Environmentalists and mariners are opposing the 5-star "Maxx Royal Bodrum Hotel" project, planned by Ersoy Otelcilik, owned by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, due to the presence of archaeological and natural conservation sites in the planned construction area.
308 keys five star Maxx Royal
The hotel, set to be built on a 124,000 square meter area in Bodrum's Çiftlik district, plots 1 and 4 of parcel 308, has an estimated project cost of 265,675,000 TL. The hotel will feature 325 rooms and a capacity of 750 beds.
Additionally, the hotel will include three pools (two indoor, one outdoor), meeting rooms, a Turkish bath, a sauna, and various bars and restaurants.
Minister's company insisted about project
According to a report by Canan Baykız from TELE1, there was a prolonged legal battle over the project. Although a "no EIA required" (Environmental Impact Assessment) decision was made in 2014, it was overturned in 2019 following a lawsuit by the IMEAK Chamber of Shipping's Bodrum Branch and the Bodrum Mariners Association. Despite this, Ersoy Otelcilik remains persistent in pursuing the project.
Recently, a new step was taken as the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change held a Review and Evaluation Commission meeting. After the meeting, the final version of the Maxx Royal Bodrum Hotel project's introduction file was published by the ministry. The project will be open for public objections for 10 days, with the deadline on Monday, August 4, 2024.
BESIAD calls all NGO's to object the hotel project
The Bodrum Tradesmen and Industrialists Association (BESİAD) made the following statement today to remind all NGOs and environmentalists that the objection period will end on Monday:
"Dear BESİAD Family, a decision has been made for the 5-star "Maxx Royal Bodrum Hotel" project planned by the company owned by Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy in Bodrum, Muğla. After the EIA Report was reviewed and finalized by the Review and Evaluation Commission, the report was opened for public comments and suggestions at the Ministry and the Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change for 10 days. Since the location of the property is within a second-degree conservation site, a conservation-oriented zoning plan is required.
Since a lawsuit has been filed against the current zoning plan, the conservation-oriented zoning plan has not been finalized, and as of the date of the EIA report in July 2024, it is legally impossible to proceed with the planned activity due to the uncertainty of the zoning plan.
In Bodrum's Çiftlik Mahallesi, Adalıyalı Mevki, plots 1 and 4 of parcel 308, a 5-star "Maxx Royal Bodrum Hotel" with 325 rooms and a capacity of 750 beds is planned to be established and operated by Ersoy Otelcilik Construction and Tourism Operations Inc., owned by Minister Mehmet Ersoy. According to the information in the EIA file, the project area is subject to special laws and is within the Tourism Center boundaries, a second-degree natural conservation site, a third-degree archaeological site, and includes a Hellenistic Tower Structure and registered artifact conservation area.
"The area is second-degree natural conservation site"
The area also falls within forest areas under the Forest Law. According to the information in the EIA file, the project area is subject to special laws and is within the Tourism Center boundaries, a second-degree natural conservation site, a third-degree archaeological site, and includes a Hellenistic Tower Structure and registered artifact conservation area. BESİAD has maintained its stance and attitude for 22 years against any situation that harms Bodrum and our country and is contrary to the law.
We present our objection petition for your information. In this context, we call on the chambers and NGOs you are personally members of to take action and submit objection petitions, as Monday is the last day! We believe that acting with a sense of unity is our duty to Bodrum and our country."