Welcome to our pick of last week’s news from Fethiye and around Turkey.
Curated from various news sources.
NEWS
Babadağ Ultra Marathon Starts with 1,000 Athletes from 15 Countries
Fethiye, MUĞLA – The 4th Babadağ Ultra Marathon has officially begun in Fethiye, bringing together approximately 1,000 athletes from 15 countries for a spectacular event that blends nature, history, and sport. Organized in collaboration with the Turkish Athletics Federation, Fethiye District Governorship, Fethiye Municipality, and Babadağ Cable Car, the marathon continues to grow as an international sports tourism attraction.
This year’s event includes around 1000 athletes from countries such as Turkey, England, Russia, Belgium, Ukraine, Norway, Poland, Spain, Bermuda, Austria, and Finland. The race takes place across the stunning Fethiye–Ölüdeniz–Babadağ–Kayaköy route, offering participants a unique opportunity to compete along sections of the world-famous Lycian Way.
Starting from the Belcekız area of Ölüdeniz, athletes are competing across multiple stages designed to test endurance and skill. The first day featured the 56K and 30K races, alongside the 15K Skyrunning Dragon and 26K Downhill stages. With challenging terrain and breathtaking coastal and mountain views, the races delivered high-paced and competitive moments.
Event General Coordinator Serkan Özdemir highlighted the growing international profile of the marathon, stating: “We aim to make the Babadağ Ultra Marathon an international brand by improving it every year. Bringing together Fethiye’s natural and historical beauties with sports is a great source of pride for us.” He also noted that foreign participation has increased from 5 percent last year to 8 percent this year.
One of the most striking stages, the 26K Downhill course, begins at the summit of Babadağ following a cable car ascent, before descending towards Ölüdeniz. Around 100 athletes were reported to be progressing towards the finish line during this stage.
Beyond competition, the event plays a key role in promoting the region’s natural and cultural heritage. Combining the turquoise coast of Ölüdeniz, the historical atmosphere of Kayaköy, and the dramatic summit views of Babadağ, the marathon offers participants an unforgettable experience while contributing significantly to regional sports tourism.
The marathon features six main stages: 5K Ölüdeniz Run, 14K Kayaköy History Run, 15K Skyrunning Dragon, 26K Downhill, 30K 1922, and 56K Babadağ Ultra. In addition, a special Children’s Run with 150 participants aged 7–10 is being held as part of National Sovereignty and Children’s Day celebrations.
Sources: https://www.gercekfethiye.com/fethiye-de-15-ulkeden-1000-sporcuyla-buyuk-bulusma-babadag-ultra-maratonu-basladi/120782/ Fethiye TV
Long-Standing Road Issue in Kayaköy Resolved After 40 Years
Fethiye, MUĞLA – A major infrastructure problem in Kayaköy, one of Fethiye’s most well-known neighbourhoods, has been resolved following the completion of long-awaited road construction works. The project has addressed a road issue that local residents had faced for approximately 40 years.
The newly completed works include extensive upgrades, with a significant portion of the road covered in hot asphalt, while the remaining section is being finished with cobblestone paving. The improvements have also widened the road in places to between 10 and 12 metres, making travel safer and more accessible for both residents and visitors.
To mark the milestone, Kayaköy Neighborhood Headman Şenol Öztürk held a small ceremony and thanked all institutions and officials involved in the project. Expressing his appreciation, Öztürk said the road had been in poor condition for decades and that the work carried out has significantly improved daily life in the area.
Öztürk highlighted the contributions of Ahmet Aras and Alim Karaca, noting that the project progressed with strong institutional support. He added that the final 100-metre section of the road is nearing completion and will soon be fully open to the public.
Officials from Fethiye Municipality, including Deputy Mayors Veli Uysal and Metin Sevinç, visited the site to inspect the completed work and thanked Headman Öztürk for his efforts throughout the process.
Speaking during the visit, Uysal emphasised the importance of Kayaköy as a tourism destination, stating that improved road infrastructure would enhance access for both domestic and international visitors. Sevinç described the project as “a great achievement for the region,” highlighting the collective effort of municipal teams and officials.
The upgraded road also improves connections between Kayaköy and nearby areas such as Hisarönü, where poor road conditions had previously caused difficulties for residents and tourists alike.
