Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
CHP Fethiye Visits Çalış Boat Cooperative Ahead of Tourism Season
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – Representatives from Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Fethiye paid a visit to the Çalış Boat Cooperative as the region prepares for the start of the new tourism season.
CHP Fethiye District Chairman Mustafa Koyuncu, accompanied by municipal council members, board representatives, and the party’s youth branch, met with cooperative members during their visit to the Çalış area. The delegation was welcomed by Cooperative President Murat Kaçar and the management team.
During the visit, the CHP delegation extended their best wishes for a prosperous and successful season, expressing hope for strong earnings as tourism activity begins to pick up in the region. Conversations also focused on the current state of tourism, broader economic conditions, and the ongoing work of the cooperative.
Speaking during the visit, Mustafa Koyuncu said they are continuing a series of engagements across Çalış, adding: “Today, we met with our friends at the Çalış Boat Cooperative. We conveyed our wishes for both a successful season and prosperous earnings. As always, our discussions covered tourism, the economy, and regional matters. We thank them for their hospitality.”
Murat Kaçar welcomed the visit and expressed appreciation on behalf of the cooperative, thanking the delegation for their thoughtful support ahead of the busy season.
Ölüdeniz Kumburnu Beach 2026 Entrance Fees Announced
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – New entrance and parking fees for Ölüdeniz Kumburnu Beach, one of the most प्रसिद्ध coastal destinations in Fethiye, have officially come into effect as of May 2026.
The updated tariff introduces notable increases across both pedestrian entry and vehicle parking charges, ahead of the peak tourism season in the region.
The new 2026 fees are as follows:
Pedestrian entrance: 150 TL
Car: 750 TL
Motorcycle: 450 TL
Minibus: 1,500 TL
Caravan: 1,500 TL
Small bus: 3,000 TL
Large bus: 4,500 TL
Ölüdeniz Kumburnu Beach, part of the protected Ölüdeniz Nature Park, remains a major draw for both domestic and international visitors, renowned for its calm lagoon waters and striking natural scenery.
The revised pricing structure is expected to impact daily visitors and tour operators alike as the 2026 summer season gets underway.
New Mosque Construction Progresses Rapidly in Cami Mahallesi
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – Construction of a new mosque in Cami Mahallesi is moving forward بسرعة, with local officials confirming that work is progressing quickly on the site.
The new mosque is being built in place of the former Hacı Veli Mosque, which was demolished after core drilling tests revealed that the structure was no longer safe. The decision to replace the building was taken to ensure public safety and provide a modern, secure place of worship for the community.
Officials recently visited the construction site to review progress, accompanied by neighbourhood headman Gürol Kavak. During the inspection, they received updates on the current stage of the build and the timeline for completion.
The project is advancing at pace, with early construction phases already well underway. Once completed, the new mosque is expected to serve as an important place of worship and community gathering point for residents in Cami Mahallesi.
Source: Fethiye Belediyesi
Project Launched to Protect Seagrasses in Bodrum
BODRUM, MUĞLA – A new environmental initiative aimed at restoring and protecting vital seagrass meadows has been launched in Bodrum, with experts warning that failure to act could have serious consequences for the region’s tourism industry.
Marine biologist Mert Gökalp, founder of the Eco Heritage Association, announced the “Green Rangers” project during a press meeting held at the BODTÜM.
Gökalp highlighted findings from the earlier Project Posidonia, which included a comprehensive analysis of Bodrum’s coastline and seagrass coverage. According to the report, around 50% of the peninsula’s coastline has been developed, leading to the destruction of large areas of seagrass meadows. Despite this, approximately 6,500 hectares of seagrass habitat still remain when deeper zones are included.
Describing the ecological importance of these underwater ecosystems, Gökalp said seagrasses play a crucial role in oxygen production, coastal protection, erosion prevention, and providing breeding grounds for marine life. They also help filter pollution and absorb carbon, making them essential in the fight against climate change.
He warned that ongoing environmental degradation is already affecting fishing and water quality, with declining sea vitality and visibility posing a risk to tourism. Gökalp stressed that protecting seagrass meadows is directly linked to the future of Bodrum’s economy, cautioning that without urgent action, tourism could face severe decline within the next five years.
The Green Rangers project aims to address this by combining conservation with active restoration. Plans include training young environmental stewards, restoring damaged seagrass areas, and removing marine waste such as ghost nets and plastics.
