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One-third of Turkey-Greece heritage sites are under maritime threat

According to a new study, more than half of the historical sites along the coastlines of Turkey and Greece may face a 'very high' or 'high' risk of being submerged by the end of the century due to rising sea levels. Rising sea levels are caused by global warming, which leads to the melting of more ice sheets and glaciers. Some locations, such as the island of Delos near Mykonos, have already begun to suffer structural damage due to increasing flooding. This island, listed as a World Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), was one of the most significant religious sanctuaries of the Greek and Roman worlds. More than one-third of the historical sites in the Aegean are under threat from rising sea levels. The study, conducted by geologist Enes Zengin from Dumlupınar University's Department of Urban and Regional Planning, used data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report. Enes Zengin created "flood risk maps" in five different categories ranging from very high to very low, based on global and local sea level rise predictions. The study assessed the vulnerability of 464 historical sites along the Eastern Mediterranean coasts of Turkey and Greece. It was concluded that 147 archaeological sites, castles, fortifications, towers, bridges, necropolises, or ruins along the coastline would be at some level of risk within the next 50 years, even under the best-case scenario. Of the 464 sites analyzed, 34 were found to be at "very high" risk, 19 at "high" risk, and 27 at "medium" risk. The areas in Turkey most at risk include the ancient cities of Knidos and Kaunos in southern Muğla and the ancient port city of Elaia in Bergama, İzmir. These sites could be partially or completely submerged by the end of the 21st century with just a one-meter rise in sea levels. The study shows that a three-meter rise scenario would put many more areas at risk, including the Port of Ephesus, Miletus, and the Güvercinada Castle in Aydın, as well as the ancient cities of Olympos and Patara in Antalya. In Greece, the ancient cities of Sissi, Pavlopetri, and Lokris are considered to be at "very high" risk. Although these findings are concerning, the study reveals that 317 sites would remain safe even under the worst-case scenario of a five-meter rise in sea levels. Enes Zengin, one of the authors of the study, stated, "To ensure the long-term success of these studies and protect humanity's shared cultural heritage, it is crucial to prioritize the implementation of these measures in high-risk areas as soon as possible." Zengin also added, "Rapid action is needed to mitigate potential threats such as natural disasters, human-made catastrophes, and other factors that could pose risks to cultural heritage resources."

High prices are not just in Bodrum: Mykonos and Santorini are on the decline

According to news reports from the Greek press, the islands of Mykonos and Santorini continue to experience losses during the tourism season. In June, Mykonos saw a 3.4% decrease, hosting 91,800 international tourists, while Santorini experienced a 0.2% decline, welcoming 121,753 visitors. Since international flights resumed in March, Mykonos has continued the season with a 64.8% drop and has seen a 5% decline over the season. Santorini, like Mykonos, started the season with a 39.7% decrease in March and ended with a 1.1% reduction. This situation has led operators to lower their prices, but these efforts do not seem to be enough to completely change the negative trend. Hotel owners on Mykonos indicate that although prices have been reduced in response to the downturn, it is unlikely to fully correct the unfavorable situation. While it is noted that Greece as a whole has had a good tourism season, the situation for Mykonos and Santorini is not reflected in the same way by business owners and statistics.

Our quality is far above Greece

Prices at Accommodation Facilities Haven't Increased in a Year Müberra Eresin, President of the Turkish Hoteliers Association (TÜROB), stated that prices at accommodation facilities in Turkey have not increased for a year. Regarding hotel accommodation prices, Eresin said, “The contracts we currently have with foreigners (prices) are the same as those we made last year. The tourism and accommodation sector in Turkey is operating at last year's prices. However, as you know, there has been no increase in exchange rates. Therefore, this puts us in a bit of a tight spot. In an inflationary environment, it seems as if your earnings have remained the same. You cannot change the contract with foreigners. The current issue faced by hoteliers is that prices remain the same as last year.” “Please go to the hotels and have a meal” Eresin pointed out that the prices of tourism-certified facilities in Turkey are approved a year in advance and said, “Then you cannot increase that price.” She noted that the fact that hotel prices are at the same level as last year is evidenced by reports from international organizations. “It is evident there too. Our average room prices are the same in both foreign currency and TL. My advice is this: Please go to the hotels and have a meal. You will see the prices at the hotels,” she said. Addressing the topic of some Turkish citizens going to Greece for vacations, Eresin stated that Turkey and Greece are not comparable countries and continued: “The service you get in Greece, the hotel you stay in, people know what they will find when they go there, and they accept it and go. However, if you offered that service or had such hotels in Turkey, which you don’t, really… As Turkey, we rank high in the world in terms of hotel quality and service quality. When those guests come to Turkey, they would not accept the service they see there because their expectations are different. In Greece, food, drink, and sea standards are different, but in Turkey, you feel very good. You enter a different building. It's not like that in Greece.” Tourism Sector Mid-Year Results Evaluating the first half-year results in the tourism sector, Eresin said they expected higher figures but noted that despite all the global events, there was no decline in the number of arrivals to Turkey. Increase Expected After the Tournament Eresin pointed out that the period after the Olympics should not be considered the end of the season. She noted that September, October, and up to November 15 are the most important months of the year in terms of occupancy, with high-priced business during these months. “It has been sold in advance. Those guests are world travelers. Tourists with higher income levels travel until mid-November. Therefore, an increase after the tournament is certain,” she said. Regarding the expected increase percentage, Eresin said, “We expect it to be above last year's levels. The figures show us that.”

