EVERYONE HAS AN ALAÇATI!

Those who wonder what the real situation of Alaçatı is should look at the ekşi dictionary. First article entry 2001 On the Çeşme side, it is shown as one of the three places in the world with the best winds… It is also referred to as the place where the world dances with the wind… Introduction to the last post in 2018 It is an expensive district that is repulsive, with its harassment spree starting in the parking lot by Syrians, and its shopkeepers who do not like local tourists. A scoop of ice cream costs 5 TL. Being a tourist resort… Alaçatı is a tourist town. Its economy is based on tourism activities. We all travel all around the world. How do we decide to go somewhere? It is possible to see that the answer to a very important question is based on the fact that the unique identity of the place we plan to go does not exist in other places. Let's look at our neighboring islands, not the distant ones. We have gone to Chios only for seafood at the 5-table Kehribar restaurant run by Yorgo and his family. Or we climb up to 4 thousand meters to witness the 1200-year-old Inca civilization in Macha Picu in Peru. Southern Spain, centered on the Alhambra, and the Andalusia region where Cordoba, Granada and Seville are located, takes us to other worlds. We are after buying a ticket for 400 Euros a year in advance to listen to an opera in Siena. African Safaris... We came from the new Alsace Colmar... A medieval magic mints money like a mint... When we open the doors to the mysterious world of the Far East, there are magical worlds that invite us there for decades. The basic feature of dozens of destinations that we can list is that they offer only the values ​​that belong to those places! People travel thousands of kilometers for local experiences. These destination centers have become "brands" due to these features and have been reaping the benefits of this for years, which is why they carefully protect these features that belong to them. I recommend that you listen carefully to İsmail Gezgin's speech to understand what we offer in this region. How did we shoot ourselves in the foot? Turkey is a tourism paradise. But we could not turn this capital into the money it should be. We have become fit for snack money. There are many scientific articles produced on these subjects. I will not go into them. But I cannot help but mention; instead of presenting and marketing its own tourism values ​​with a high economic multiplier, Turkey shot itself in the foot with the “all-inclusive system” in the early 1990s. It is still possible to eat, drink and stay in many hotels in the Antalya region for 700 Euros per week, including flights. Experts say that it earns one-seventh of the money it could have earned with that bed capacity! And they cannot go back! Alaçatı has an identity problem! If I am talking here today under the title of “everyone has an Alaçatı”, I guess it means “Alaçatı has an identity problem”… Alaçatı’s identity problem means “brand promise”. If we translate it into the language of business life, this means sustainable economic gain. Economic gain means a lot of indicators that can be associated with quality of life. In fact, Alaçatı, which started to grow as a tourist resort in the 1990s, did not have an identity problem. Because everyone had the same Alaçatı. That ownership revealed Alaçatı's competitive power with other tourist resorts. He had the world's most popular surfing opportunities, a gift from nature. The painting on the canvas was a town where he attached its historical texture to its streets, houses, architecture, local products and flavors, local people living there, gum trees, lavender. Then he wove an identity by associating these with art, culture, literature, music, and antiques. Calmness, silence, serenity and of course originality blended with these, which can be found very rarely in the world, “sold”. And “for good money”… Going back to Alaçatı's brand promise; In the 1990s; the late Leyla Figen, Taş Otel Zeynep Öziş, Sailors Mahmut Etkin and of course Köşe Kahve Tomris Maravent and the people of Alaçatı expressed how they longed for Alaçatı. With the support of local governments, this longing was associated with the texture of daily life. This was a story of differentiation. This town, which resembles a film set, has survived to this day in such a preserved way. There was a “consensus” among the business owners and tradesmen to protect the Alaçatı identity. With this consensus, a brand was created in a unique tourism resort that has no coastline but is known for sea, sand, sun and surf. They associated culture, art, antiques and literature to one end of this identity. Plastic chairs and branded parasols could not exist here, and indeed they did not. The originality of the signs and doors became the indispensable visuals of the photographs with this protection sensitivity. Did it work? It did. Why do you ask? These values ​​increased. It had a high economic multiplier return. These brought the Alaçatı brand to the champions league. In other words, if there are “things that others do not have but that provide us with economic and social benefits” in our town today, we owe them to this recipe from its growth years. Because they were “everyone’s Alaçatı”. These values ​​naturally transformed Alaçatı into a popular tourist resort. This popularity, as can happen to any popular brand, has started to forget the values ​​that brought it there, leaving it to other elements that are enough to save the day. If there are foreign tourists who cannot sleep at night due to noise pollution and need to pack their bags and look for a hotel far away, we can