An inexpensive holiday choice

The Aegean city of Muğla's Akyaka district is very popular among those who want to spend their holiday in a tent. The camp area, surrounded by pine trees on a 600,000-square meter plot of land, hosts thousands of campers every summer. The cleanliness of the sea and sand contributes a lot to the district's appeal

MUĞLA - Anatolia News Agency

People with low incomes find an alternative holiday option in tents in the forests of Akyaka, a district of the Aegean city of Muğla.

“We make strenuous efforts for the promotion of those untouched beauties on the shores of Akyaka and the tourism potential of the district,” said Akyaka Mayor Ahmet Çalca. Noting that the popularization of tent tourism in Akyaka made both tradesmen and citizens pleased, Çalca said, “There are nearly 600 tents on a 600,000-square meter plot of land in the district. And nearly 20,000 people spend their holidays in these tents.”

He said the cleanliness of the sea and sand contributes much to Akyaka's popularity, adding, “Akyaka is a convenient place to have a holiday. The sea and the beach are in perfect condition. The sun is just as holiday goers want. We have created alternatives for tourists, who want to spend their holidays in the district. The tent camp is a big opportunity for low-income people. Tourists can have their holiday in this camp at reasonable prices.”

Stating that they had a field with an area of 600,000 square meters within the borders of Akyaka, Çalca said a private company owned by the Forest Management Directorate operated the field for tourists. “This place has benefited from regular visitors of Akyaka as a camping area for 35 years. We charge YTL 14 from those who pitch tents here. Tents are either for three-four people or six-seven people. The period from June 15 to Sept. 15 is the busiest one. It is a breezy area, it is surrounded by pine trees. People have a chance to swim in the early hours of the day and do water and nature sports. This area, where up to 600 tents can be pitched, hosts 20,000 people during a season.”

Organic products offered to campers

Çalca said Akyaka also had significance in terms of agriculture, and added that organic products growing in villages were sold in the Akyaka district bazaar and offered to campers.

He said, “Tent holiday is a good opportunity for those who have less income. The camping area presents an alternative holiday for tourists. People from different parts of Turkey and abroad have been camping here for about 35 years. They stay at least three or four months.”

Inform,26.06.2008