EU Issues 'Tourism' Warning to Greece

Greece's Tourism Success Faces EU Sustainability Warning Nicosia – Greece has achieved historic success in tourism during the summer of 2024, enjoying the revival of tourism after a difficult economic period. Reports from Greek media highlight developments in the sector. However, the European Union (EU) has issued a warning that the recent 'boom' in Greece's tourism sector may not be sustainable. According to Brussels, Greece's tourism industry is overheating, which could lead to unwanted developments over the next decade. Record Tourism Boom According to Kathimerini, Greece continues to gain popularity among European tourists. Previously achieving significant numbers in the tourism sector, Greece is now the 4th most preferred destination in Europe according to the European Travel Commission (ETC), marking a 6% increase from the previous year. The summer of 2024 has seen a notable rise in tourist spending, particularly from American visitors. Tourism Momentum Across Europe Greece's tourism momentum is closely tied to broader trends in Europe. The economic news site Oikonomos Tahydromos reports that tourism spending across Europe is expected to reach 800 billion euros in 2024. Referencing a recent Bloomberg report, the site noted that tourist spending in Europe is anticipated to reach record levels post-COVID-19. The report indicates that 75% of European travelers plan to travel between May and October 2024, with a focus on Mediterranean destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece. Intra-European travel trends are also on the rise. Sustainability Concerns However, recent figures and expectations from the European and Greek tourism industries have raised concerns among EU officials. According to Skai.gr, a new European Parliament (EP) study suggests that the current tourism model is unsustainable and that Greece's tourism sector faces a risk of collapse within the next decade. Experts have highlighted the pressure of excessive tourist flows on water and energy resources and the difficulties in preserving cultural and historical sites. Santorini at Risk, Resources Depleting New reports focusing on Greece’s tourism issues particularly highlight infrastructure and environmental problems in destinations like Santorini due to overcrowding. Skai.gr's report notes that Greece's water resources are nearing depletion in many areas, energy consumption, especially in hotels, has reached critical levels, and there are challenges in preserving historical sites. Additionally, alternative accommodation options like Airbnb are negatively impacting local demographics, with residents struggling to cope with high living costs. EU Recommendations The European Parliament's new report emphasizes the need for Greece to manage its tourism sector sustainably in the future. Given that tourism constitutes 25% of Greece's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), developing a sustainable tourism model is crucial. Experts recommend implementing specific restrictions during peak tourist seasons, encouraging alternative types of tourism, and directing tourism revenue towards projects that improve local welfare. Eduardo Santander, CEO of the European Travel Commission, also suggested that enhancing the appeal of less popular destinations could lead to a more balanced distribution of tourist traffic. 3.5

