Trabzon hoteliers react to the increase in bungalow facilities in the Eastern Black Sea region

As the trend of bungalow facilities in the Eastern Black Sea Region continues to grow, there is an increase in the number of illegal establishments in the area where tea and hazelnut gardens are being cut down to build bungalows. In recent years, the interest in the Eastern Black Sea Region from the Middle East and Gulf countries has diversified tourism. Bungalows have been added to the increasing number of hotels in the region known for its natural beauty. While the local people in the region, who have been making a living from tea and hazelnuts for years, turn to tourism by uprooting gardens, unplanned and uncontrolled structures also bring danger. Rize Governor Ihsan Selim Baydaş, in a meeting held yesterday in the Ardeşen district of Rize, drew attention to the danger and stated, ‘There are bungalows located within stream beds, flood plains, and landslide areas. We are making our determinations regarding these. We need bungalow structures or additional alternative tourism structures. We will pave the way to meet this need in a legal and licensed manner. Their placement and restrictions on where they can be located will be determined by legal limits.’ Trabzon Hoteliers Association President Mustafa Aksu, like Governor Ihsan Selim Baydaş, pointed out the problem, stating, ‘In 1-2 years, it will cause very bad results. Because an excess of capacity is always harmful.’ Mustafa Aksu, President of the Trabzon Hoteliers Association, who stated that bungalow tourism started from Rize, emphasized that uncontrolled and unhealthy growth will lead to very bad results in 1-2 years. Emphasizing that an excess of capacity is always harmful, Aksu said, ‘Even the human body is harmed when it takes in excess. Yes, bungalow tourism has not spread much in Trabzon as it has in Rize, but from what I have seen, all tea gardens are being cut down to build bungalows. Of course, while tourism grows, it should grow balanced and in a civilized manner. We do not need to open a tourism facility everywhere, in every environment. I see it as a great danger. There are big investors and brand hotels there. Especially with the damage to brands, our city will also suffer. Imagine if all brand hotels withdraw from this region today or tomorrow, both in terms of settlement and brand value, the region will suffer.’ Aksu also mentioned that bungalows are not much cheaper than hotels, stating, ‘In terms of price, they are not actually very cheap. Actually, when looked at, for example, the cost of a room for me is a thousand liras. In my costs, there are taxes, everything. So, the cost of a room to me comes to 800-900 liras. But those people have no costs at all. They can run a large hotel with 5 people. Our Arab sector, Middle Eastern sector that came 7-8 years ago was at a higher level. Actually, when looked at, yes, 6 people stay in a house. They say if 6 people stay in a hotel, they would have to rent three rooms. Our prices are not exorbitant now. Because believe me, the difference between our expenses and the income we get from the hotel was incredibly small. This is also harmful. Speaking of prices, currently in Trabzon, there are hotels where you can stay with breakfast for 200-300 liras. Because what should the operator do? He is trying to save himself by thinking about what to provide in a place that is constantly filled with illegal constructions. In addition, in case of any incident such as fire, flood, landslide, or murder in these unregistered facilities, who will take responsibility for it? Moreover, since these facilities are unregistered, they do not pay taxes.’