They highlighted in their petition that the 10-entry card fee, now set at 80 Euros, places a significant financial burden on guests staying for extended periods. The operators stated, "This fee is a serious burden for our guests who stay in Patara for an extended time. It leads to a reduction in their stay duration and discourages them from returning in the future. Consequently, this high entrance fee negatively impacts regional tourism and local businesses."
Tourists must pay 80 Euros to visit Patara Beach
Patara Beach, known as one of Türkiye's finest beaches, requires an entrance fee to access via the Patara archaeological site gate. Foreign tourists opting for a 10-entry card now need to pay 80 Euros. Business owners noted that the card, which cost 45 Euros until about ten days ago, has seen a significant price hike, causing tourists to turn away. With the new price, a single entry now costs approximately 280 TL.
Similar issues at other coastal archaeological sites
The management of ticket booths at archaeological sites and museums was handed over to SICPA, a Swiss-based company, in 2018. SICPA Turkey manages around 80 museums and archaeological sites nationwide, including Patara. Other coastal archaeological sites like Phaselis and Olympos also face similar issues where visitors must use the archaeological site entrance to access the beach, causing long-standing problems.
'Beach Card was a correct application'
Operators pointed out that the transition card, which cost 45 Euros until ten days ago, has now doubled in price, questioning the rationale behind the increase. They argue that the 80 Euro fee is driving away long-term tourists from Patara. About ten years ago, the Ministry's 'Beach Card' application was seen as a correct method for tourists who only wanted to use the beach. Operators are calling for a more affordable solution for long-term visitors to Patara.
Criticism over domestic-roreign disparity
Criticism has arisen over the domestic-foreign disparity in pricing for Patara Beach. One operator argued, "Having Euro prices on a card issued by the Ministry in Türkiye is incomprehensible." Patara, one of the most visited archaeological sites in Türkiye, welcomed 338,000 visitors in 2023. If the 80 Euro entrance fee persists, a significant loss in visitor numbers seems likely. Local tourism operators are awaiting a response from the Ministry.
Call to the Ministry from local tourism operators
Local operators in Patara have appealed to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, highlighting the negative impact of high entrance fees on local businesses and proposing the following: "We want to draw attention to the negative effects of the high entrance fees on local businesses and propose a solution. Currently, a 10-entry card to Patara Beach costs 80 Euros. This fee places a significant burden on our guests who stay in Patara for an extended period. This situation shortens the stay duration of our foreign guests and discourages them from wanting to return in the future. Consequently, this high entrance fee negatively impacts regional tourism and local businesses.
A 'Patara Pass' Card should be created for long-term visitors
We request that a more suitable pricing system be implemented for foreign guests staying in Patara. Accordingly, we propose the creation of a 'Patara Pass' card, specifically for guests staying in hotels and similar accommodations in Patara. This card should be offered at a rate that does not strain their budget. We believe this proposal will positively impact regional tourism and local businesses. With the support of the Ministry, we can better realize Patara's tourism potential and provide our guests with a more enjoyable holiday experience." (Yusuf Yavuz)
