In Kisebükü Bay near Bodrum, one of the most remarkable destinations for “blue voyages,” a luxurious tourist facility with 450 beds is reportedly in the works. However, an extraordinary protest was staged against the plan during earlier this month.

Environmental activists in their boats arrived in Kisebükü to protest the plan and to celebrate World Bays Day, which is celebrated June 8 every year with the decision of World’s Most Beautiful Bays Union. Galip Gür, the vice president of the union and tourism business leader, said: “We do not object to tourism facilities, we just object to the location of the construction.” The protest was organized by Bodrum Branch of Sea Trade Chamber, Mariners Association and Blue Way Initiative. They chose the slogan “Let’s save Kisebükü and save our future” to draw attention to the possible destruction of the Bay. Around 2,000 people in 80 boats participated in the protest. Also, representatives of 33 countries sent supportive messages. 

Folk song altered

Gür, Mariners Association Chairman Mustafa Demiröz and artists such as Akrep Nalan and Feraye participated in the demonstration. During the demonstration, folk songs were modified for the situation. For instance, the lyrics of a Turkish folk song were turned into, “Investor built a hotel in the protected area, and did you see what happened to the bays? Investor built golf course in the agricultural area and did you see who grabbed the stick? Do you think it was free? I bought it with my vote.” 

Demiröz said “blue voyages” had become famous for the region since the 1960s. Claiming that the facilities to be constructed on these famous bays would negatively affect tourism, Demiröz said: “We dispense with bays, nature and historical beauty in Gökova for the sake of money. Even if we try to protect them, the state is on the side of the profit. I do not understand, is there an accommodation deficiency in tourism? We do not need these facilities. Kisebükü is much more valuable untouched.” 

Tunç Kurtoğlu spoke on behalf of the environmentalists and said Kisebükü was a very important settlement with various cultural and historical riches. Also, he pointed out that there were a lot of historic trees. Both archaeologically and naturally, Kisebükü is important and unnecessary facility construction is unacceptable, he said. 

Beautiful hotels vs beautiful nature

Gür said when tourists see the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, they do not appreciate the beauty of hotels but appreciate the beauty of nature. He said they were against all kinds of construction attempts on these bays.

On the other hand, 10 villagers from Kisebükü staged a counter demonstration on the coast where the hotel would be located. They were holding banners saying, “The Bodrum dream is coming true, support the hotel,” “No dark mentality, support the hotel” and “You will also benefit from this project.” Environmentalists responded, saying, “They are deceiving you, beware!” After almost six hours, the environmentalists returned to Bodrum’s port.