2006 Update!!
Okay, Turunc has developed and grown more user friendly to the tourism industry - no two ways about that. The village would appear to be more geared to tourism on the surface - but has it lost it's charm?? Has it been over developed by the lure of a quick Dollar/Lira??
For sure there are some winners in this game of tourism development - but not a great many are locals - they are probably more likely to be the Financiers & Property Developers from Istanbul & Ankara!!
We now have to pay for our sun loungers on the beach. Agreed, only a small sum in real terms, but never the less an additional cost to tourists! Is the beach any cleaner for this payment? Not really!! Does it help to provide any emergency services / life guard services? I dont think so? So what does it do - other than provide someone with a job? Answers on a postcard please!! Oh and another question here - why do some people pay and others don't? Something to do with Nepotism I suspect!!
The rickity old wooden bridge has been removed and we now have an up to date Bailey Bridge in its place!! Part of the character of the village was the walk over the bridge!! The childrens play area has been finally finished and a Kiosk / Cafe put in place - how about putting is some tables and chairs so we can enjoy a tea / coffee and watch the world go by!!
The fields where we used too see locals tilling the land have disappeared and been replaced by building developments, apartments and swimming pools - some not within keeping of good taste I might add!! Many of these buildings / developments are unfinished, remain empty and will proably remain so for quite a while!!
More boats from Marmaris / Icemeler bring tourists in to the resort, Whilst this may be great from a commercial viewpoint it can be a little over bearing at times and creates an artificial impression of Turunc.
Estate Agents within the resort have created a wonderful artificial property price structure - aimed mainly at the European market!! Very similar to what has been seen in other parts of Europe - which has resulted in some communities failing completely and the Estate Agents / Property Developers moving on to the next targeted community victim!! You even get them in the Bars at all hours - hustling for the next unsuspecting couple that awaits there charms!!
Instead of buying property out there, of which there is an abundance of (empty & unfinished), some people have been rather astute and gone down the long term rental road. I know of some people who have done 10 & 12 year agreements on this basis. This money up front and sign on the dotted line agreement might suit some people who don't have the courage to make the commitment of real emigration
You only have too look around and see the empty developments to see that all is not well with the strategy of build and develop for tourism development sake. Any sort of tourism is only sustainable by an adequate supply of tourists willing to come in to the resort and spend.
For that too happen you have to have a Marketing Strategy for Tourism & a Sustainable Development Plan that works in conjunction together - not the present one of build, build and have empty apartments all over the place!!
Marketing Turunc successfully, is the responsibility of each business owner, the municipal council members and the community as a whole - not just a select few! A sustainable tourism plan needs to be identified and developed with all major tour operators from UK & Europe - get them to contribute to some of the costs of running the resort and things will change for the better. It's called Stakeholder Involvement!!
There will always be the need to make compromises in any successful tourism strategy - especially in a resort like Turunc - but the outcome should be that all within the community gain and prosper. I'm not so sure that is the case with Turunc. There will always be divides in any community, wherever in the world - Turunc included. This has further been compounded by an increase in non turkish joining the community.
Much could be learnt and gained from the influx of outsiders who have recently joined the community. Many of whom will be quite happy going about there daily lives in quasi retirement with the knowledge that they have financial security, a high standard of living at low cost, in a wonderful setting to boot and have the ability to return back home at the end of the Summer Season!!
Turkey has tried hard to stablise the TL. in recent years - but this has meant some serious hikes in the Tourism & Leisure Marketplace. I am not sure that the sensible prices and value for money rule can still be applied in Turunc. You could until recent times always get a good deal in all restaurants within Turunc, whatever the time of season. Prices were always comparable to a certain degree - but I have to say this is no longer the case. You could get a decent meal (3 Course) for 2, with drinks and Coffee and Brandy for £17.00 / £20.00 prior to devaluation. You'd be hard pressed to get a decent one for £25.00 / £30.00 now!!
Turunc is still comparatively cheap in terms of cost of living and housing compared to U.K & Europe. Without question it is attractive to an awful lot of Europeans who wish to settle there for a variety of reasons. Turunc has experienced this over the past few years. It has bought some unique issues to the fore of community living - with some locals enjoying the finanicial benefits these people bring and with many seeing cultural changes. There are more Non Turkish business owners established - some very successfully, which again has bought about change - and perhaps some of these changes aren't welcomed by all!
There are now bars which have become focused on servicing British holiday-makers only. If I wanted to drink in an imitation of my local I wouldn't get on a plane and fly 4 hours in an eastwardly direction for a Quiz Night!! Turunc is in grave danger of becoming a one horse trick resort!!
There is even a Fish & Chip Shop in the resort - and they really do great meals if this is what you want!!
At the begining I poised the question of whether Turunc had lost some of it's charm? I think it has lost some of its charm - without doubt - the quirkiness of wandering along the roadside and coming across a table with Honey / Jam / Olive Oil being displayed with an honesty box for cash has disappeared!!
The disappearance of Market Stalls, Goats, Sheep and Hens roaming about all over the place has been replaced by new property developments all over! The friendliness of the locals is diminishing - all now appear to be concentrating on the next opportunity to move onwards and upwards!!
It cannot be developed anymore, and hopefully it will sort itself out regarding its present set of development problems. Is it worth going to? Well that all depends on what your expectations are - the Old Turunc has definitely gone - the newer version needs to settle and establish some foundations!! If you are looking for a cheap holiday then there are better places to go to! If, on the other hand you want to have a chill out holiday Turunc still offers that - Just about!!