Turkish tourism professionals take action against Greece

The disappointment experienced in holiday resorts that have exceeded a 90% occupancy rate in the past two years and the long queues to get to the Greek islands have mobilized tourism professionals. Tourism professionals in the Aegean Region have decided to demand the removal of the visa application at the border for the Greek islands. Greece, which aims to attract Turkish holidaymakers to its islands through the visa-on-arrival application, has achieved its goal with the start of the tourism season. Turkish holidaymakers formed long queues to get to the Greek islands. On the other side of the coin, Turkey's popular holiday resorts remained empty. Many holiday resorts, especially Bodrum, Çeşme, and Datça, are much quieter compared to previous years. Tourism professionals attribute this quietness to three main reasons: The European Football Championship reduced the number of tourists coming from Europe, and activity will begin after EURO 2024.The high cost in the accommodation and food sectors has made favorite holiday resorts less attractive to holidaymakers.The visa-on-arrival application for the Greek islands and the fact that Greece is cheaper than Turkey affected tourist numbers. Looking at the numbers, both cheaper holiday opportunities and the visa-on-arrival application have led to a significant increase in the number of domestic tourists going to Greece. As a result, Turkish tourism operators, who do not want to lose more domestic tourists to Greece, have decided to demand the removal of the visa-free travel application to Greece. Cancellation of the visa-on-arrival will revitalize the Aegean Region Tourism professionals, especially those in the Aegean Region, are preparing to demand the cancellation of visa-free travel and the visa-on-arrival application to the Greek islands. Turkish tourism operators argue that the removal of the visa-on-arrival application will particularly revitalize the tourism sector in the Aegean Region. At the upcoming meeting, various alternative solutions will be presented to lift the visa-on-arrival application for the Greek islands. Additionally, issues such as reaching Turkey's tourism sector targets in terms of tourist numbers and tourism revenue, the potential for job creation, and increasing tourism diversity will be discussed.

Growing backlash against mass tourism: "This is not tourism, it's an invasion"

In popular European tourist destinations like Spain, Italy, and Greece, there is growing backlash against mass tourism. In Spain's Mallorca island, a protest against mass tourism on Sunday ended with police intervention. Activists at Es Caló des Moro, one of Mallorca's dream coves, protested the overcrowding of beaches, chanting slogans like "tourists out" in an effort to reclaim the beaches for locals. Activists from the group Mallorca Platja Turu hung banners saying "Ocupem les nostres plages" (Let's occupy our beaches!) and "És ben hora d'aturar" (It's time to stop). Police created barriers between activists and tourists amid heightened tensions at the beach. NEED FOR CONTROL On May 27th, fifteen thousand people in Mallorca protested the increasing number of tourists with banners saying "tourists go home" and "Mallorca is not for sale." Locals expressed their displeasure with the influx of tourists by booing them during the demonstration. The organizing group, Banc del Temps, attributed rising rents and prices to the tourism boom and announced their intention to continue protests. Mallorcans are not only concerned about high prices but also about the noisy entertainment style of tourists. Groups advocating for tourism control are urging authorities to restrict property sales to foreigners. On July 21st, a mass protest is planned in the Balearic Islands, emphasizing that the island and its beaches cannot sustain such high levels of tourism. Activists underscored their ongoing fight against mass tourism, stating "Menys turisme, més vida" (Less tourism, more life). The Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain located in the middle of the Mediterranean, include islands like Menorca, Mallorca, Cabrera, Ibiza, and Formentera. In Venice, Italy, famous for its canals, there are also reactions against the influx of tourists. The historic city, unable to handle the increasing crowds, has begun to collect a landing tax from daily visitors. ONLY GOVERNMENTS BENEFITTING In Barcelona, frequent protests with slogans like "Tourists go home" and "This is not tourism, it's an invasion" highlight concerns that uncontrolled tourism is driving up prices in the city, benefiting governments but adversely affecting local residents with increased costs and exorbitant prices. There is criticism that mass tourism worsens rather than improves the situation for local residents. Protesters also point out that mass tourism contributes to environmental and ecological damage.

