Dipkarpaz is the only place left on the island!
As you know, for quite some time I have been sharing my interviews and observations to draw your attention to the problems our country is facing in tourism. In this context, I spent last weekend in Karpaz. I went as far as Cape Zafer, and I must say that what I saw there surprised me. I will share what surprised me, frame by frame, in my “Photo Commentary” column; but today I will bring you my interview at “Golden Sands Beach,” which I consider one of the world’s finest beaches.
In my interview with Tekin Erdoğan, owner of “Tekos Place Sea Turtle Beach,” which has been operating at Golden Sands Beach for years, I sensed anxiety and fear. Mr. Erdoğan is afraid! Why?
Read the interview…
“Dipkarpaz should belong to the people of Dipkarpaz!”
Cem KAR: Tekin, this is one of the world’s finest beaches, and you run a business in such a beautiful place. From what I can see, you have a restaurant and bungalows here. What problems are you facing?
Tekin ERDOĞAN: We have bungalows, but they won’t let us make improvements.
C.K: What do you want? I mean, what kind of improvements do you want to make?
T.E: It isn’t enough! There should be more. We say, “Let us prepare a project,” but it doesn’t happen… We’re not asking to do things our own way; we’re saying they should provide the project and we’ll carry it out. We want to build bungalows like the ones here now, in keeping with the nature of the area. Because what we have isn’t enough! Also, we can’t benefit from anything the state provides. There’s no infrastructure at all—in short, no roads, water or electricity.
C.K: How have you managed with electricity here?
T.E: We manage with a generator. Now they’re saying electricity will be brought here; in fact, they say it will definitely arrive next year. But I don’t think they’re bringing it for us. Places like the ones in Bafra will be built, and the natural environment here will be destroyed. Personally, and the villagers too, we are opposed to that. I’ve endured the hardships of this place for 30 years. I don’t want it handed over to big businessmen and its natural character ruined. It should be given to the young people in the village; credit could be made available to 50 young people so they can set up small facilities.
C.K: That would also help solve the unemployment problem, at least to some extent.
T.E: It would both solve the unemployment problem and help us protect the national park! Places like Artemis don’t benefit this country. If electricity is being brought for places like that, we don’t want it. If our state is genuinely planning to bring electricity with us in mind, then fine. As I said, if credit is given to the unemployed young people here, we can protect nature and solve the unemployment problem with small businesses. Dipkarpaz should belong to the people of Dipkarpaz! For years, they haven’t let us do anything. If they’re going to let us do something now, we should be the ones to decide… We are the ones who have endured the hardships of this place for years.
C.K: Is what frightens and worries you the possibility that Dipkarpaz will be sold off to certain people and this natural environment destroyed?
T.E: Yes. We don’t want this place to become like Bafra. People from Bafra now have to pay to go swimming in the sea. That’s shameful. We’re afraid this natural beauty will be destroyed. Girne is finished now. There’s concrete everywhere. Dipkarpaz is the only place left on the island! If we destroy our natural beauty, tourists won’t come anymore.
“Tourism operators in Girne— they’re the ones who really don’t want this place to develop.”
C.K: So, how is the flow of tourists? I mean, do tourists who come to our country also come here?
T.E: There’s no promotion! The tourism operators in Girne—I call them the tourism mafia—are the ones who really don’t want this place to develop. They tell tourists, “There are no facilities there, nothing at all, so bring your own food and drink.” So tourists come prepared. Once they arrive, they see that everything is available here, and they really like the place. Of course, this business needs better facilities! It won’t work with what we have now… There doesn’t need to be a five-star hotel, but there should be some services. There should be water, electricity and telephone service.
C.K: I noticed, and even took a photo of it: I think there aren’t enough rubbish bins! The area around the bins is full of rubbish.
T.E: That’s also a shortcoming of our municipality. If the municipality collects a rubbish fee from us, it should provide enough rubbish bins! You won’t see rubbish at my facility. I have the area cleaned. The area around the monastery is filthy; that’s a failing of our municipality… The previous municipality was better about this.
C.K: I’d like to stay here. What should I do?
T.E: You can reach us by calling 0 533 863 73 65 or 0 542 883 73 65, or by emailing us through our website, www.tekoss.com. A bungalow for two people costs 60 YTL per night, including breakfast.
C.K: What if I have a tent and want to stay in this area, which you’ve fenced off and kept clean? Can I?
T.E: Of course… You can use the water and toilet at our facility for 10 YTL a day. You’re paying this fee not for pitching a tent, but to use these facilities… We bring our water in tankers, and that costs money; we charge for these facilities.
“I’ve often seen tourists cleaning up the area.”
C.K: Tekin, I guess we’re a bit messy. I walked around the area, and it’s filthy everywhere. What do you encounter here?
T.E: Environmentalists come here, leave the area covered in rubbish and go. University students—people studying at college—leave their rubbish behind too. I’ve often seen tourists cleaning up the area. This absolutely has to be part of our education system; we must teach our children that we need to take care of our surroundings.
C.K: Do people come to Altınkum Beach for picnics?
T.E: They do. They light fires, even though it’s prohibited. There are attendants, but how can they ensure full control? In my view, there should be designated areas for this sort of thing.
C.K: Finally, what would you like to say?
T.E: I’ve been given permission for seven bungalows here. I want that number increased because it isn’t enough. I’m against concrete development too. Wooden designs like these could still be used. This isn’t something I want just for myself! There are dozens of unemployed young people in our village! They could be given opportunities and open small businesses, still under state supervision. Our state should set the standards; facilities with certain designs that are environmentally conscious and appropriate could be built. Thank you for your interest.