The news report in the press regarding the subject is as follows: Antalya Deputy Sadık Badak proposed that public access be granted to hotels operating in the region through the Mediterranean Tourist Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB). Deputy Sadık Badak made a proposal regarding the Konyaaltı Coast, which the Antalya Defterdarlığı (Provincial Treasury Office) had granted to Konyaaltı Municipality in 1999 under the build-operate-transfer model, which the municipality had then allocated to a private company, and which was vacated upon the expiration of the contract.
ERKAN MUMCU HAD PROPOSED IT FOR THE FIRST TIME
Badak recalled the model developed in 1999 during Erkan Mumcu's tenure at the Ministry of Tourism regarding the 300,000 square meter area located on the 5-kilometer long coastal strip on Akdeniz Boulevard, which involved 6-square-meter kiosks, 60-80 square meters of sun loungers and umbrellas in front of the kiosks, 80-100 square meter gaps in between, and the cleaning of these areas to be carried out by the kiosks. However, stating that in this model, the kiosks illegally transformed into casinos reaching up to 150 square meters over time and harmed the public conscience, Badak cited the model applied on the Alanya coast—where usage is much more intense and rapid compared to Konyaaltı Beach—as an example for Konyaaltı. Badak stated that the coast given to the municipality in Alanya is operated through the Alanya Association of Tourism Professionals (ALTİD).
‘ALANYA SOLVED THIS ISSUE YEARS AGO’
Badak said, “The usage permits for the beaches on both the Cleopatra and Gazipaşa sides have been transferred from the Treasury to the municipality for 29-30 years, and the municipality has leased them to ALTİD via a council decision. ALTİD leases them along the beach to interested businesses within the framework of determined principles. The terms of the contract are 6-square-meter kiosks, toilets, sun loungers, umbrellas, and the cleaning of areas open to daily public use. There are nearly 30 hotels with tourism business certificates in Konyaaltı. An association formed by these hotels through AKTOB could also be established. I am of the opinion that this model can be implemented in Konyaaltı through these hotels. The important thing here is to find a sustainable solution that will further facilitate daily public use, ensure kiosks do not turn into illegal structures, and allow daily control to be provided at a local level. Whether it is done through the Metropolitan Municipality, the Konyaaltı Municipality, or the Special Administration. This is an example before us. We have also obtained contract samples. Of course, it should not be an allocation to hotels, but rather in the form of usage permits open to the public.”