An open letter to Didim Council

Jean Button, LETS Group owner

Since attending the meeting in April for expats I have written some of my thoughts regarding how everyone can work together to improve the Didim, Akbuk and Altinkum areas for everyone.

The resort does not seem any busier than last year if anything our feeling is there are less holiday makers.  If there are more they are staying in the All Inclusive hotels which do not support the businesses in the locally economy. 

The situation for businesses I feel will become worse due to the new residency rules.  I know a sizable number of expats have already left and many more are in the process or considering their positions. These people are the main supporters of business that stay open all year round.

Given the fact that things are not improving I feel there needs to be a change of emphasis for the resort maintaining the status quo is not enough.

Suggestions:

Short term

A new website that gives people a clearer picture of all the positives about the area.  What they can do.

This could be linked to a Face book page and even Twitter.

Tourist information – this needs to have a better location, possibly on the promenade, lots of leaflets and someone to advise people

Medium Term

Get local businesses involved to get a vision for the future

Promote a wider range of activities – walking trips, history of the area, ecology of the area, use the Marina more – this will also help extend the season

Find what grants are available – support businesses in bidding for them

Attend a wider variety of holiday shows to promote the new vision  – e.g Destination Show in UK

Change the perception of the area ‘rip-off’ culture.  Only allow licenced estate agents – control planning.  Why build more houses if many still stand unsold? – this creates a negative image.

Give retrospective habitation to people (including pools) where builders have disappeared. 

Pursue builders who have not completed the correct processes. In the future apply rules strictly. No new permissions given until issues from previous builds are sorted out.

Improve the promenade and attract more people. 

Ideas to encourage more to leave hotels

Evening craft market along promenade

Licensed street entertainers: get a range of acts

Stage for entertainment – English and Turkish music, dancing – publish and promote a programme

Licence a range of food sellers 

Link Marina to rest of the resort – idea small train from Marina along main beach to second beach – encourage more people to go to all parts of the resort

Transport to Apollo Temple – many holiday makers do not even know it is there