Gökalp called for collective action from local communities, institutions, and the tourism sector, emphasising that cooperation is key to reversing environmental damage and securing a sustainable future for Bodrum.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/deniz-cayirlarini-korumak-icin-proje-baslatildi
Fethiye and Istanbul Market Prices Nearly Equal Despite Local Production
FETHIYE, MUĞLA – A comparison of fruit and vegetable prices between Fethiye and district markets in Istanbul has revealed that consumers are paying almost the same prices in both locations, despite much of the produce being grown in the Aegean region.
Fethiye and nearby Seydikemer are among Turkey’s key early-season agricultural hubs, supplying produce to major cities, particularly Istanbul. However, rising fuel prices, increasing production costs, and unfavourable weather conditions are narrowing the traditional price gap between producer regions and urban markets.
At the Fethiye Tuesday Market, tomatoes were selling for around 80–100 TL per kilo, with pink tomatoes at 120 TL and cherry tomatoes reaching 150 TL. Other produce included green beans at 150 TL, courgettes at 50 TL, peppers at 50–60 TL, and cucumbers at 40–50 TL. Fruit prices also reflected the upward trend, with strawberries at 100 TL, bananas at 90–100 TL, and plums climbing as high as 200–300 TL per kilo.
Meanwhile, at the Alibeyköy neighbourhood market in Istanbul, prices were strikingly similar. Cluster tomatoes were priced at 95–100 TL, pink tomatoes between 120–150 TL, and cherry tomatoes at 100–120 TL. Green beans were lower at around 100 TL, while courgettes sold for 50–60 TL and peppers for 60–70 TL. Strawberries reached 120–130 TL, bananas 100 TL, and plums ranged from 150–200 TL.
Traders in Istanbul noted that much of the produce originates from regions such as Fethiye and Antalya’s Kınık district, attributing high prices to transport costs and production challenges. Vendors also reported a shift in shopping habits, with customers increasingly buying smaller quantities as household budgets come under pressure.
The findings highlight how rising costs are affecting consumers nationwide, with prices in production areas now closely matching those in major metropolitan markets.
Turkey Extends Eid al-Adha Holiday to Nine Days for Public Employees
ANKARA – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that the upcoming Eid al-Adha (Qurban Bayram) holiday will be extended to nine days for public sector employees, offering an extended break around one of the most important religious celebrations.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Erdoğan confirmed that additional administrative leave has been granted to lengthen the official holiday period. Eid al-Adha will be observed from May 27 to May 30, with public employees beginning their holiday from the afternoon of May 26.
Under the new arrangement, Monday will be considered a full day off, while Tuesday morning will count as administrative leave, creating a continuous nine-day holiday period.
The extended break is expected to encourage travel and family visits during the holiday period, while also providing a boost to domestic tourism and local economies in popular holiday destinations across Turkey.
Officials anticipate increased movement across the country, as millions take advantage of the extended holiday to visit relatives or travel to coastal and resort areas.
Source: Daily Sabah
Supercell Storm Devastates Pistachio Farms in Southern Turkey
GAZIANTEP – A powerful “supercell” storm that swept across southern Turkey over the weekend has caused widespread damage to pistachio orchards and farmland, raising concerns over major agricultural losses and possible impacts on food prices.
The severe weather system—bringing intense rainfall, hail, and strong winds—disrupted daily life in Gaziantep and surrounding provinces, uprooting mature pistachio trees and damaging thousands of hectares of farmland across Şanlıurfa and Adıyaman.
İbrahim Yumaklı, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, said teams from the state-backed agricultural insurance body TARSİM are continuing field inspections to determine the full scale of the destruction.
Agricultural representatives described the damage as particularly severe for pistachio trees currently in their fruit-clustering phase—a critical stage that will directly impact upcoming harvests. Ahmet Eyyüpoğlu reported that at least 3,000 decares of pistachio fields in Şanlıurfa were affected, noting that the province accounts for nearly 45 percent of Turkey’s pistachio production. Losses were also reported in wheat and lentil crops.
In Gaziantep’s Karkamış district, local agriculture chamber head İdris Bozkurt said all 98,000 decares of pistachio farmland had been impacted, warning that “the harvest of the next two seasons is gone.”
Farmers across the region reported varying levels of destruction, with some villages experiencing total crop loss while others suffered damage of around 30 percent. Broken fruit clusters and damaged buds were among the most common impacts. Around 70 percent of the region’s farmland is said to be insured.
The storm also struck parts of Elazığ, where agricultural officials reported damage across 50,000 decares of lentils, chickpeas, barley, and wheat.
The losses could extend beyond agriculture into the food sector. Pistachios are a key ingredient in baklava, and industry representatives have warned of potential price increases if supply tightens. However, producers say it is still too early to determine the long-term impact on markets.
Source: Hürriyet Daily News
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