Boat owners expressed their reactions by saying, “We can get service at much more affordable prices in other countries. A solution needs to be found in Turkey.”

Marine tourism has an important place in Muğla, the apple of tourism’s eye, which has the most beautiful bays of the world and Turkey.  However, owners of luxury boats worth millions of liras and more middle-class boats complain about the increasing marina mooring fees. Boat owners expressed their reactions by saying, “We can get service at much more affordable prices in other countries. A solution needs to be found in Turkey.”

There are more than 10 private and public marinas, small and large, in and around Marmaris. Boat mooring fees are calculated according to the size of the boats and the area they cover in the sea. However, according to the information obtained, daily mooring fees start at a minimum of 5 thousand liras. Since expenses such as electricity and water are not included in these figures, the total costs increase even more. The annual mooring fees, which have caused a reaction not only from millionaires but also from sea lovers who dream of living at sea, who buy boats without buying a house or car, and who try to get by on their retirement salaries, are among the most talked about issues in the sector.

“Floor and ceiling price applications should be introduced”

Sailing instructor and yacht owner Atilla Gökova said, “Right now, marina prices in Turkey are even higher than those in Monaco, the world’s most expensive marina. The price freedom in municipal and private sector marinas has increased uncontrollably. The fact that state-owned marinas have also reached this price range is ending amateur sailing. For example, the value of the boat I raced on is 3 million TL. However, the annual marina mooring fee has reached 800 thousand TL. We expect the state to intervene and implement a base and ceiling price application.”

“Prices are out of control”

While it was stated that mooring fees are determined according to the square meters that the boats cover in the sea, Atilla Gökova said, “While small budget boats like ours have difficulty due to high costs, even the boats of big business people go to Greece or Europe due to these prices. This situation harms Turkey’s marina sector and causes the state to lose taxes.”

“Despite the high fees, there are queues at the marinas”

Atilla Gökova, who also responded to claims that there are queues at marinas despite high prices, said the following about the reason for this situation: “Russian boats flocked to Turkey due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Turkish boat owners are being tried to be removed from the marina. We know the reasons but unfortunately, we cannot talk about them. This situation creates great difficulties for local amateur sailors.”

“I had to leave my marina”

Another boat owner, Tunca Çalışkan, stated that he left his marina, where he had been mooring for many years, because of the prices, and said, “About 7 years ago, I could moor my boat for 5 thousand Euros. Now, an exorbitant price of 17 thousand Euros plus VAT is being demanded for my 12-meter boat. The increases are very sudden and uncontrolled. Especially young sailors and sailing schools cannot survive in the face of these costs.”

Sailors state that increasing marina fees have a negative impact on amateur sailing and marine sports, and demand that the state monitor prices and provide support for the sector.  Source: https://anterhaber.com

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