With the completion of the works, the project is expected to contribute not only to local quality of life but also to the continued development of tourism in the Fethiye region.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/kayakoyun-yol-sorunu-cozuldu
Visitor Numbers Rise in Ölüdeniz as Summer Season Approaches
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Activity is increasing in Ölüdeniz, one of Fethiye’s most popular tourism destinations, as the summer season draws closer. Rising temperatures have brought a noticeable influx of visitors, with beaches becoming increasingly crowded and tourism businesses finalising their preparations.
Known as the region’s tourism showcase, Ölüdeniz is once again preparing to welcome both domestic and international tourists. Hotel occupancy rates are steadily rising, signalling a strong start to the season, while restaurants and travel agencies are getting ready to host guests at full capacity.
Interest in key attractions such as Kumburnu Beach and the paragliding runway on Babadağ is further boosting activity in the area. Visitors are drawn to the region’s combination of natural beauty, turquoise waters, and panoramic views.
Local businesses report that preparations for the new season are largely complete, with expectations high for a busy summer period. With its unique landscape and well-established tourism infrastructure, Ölüdeniz is set to remain a favourite destination throughout the coming months.
Tourism Leader Warns Turkey Is Becoming a More Expensive Destination
Fethiye, MUĞLA – Cenk Şimşek, President of the Fethiye Çalış Association, has stated that rising costs are affecting Turkey’s competitiveness in the global tourism market, warning that the country is increasingly being perceived as an expensive destination.
Speaking about current developments in the sector, Şimşek highlighted significant increases in airfare, accommodation, and food and beverage prices, noting that these factors are influencing the travel decisions of foreign tourists.
“Everyone attributes this to the war with our neighbour, but I don’t want to interpret it that way,” he said. “We all travel abroad and see for ourselves—Turkey has become an expensive country.”
Şimşek explained that, as a result of rising costs, some tourists are turning to alternative destinations such as Bulgaria, Italy, and Egypt, which have recently attracted increasing numbers of visitors.
Despite these challenges, Şimşek emphasised that Turkey remains a strong tourism destination with significant advantages. He pointed to the natural and cultural richness of regions like Fethiye, noting its long tourism season and unique appeal.
“Turkey is a very beautiful country. Fethiye has approximately 350 days of sunshine. Our climate, sea, history, and people are invaluable,” he said. “Our only hope is to make better use of these strengths and attract tourists back to our region.”
Şimşek’s remarks reflect growing concern within the tourism sector about maintaining competitiveness while preserving the quality and appeal that continue to draw visitors to Turkey each year.
Commonwealth Nations Commemorate Gallipoli Fallen at Cape Helles
Çanakkale, TURKEY – Representatives of Commonwealth nations gathered in Çanakkale to mark the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign, honouring fallen soldiers with a solemn ceremony at the Cape Helles Memorial.
The commemoration, held at the southern tip of the Gallipoli Peninsula, brought together diplomats, military officials, and descendants of those who fought in one of the most significant chapters of World War I. The ceremony paid tribute to the sacrifice of tens of thousands of soldiers from across the world.
At the Cape Helles Memorial, the main Commonwealth monument on the peninsula, representatives laid wreaths at the base of the 30-metre obelisk bearing the names of more than 20,000 personnel with no known grave. The ceremony emphasised remembrance as well as reconciliation, reflecting how a former battlefield has become a symbol of international friendship.
Speakers highlighted the enduring message of peace and unity that has emerged in the decades since the conflict. Turkish officials joined Commonwealth representatives, echoing the words attributed to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who described fallen foreign soldiers as “our sons” resting in a friendly land.
Among those attending were Jill Morris and Clare Brosnan, who read poetry reflecting on the human cost of war. UK Defence Attaché Jim Torbet also shared accounts connecting past sacrifices with modern military service.
Representing the host nation, Ömer Toraman laid a wreath on behalf of Turkey. Delegations from countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, India, Canada, France, Germany, Pakistan, and South Africa also participated.
The Gallipoli Campaign, which began in 1915, resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties. For many Commonwealth nations—particularly Australia and New Zealand—it remains a defining moment in the formation of national identity.
The ceremony concluded with personal tributes and a strong display of international unity, reinforcing Gallipoli’s legacy as both a place of remembrance and a symbol of lasting peace.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Turkey Introduces New Social Media Rules to Strengthen Child Safety Online
Ankara — Turkey has introduced new social media regulations aimed at enhancing protections for children and young users, aligning with measures already adopted in countries such as Australia, France, Greece and Portugal.