The municipality is starting ferry services to Greece

During the summer months, life in the Aegean region thrives significantly more compared to other seasons. With its sea, beaches, natural beauty, and archaeological richness, it is a magnet for both local and foreign tourists. That's why I focus my efforts on this region to keep you informed about new projects and municipal initiatives aimed at tourism. This week, my first stop was Aydın. With the start of the tourism season, there's a significant influx into the Aegean region. Especially due to visa-on-arrival arrangements, thousands of Turkish tourists travel to the Greek islands during the 9-day Eid al-Adha holiday. Let's see what the mayors in the Aegean are planning for this summer season. I spoke with the mayors about their projects and measures for the summer season. Aydın, where I started, is one of the richest regions in Turkey in terms of tourism. Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu, also known as 'Topuklu Efe,' shared two upcoming projects with Milliyet Newspaper. The first and most important project is the launch of regular ferry services from Kuşadası to the Greek island of Patmos (Batnaz Island, known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean' and considered a sacred island). This initiative by Aydın Metropolitan Municipality will open up new tourism routes for Kuşadası, one of our country's most important tourism centers. The second route involves sea bus services planned between Didim, Turgutreis, and Bodrum. These sea bus services will offer fast and comfortable transportation for both locals and foreign tourists traveling between Didim, Turgutreis, and Bodrum. This aims not only to increase tourism activity in the region but also to provide an alternative to the traffic congestion on highways during the summer months. We will see how the demand will be for these two ferry projects. Let's wait and see together... As soon as I left Aydın Metropolitan Municipality, I headed straight to the center of Efeler Municipality. I also asked President Anıl Yetişkin, who once served as the Bar Association president in Aydın, about their new projects for the upcoming term. President Yetişkin said, 'We are the central municipality and we already fulfill our primary duties. Right now, what I want most is to make our district a more renowned city and encourage travelers on the highway to visit and explore our district.' City connecting continents My adventure in Aydın continues. Visiting Aydın without stopping by Kuşadası would be incomplete. Kuşadası is a city connecting continents, known for its cruise ships – floating hotels. Upon entering the city, I immediately called Mayor Ömer Günel of Kuşadası. As usual, he was walking the streets of the city, assessing what improvements are needed or what can be done. I joined him on his rounds. Mayor Günel mentioned a series of measures related to tourism. He emphasized their utmost concern for ensuring that both local and foreign tourists visiting the city do not encounter any issues, especially by holding discussions with all the local businesses. I will provide more details about Mayor Günel's projects in the coming days... Free umbrellas and sunbeds After a brief conversation with President Yetişkin, I set off for Didim. Didim truly boasts some of Turkey's most beautiful beaches. I inquired about the condition of the beaches from Mayor Hatice Gençay. Mayor Gençay informed me, 'We do not tolerate any encroachments on our beaches. Additionally, this year we have made umbrellas and sunbeds free for our people on the beaches so that they can have a better season. The public has been very pleased with this initiative.' I have visited Didim many times in the past, and during this visit, it was immediately noticeable how much the town has benefited from a woman's touch. I wholeheartedly congratulate Mayor Hatice for her efforts.

In 2023, Greece welcomed a record number of tourists

According to the report of the Bank of Greece, Greece was visited by 32.7 million tourists in 2023. This marked a record number of tourists, surpassing the 31.35 million tourists who visited Greece in 2019 before restrictions were imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The bank stated in its announcement, "Compared to 27.835 million travelers in 2022, tourism in 2023 increased by 6% to reach 32.735 million travelers." These data do not include sailing data other than those recorded by border patrols. Tourist traffic from EU countries reached 19.64 million people in 2023, representing a 6% increase compared to 2022. Tourism from non-EU countries saw an increase as well, with tourism from the United Kingdom rising by 2.4% to 4.591 million travelers, and tourism from the United States increasing by 29.2% to 1.406 million travelers. However, tourist flow from Russia decreased by 1.0% to 35,700 people. Tourism revenue in 2023 increased by 15.7% compared to 2022, reaching €20.459 billion. Residents of EU countries accounted for €11.158 billion of tourism revenue. Among non-EU countries, revenue from the United Kingdom increased by 5.8% to €3.307 billion, while revenue from the United States remained stable at €1.367 billion. The bank noted that revenue from Russia decreased by 20.8% to €32.8 million. Due to European sanctions against Russia, Greece suspended flights with Russia, leading Russian tourists to enter the country through third countries such as Turkey, Serbia, Egypt, and the UAE. The escalating pressure on Russia by the West regarding Ukraine has led to an increase in electricity, fuel, and food prices in Europe and the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that encircling and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy of the West, and sanctions have seriously harmed the global economy. According to him, the West's main goal is to worsen the lives of millions of people. The Russian Federation has repeatedly expressed its intention to solve all the problems created by the West for Russia.

Greek Minister: Year-round Visa on Arrival

The Greek delegation, led by Greek Minister of Tourism Olga Kefaloyanni, currently on official visits in Turkey, held a meeting with the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) in Istanbul. During the meeting, Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloyanni mentioned the recently signed cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. Addressing the visa on arrival issue for ten Greek islands this year, Kefaloyanni expressed her satisfaction with the continuation of the visa on arrival program throughout the year starting in March. She emphasized the cultural significance of the program for fostering tourism activities and facilitating interaction between the people. Kefaloyanni also stressed the importance of sustainability in tourism, stating, "For us, sustainability in tourism is essential, not just seasonal tourism. I believe our efforts should be focused on achieving this goal." "We expect it to cover other islands." TÜRSAB President Firuz Bağlıkaya stated, "Our mutual tourism traffic is around 500,000 tourists. We are making every effort to increase this capacity as much as possible. On behalf of all travel agencies and our Association, I express my gratitude for the visa on arrival application for Greek islands. Of course, we hope that this practice becomes permanent. Additionally, I would like to express our expectation for the extension of the visa on arrival application to cover other islands to facilitate cruise tours."

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