine Amphorae Discovered Off Turkey’s Ayvalık Coast
Ayvalık, Turkey – Ancient amphorae dating back around 1,500 years have been filmed at a Byzantine shipwreck off İncirli Island in Ayvalık, following the reopening of the underwater site to diving tourism under the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Heritage for the Future Project.
Underwater documentary producer and cinematographer Tahsin Ceylan, diving instructor Ata Akyol and Coast Guard diving teams explored the site, documenting the historic pottery vessels alongside the area’s diverse marine life.
The team descended to a depth of 24 metres, capturing images of amphorae that remain from the Byzantine-era shipwreck, as well as corals, seagrass meadows and other underwater wildlife.
Ceylan described the dive as a journey through history, noting that although fewer amphorae remain at the site than when it was documented in previous years, the surviving artefacts continue to offer a valuable glimpse into the past.
The dive also revealed how marine life has become part of the historic landscape. Corals belonging to the threatened species Eunicella cavolini have settled on several amphorae, while an octopus was spotted using one of the ancient vessels as a den.
Ceylan said the combination of archaeological remains and marine biodiversity makes the site an appealing destination for underwater exploration.
The reopening of the shipwreck site forms part of wider efforts under the Heritage for the Future Project to develop underwater tourism in the region.
The decision has also been welcomed by diving centres operating in Ayvalık, which see the site as an important attraction for visitors interested in underwater archaeology and marine life.
With its combination of ancient history and natural beauty, the shipwreck offers divers an opportunity to explore a submerged piece of the region’s past while discovering the rich ecosystem that has developed around it.
Source: Daily Sabah
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Fethiyespor Appoints Former Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray Player as Assistant Coach
Fethiye, Turkey – Fethiyespor has announced its coaching staff, with former Turkish international footballer Şener Özbayraklı joining the club as assistant coach under head coach Mustafa Ceviz.
Özbayraklı, a former right-back who represented both Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray during his playing career, is moving into coaching as he takes on a new role with the Fethiye-based club.
Özbayraklı joined Fenerbahçe from Bursaspor in 2015 before moving to Galatasaray in the summer of 2019. He also represented Turkey at international level during his professional career.
His appointment brings experience from some of Turkish football’s biggest clubs to Fethiyespor as the team looks ahead to the challenges of the season.
The club has confirmed the following coaching team:
- Head Coach: Mustafa Ceviz
- Assistant Coach: Şener Özbayraklı
- Athletic Performance Coach and Assistant Coach: Melih Ergün
- Goalkeeper Coach: Mehmet Varlıer
- Analysis Coach: Kemal Kanatlı
The announcement marks a new chapter for Özbayraklı as he begins his coaching career with Fethiyespor.
Source: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiyespor-un-teknik-ekibinde-fenerbahce-den-tanidik-bir-isim/131750/
Ziraat Turkish Cup
The team will host Eyüpspor on Wednesday, 28 October, with kick-off scheduled for 15:30 at Fethiye District Stadium.
Match Results
No league games for Fethiyespor this weekend. The team drop to 14th position in the league table.
League Matches
Fethiyespor will play away against Trabzonspor on Sunday 1 November. Kick-off time is 13:00
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, new signings, matchday updates, and community discussions.
You can also follow Fethiyespor on Twitter and Instagram
Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 66.47 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 66.00 TL.
The US Dollar bought 49.69 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 49.51 TL.
The Euro bought 55.67 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 55.65 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