The new framework focuses on improving child safety, increasing platform accountability, and ensuring faster intervention against harmful online content.
Under the regulations, minors under the age of 15 will not be permitted to register on social media platforms. Companies will be required to implement effective age verification systems, while also offering age-appropriate services specifically tailored for users aged 15 and above.
Stronger parental control measures are also being introduced. Platforms must provide tools enabling parents to manage account settings, approve or restrict in-app purchases, and monitor or limit screen time. In addition, companies will be required to take steps to prevent deceptive or harmful advertising, particularly content targeting minors.
The rules also impose stricter deadlines for content moderation. In urgent cases involving national security or public safety, large platforms must comply with content removal or access-blocking orders within one hour. These obligations will apply particularly to platforms with more than 10 million daily users in Turkey.
To prevent repeated violations, social media companies will be required to use artificial intelligence and automated systems to ensure that previously removed illegal content is not re-uploaded. They must also comply with stricter data-sharing requirements, providing requested information to authorities within a maximum of 15 days, and conduct regular risk assessments on the societal impact of their services.
A tiered enforcement system has been introduced for non-compliance. Platforms that fail to meet obligations within 30 days of receiving an administrative fine may face an advertising ban. Continued violations could result in court-approved bandwidth reductions of up to 90 percent, significantly limiting access within Turkey.
The regulations also extend to gaming platforms. Games must be properly age-rated, with those classified under the highest age category restricted to adult users only. Foreign-based gaming platforms with more than 100,000 daily users in Turkey will be required to appoint a legal representative in the country and comply with official requests within set deadlines. Similar parental control tools will also be mandatory.
The new measures aim to create a safer, more transparent, and accountable digital environment, with a particular emphasis on protecting minors and maintaining public order. The regulations will come into force six months after their publication in the Official Gazette.
Source: Anadolu Agency
Turkey Introduces Seven-Step School Security Framework Following Recent Attacks
Ankara — Turkey is moving to recalibrate its national security approach around schools following recent violent incidents, introducing a comprehensive framework that combines physical security measures with psychosocial monitoring, digital oversight and stronger institutional coordination.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced the strategy during a media briefing, stating that recent attacks in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa are being treated not as isolated events but as broader systemic risks requiring coordinated intervention across multiple institutions.
At the centre of the initiative is a seven-step national security model designed to standardise prevention, detection and response mechanisms across the country. The framework includes updated risk and threat assessments, strengthened physical infrastructure, early warning systems, continuous monitoring protocols, enhanced coordination between counselling services and law enforcement, inter-ministerial cooperation, and expanded emergency preparedness training.
Authorities plan to implement the framework nationwide across all 81 provinces through directives issued to governorships. Schools will undergo detailed, risk-based reassessments, examining student movement patterns, transportation routes, potential blind spots and environmental threats in surrounding areas. Law enforcement presence will also be increased during peak hours, particularly at school entry and exit points.
The strategy extends beyond school grounds, with increased surveillance and patrols planned for nearby locations such as parks, abandoned buildings, internet cafés and gaming halls—areas identified as potential risk zones for students.
Each school will establish a dedicated security board consisting of the principal, a guidance counsellor, a local law enforcement representative and a social services specialist. These boards will meet regularly to assess risks, coordinate responses and ensure alignment between education, security and social support services.
In addition, monthly “school safety” meetings will be introduced, replacing the previous biannual system, signalling a shift toward continuous monitoring and proactive risk management.
Officials say the new framework aims to create a safer school environment while addressing risks more holistically, combining security measures with social and psychological support systems.
Source: Daily Sabah
SPORT
Thank you to Brian Lloyd for the Fethiyespor update.
Match Result
Fethiyespor drew their last game of the season against Mardin 1969 Spor on Saturday. The final score was 0-0.
Fethiyespor finishes the season at 13th place in the league table.
Stay connected with all things Fethiyespor — join the Fethiyespor Yabancilar Facebook group for breaking news, matchday updates, and community discussions.
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Turkish Lira (TL) exchange rates
The British Pound bought 60.90 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 60.64 TL.
The US Dollar bought 45.00 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 44.84 TL.
The Euro bought 52.75 TL by the close of business on Friday. The week before it was selling for 52.79 TL.
Source: exchangerates.org.uk
Weather Forecast
Here’s your weather forecast for the week ahead.
Source: Living Earth
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