Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş: “We cannot turn a blind eye to unlicensed bungalows.”

Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş emphasized the importance of controlling and taxing the rapidly increasing number of bungalows in the Fırtına Valley region, stating that the environmental waste from the bungalows is a significant concern. He mentioned, “With just one-time usage by the guests, approximately 250-300 liters of wastewater is discarded from a bungalow. Most of this wastewater is located near the Fırtına River.”

In recent years, especially with the interest shown by Arab tourists in the Eastern Black Sea Region, the diversity of accommodation alternatives in the area has increased. In this region, known as a paradise on earth due to its natural beauty, bungalows have been added to the growing number of hotels. The Rize Governorship has taken action regarding the rapidly multiplying bungalows, starting with demolishing unlicensed establishments that disrupt the natural beauty of the Fırtına Valley.

Evaluating the process, Governor Baydaş stated that their primary goals are to register all bungalows, tax them, initiate actions against those without tourism operation certificates, check whether the guests are recorded, and more importantly, to prevent the environmental damage caused by the bungalows.

Stressing that all bungalows must be compliant and registered as an indispensable rule for regional tourism, Governor Baydaş said, “When the need for alternative accommodation arises in tourism, the issue of bungalows or renting houses for tourism purposes has come to the forefront. This is a problem not only for our city but perhaps for many regions. Our approach to this issue has been clear; we have held numerous meetings, and after each meeting, I stated openly that our first demand regarding these structures is whether they have permits. Secondly, whether these structures are taxed, and whether accommodations are taxed. Our third issue is whether they have tourism operation certificates. Our fourth issue is that we need to know who is staying here, who has overnighted.”

“The wastewater from bungalows is polluting the Fırtına River.”

Pointing out that each person staying in a bungalow consumes liters of water and releases it into nature, Baydaş emphasized the importance of the Fırtına Valley, stating, “More importantly, it is the impact of bungalows on nature and the control of their waste. Now, bungalows are used in such a way that people come, many have bathtubs and jacuzzis. With just one-time usage by the guests, approximately 250-300 liters of wastewater is discarded from a bungalow. Most of this is near the Fırtına River. The Fırtına River is one of our most important symbolic locations. It is a place that people from all over Turkey and the world want to see. Yes, our citizens see this as a source of income, but we will approve every facility that complies with these 4-5 characteristics we mentioned. However, we cannot turn a blind eye to facilities that do not possess these characteristics,” he said.

“We are a city focused on tourism and expecting income from tourism.”

Noting that Rize has high tourism expectations, Baydaş stated, “We are a city focused on tourism and expecting income from it. We prioritize tourism. We are drawing a roadmap here. The bungalow operators have formed an association. We have met several times with the representatives of that association. We continue to meet. Our district governors, especially in Ardeşen and Çamlıhemşin, have worked to establish a path regarding this issue. Actions have started regarding structures on the banks of the Fırtına River. Notifications have been made. First, we give time to our citizens, telling them, ‘Withdraw these and preserve the line.’ Then it will come to flood zones, and afterwards, roads will pass through there, and work has begun on the Ardeşen, Çamlıhemşin, and Ayder route.”

“Bungalows are structures born out of necessity.”

Baydaş remarked that bungalows have increased due to necessity, but they should be controlled, adding, “We are not against bungalows. Bungalows are structures that have emerged out of necessity. But they must be controlled, taxed, and their waste managed hygienically, in terms of public health and environmental health, and their operations related to cultural tourism and accommodation must continue as facilities with tourism operation certificates. Under public oversight, those who will carry out this work must possess these characteristics, just as our other tourist accommodation facilities do.”