Demre district of Antalya is progressing towards becoming a four-season tourism destination, attracting visitors with its historical heritage, natural beauties, faith tourism potential, and protected coastlines.
The district, home to well-known destinations such as the Church of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus), the ancient cities of Myra and Andriake, Kekova, Üçağız, and Kaleköy, aims to increase its share in tourism through international events, accommodation investments, and sustainable tourism projects organized in recent years.
In Demre, activities are being carried out to spread culture, faith, nature, and sea tourism throughout the entire year. The district, which hosts visitors from various countries around the world, aims to become a four-season tourism center by combining its historical heritage with its unspoiled natural structure.
Demre Mayor Fahri Duran told an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent that the district had been associated with agriculture for many years, but its tourism potential has become more visible in recent years.
Stating that the region has significant advantages in terms of culture, faith, sea, and nature tourism, Duran said, "Demre was known as an agricultural district for years. However, we had very strong assets such as cultural tourism, faith tourism, sea tourism, and natural beauties. We have a district where tourism can be done 12 months a year with its unspoiled nature."
Santa Claus Festival gains international identity
Emphasizing that faith tourism is one of Demre's most important assets, Duran stated that every year on December 6, clergy from different countries around the world hold a ceremony at the Church of Saint Nicholas.
Duran stated that the Santa Claus Festival, organized for the first time last year, attracted significant interest, and they aim to expand the organization on an international scale.
Expressing satisfaction with the interest the festival received, Duran said, "We organized our festival with the motto 'Christmas is experienced in the city of Santa Claus.' We received very positive feedback. Next year, we will hold a more international, comprehensive, and magnificent event."
Üçağız and Kaleköy attract visitors' interest
Stating that Üçağız and Kaleköy are among Demre's prominent tourism destinations, Duran reminded that Üçağız was selected as the "Best Tourism Village" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization last year.
Duran stated that Üçağız, with a population of approximately 700, attracts significant interest, especially during the summer season, and added:
"Kaleköy is one of the rare settlements without a land connection. It offers visitors a different atmosphere with its characteristic houses, streets, and natural structure. In Üçağız, with a population of approximately 700, we host 3-4 thousand visitors on weekends and about 2 thousand on weekdays. Despite a decrease in visitor numbers in some tourism regions, Demre has become one of the rare areas to host more visitors compared to last year."
Accommodation investments gained momentum in the district
Drawing attention to the importance of sustainability in tourism, Duran stated that they will implement a recreation project on an area of approximately 50-60 thousand square meters in Çayağzı in September, and they are also continuing infrastructure activities with the support of the Governorship for the protection of the seas.
Pointing out that accommodation investments have gained momentum in the district, Duran said, "We have reached an approximate bed capacity of 4-5 thousand with villas, bungalows, apart-hotels, and hotels."
Stating that Demre is becoming more recognized each year, Duran invited all local and foreign tourists to discover the historical, natural, and cultural riches of the district.