Hatay will heal its wounds with tourism

Hatay, destroyed by the earthquake, will heal its wounds with tourism. In the city, which is the center of gastronomy and cultural tourism, studies have begun to bring sea tourism to the fore. ULIKAD President Ömer Niziplioğlu suggested that instead of dumping the rubble on agricultural land in Hatay, it should be used in the construction of a cruise port.

Cities trying to heal their wounds after earthquakes are putting forward new plans to highlight strategic sectors. At the "Reconstruction and Urban Planning Meeting" held in Istanbul regarding Hatay, one of the cities most affected by the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, the importance of urban tourism for the future of the city was highlighted in order for the region to rise again. Speaking at the meeting, Hatay Tourism Development and Restructuring Commission and National Ömer Niziplioğlu, President of the Economic Think Tank (ULİKAD) said, "Long-term projects will save us. Today, there is an income of 15-20 billion dollars in Antalya. Today, there is an income of 15-20 billion dollars in Antalya. We should make plans that will contribute to sea tourism by considering Hatay, Adana and Mersin in a holistic way. If we can make these places a tourism city, it will be the most important reason for our foreign trade deficit to be closed with 5-10 billion dollars income. If we develop it in the future and go to Urfa and Mardin for cultural tourism, it will be a salvation for us."

"Two Dubai's can emerge from Hatay”

Underlining that cruise tourism should be considered in the Mediterranean Region for the revival of the Turkish economy, Niziplioğlu said, “Tons of rubble heaps that cover a large area are thrown onto agricultural land in Hatay. Let's use the waste materials on the beaches after cleaning. Let's make cruise ship ports. Because there is something called Eastern Mediterranean tourism. You see, Cruise ships pass to Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, and then they turn away. However, we have many touristic places to show in Turkey."

Stating that the easiest way for Hatay to come to life and become a center of attraction is to revitalize sea tourism, Niziplioğlu said, “African countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, especially Spain, France and Italy, are also making great gains from sea tourism. Dubai attracts 30 million tourists with 45 kilometers, generates 45 billion dollars in income, and becomes a country that does not need oil revenues by making settlements on the Palm Island side. However, Türkiye only benefits from Antalya's sea tourism. While Dubai has 45 kilometers of coast, the distance between Arsuz and Samandag is 50 kilometers. Samandağ Beach is the longest beach in Turkey and the 12th longest in the world. When Yayladağı and this part of Arsuz are included, two Dubai's emerge from Hatay.”

Noting that Hatay needs to be re-planned, Niziplioğlu said that the city should be built on Mount Amanos.

1 million of the city with a population of 1.5 million emigrated

Ömer Niziplioğlu stated that in Hatay, where the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş caused great destruction, most of the population left the city. Niziplioğlu said, “There are no people living in Hatay. With the disaster that spread over an area of 500 kilometers, 1 million people migrated from Hatay with a population of 1.5 million. Hatay is an important city and an ancient civilization. Hatay has just a name right now, but it does not have itself."

Investment delay in Cappadocia Talking about Niziplioğlu Holding's investment plans, Hatay Tourism Development and Restructuring Commission Chairman Ömer Niziplioğlu said, “We cannot look forward to investment at the moment, since there is no equity in the banks in the economic conjuncture. We are considering an investment in Cappadocia, but it seems like it will be delayed for 1-2 years, varying between 75-100 million dollars in total."