With rising interest in tourist ship travel, investments to boost Türkiye’s share in the global cruise tourism market have gained momentum.
Tourism is a critical source of income for Türkiye, which, over the years, has injected vast investments to ensure its ports can host luxury mega-sized ships as it’s seeking to become a premier cruise destination.
The number of cruise passengers hosted by Türkiye in the first 10 months of the year surpassed 1,393,000, showing a 51% spike compared to the same period last year, according to information obtained by Anadolu Agency (AA).
Fethiye Cruise Port Project
The holiday resort of Fethiye in Türkiye’s southwestern Muğla province gears up to enhance its global cruise tourism market with the initiation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for its upcoming cruise port, according to a report on Friday.
According to the information in the EIA application file, the port planned to be built in Fethiye’s Babataşı neighborhood is set to have a usage area of 27,588 square meters (296,954 square feet).
The port will feature a 355-meter-long (1,164.67-foot-long), 50-meter-wide quay allowing ships to dock on both sides and a 136-meter-long and 50-meter-wide rear service area. The quay would be able to accommodate ships of 360 meters in length and 55 meters in width.
Hosting passengers equal to two-thirds of population
The cruise port planned for Fethiye, with a population of approximately 178,000, is expected to serve 120,000 passengers and 100 ships by 2030.
By 2043, with an increase of 10 ships and 10,000 passengers a year, the target is to reach 250,000 passengers and 230 ships docking here.
The total cost of the project is set at TL 925.65 million (around $32 million) and the entire investment and operating costs will be covered by the investing company.
Public participation meeting
A Public Participation Meeting will be held on 21/12/2023 in accordance with Article 9 of the EIA Regulation, in order to inform the public about the project and receive their opinions and suggestions.
Those who want to review the EIA Application File can review the report at the Ministry Headquarters or MUĞLA Provincial Directorate of Environment and Urbanization as of the announcement date and express their opinion about the project to the Ministry or Governorship within the timing calendar.
Information regarding the place and time of the Public Participation Meeting can be obtained from the General Directorate of EIA Permit Inspection and MUĞLA Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
Sources: Daily Sabah/Muğla Gazetesi
