SEVERAL proposals and ideas were aired at an annual tourism investment summit for Didim, last week.

The summit, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, attracted junior government ministers from the culture and tourism, environment and urban planning, economy and youth and sports departments, along with AKP deputies.

Didim Mayor Deniz Atabay, along with tourism association members, local investors and chamber of trade members were also in attendance.

In an opening address, Chamber president Şaban Üstündağ, said the conference was primarily aimed at drawing out excellent ideas, solutions to problems in the tourism sector, alternative investment marketing and better promotion of the resort.

Mr Atabay said that while the summit was important, Didim’s citizens wanted to see its results put into action. “Our citizens want to see how much is applied from the results of this summit, what is carried forward and put into effect. “

He said that Didim did not have the strong identity that other resorts, such as Kusadasi, Bodrum and Cesme, have. “We have had plans for ten years, sent to the Ministry of Tourism and I hope they will be approved very soon and we will act accordingly.”

A summary of the main salient ideas from the summit included the need to retain the character of the town; authentic areas should be preserved and pedestrianised; all inclusive hotels should only be established outside the town and areas should only have certain building heights for new construction projects;.

Other ideas included the encouragement of more boutique hotels; history and natural beauty should be preserved; the Ministry of Tourism should establish closer links with the region to increase support and ensure that local products are actively branded.

People working in tourism facilities should get a level of education and be able to show certificates  in the sector;  a reforestation campaign to improve the city’s green areas; a promotion of sports and health facilities were also cited by attendees.

A refurb of dated facades of buildings, more flowers and landscaping; a campaign to break the perception that Didim is a bargain basement tourist resort and to better inform locals of tourism plans were also issues raised.

On a separate, one of the attendees pointed to the falling attendances at the Apollo Temple. In 2013, 38,829 people visited the temple, while only 34,979 visited in 2014, a fall of more than 3,000 visitors.