say that the values ​​that brought Alaçatı to this day have been thrown aside. In the supply-demand balance, whatever you supply, its consumer will come. If you supply Fazıl Say, Fazıl Say profile will come, if you offer your hands in the air, its consumer will come. The tables are full in both forms. The question of which one creates a future value for Alaçatı is important to him. Because every consumer brings their own culture with them. What will this culture bring to those living permanently in Alaçatı and what will this return mean economically and socially? For example; tickets for a Fazıl Say concert abroad are sold for at least 300 Euros. The hotel prices where you go to watch that concert are around that price. Eating and drinking are also parallel to that. Those who come spend at least 3-4 days there. And the place attaches the phrase “the place where Fazıl Say gives concerts” to its brand. Fazıl Say also gives concerts in Alaçatı, but we cannot manage to attach this to this brand. Other dominant situations prevent this! There are currently signs of “all inclusive” in Alaçatı. At least, that’s what the research we conducted says. It seems that entertainment and holidays that can be found anywhere else have come to be offered, among values ​​that belong only here and cannot be found anywhere else. By the way, it is now understood that the dove is not a bird but a type of sandwich, that's different! Maybe we couldn't solve this identity confusion, but this confusion contributed to the solution of a very important problem; we solved the mystery between raki and women! How we solved the raki and women issue with the most concise expressions at the entrances of our taverns is now a part of Alaçatı culture. Instead of its own unique identity, Alaçatı has started to offer options that anyone can access at any time in any touristic area, or in Istanbul or Ankara. I do not discuss whether this is good or bad, right or wrong. Is the stone you throw worth the frog you scare? Is it worth ignoring the elements that make Alaçatı what it is, with these rents, personnel expenses, and costs during the high season that varies between 45-60 days? Ultimately, if we don't like it, we leave, or those who can't get the return on their investment leave. There are many examples. But what will those who have lived here for a hundred years do? Where do they have to go? Key word: differentiate Most of us know the story of Steve Jobs. He was fired by the board of directors in 1985 because he opposed the short-term sales targets of the general manager he hired from Apple, which he founded. When he was convinced by the board of directors to return to Apple in 1997, the company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Steve Jobs expressed the vision of Apple, which is today the most valuable brand and company in the world, in the employee meeting he held upon his return: “We will think differently. We will be different”… We too must offer a “difference” in Alaçatı. Çeşme tried but… Long before Alaçatı was not talked about, in the 1980s, Çeşme had become a thing of the past. Çeşme was talked about in the summer months. Alaçatı was not mentioned at all. During the 45-50 day season, world famous artists come to international music competitions, clubs where Turkey's most prominent artists get programs at midnight and play music that continues until the early hours of the morning were everywhere, especially in Ilıca. Ahmet San even built a castle in Mamurbaba for his disco 9 ½. Only Ayayorgi is left of these. Whether it is also Çeşme's identity is debatable. Not even an urban legend is left. Çeşme now wants to get back on its feet by clinging to Alaçatı. Our President wisely put Germiyan, Ildırı, Dalyan, Ovacık, Ilıca and Reisdere around him. From there to here… Alaçatı has an identity problem today. Like teenagers who can't decide what to be! Let's say, some people think ship engineering is a good fit, but ship engineers who graduated from university are after opening a tobacco shop in marinas... There is no work! The conjuncture has changed... The days of doctors and engineers are over. But the panic of "what will I become" has taken over us. We are almost going to tell fortunes in ice cream cones to get over this identity crisis. However, until a few years ago, everyone had the same "Alaçatı". Now everyone has a different Alaçatı!   “Risks and opportunities”   The titles of the problems are as follows; High rent is not a valid model for the long term. We all know the disappointments experienced as a result of high rental agreements! Maybe they get some money in the first year, but what about after that! How many novels worth of stories are behind these high rentals! However, Alaçatı residents have free universities at their fingertips. There is an intellectual accumulation here where they can learn business, hotel management, inventory management and financial management without paying a penny. Universities are ready to cooperate on these issues. There are international funds to support family businesses. While we can earn much more than the rents we would earn without our own property, as professional family members, mother-father, children, cousins ​​and cousins, we are probably missing the real value of this region in the lure of rent. Good examples are right under our noses. World tourism has put its weight in favor of family businesses. We are probably missing this train. On the other hand, the rent money does not return to the Alaçatı economy. Maybe those who sell tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers are happy, but the real money evaporates and goes everywhere but Alaçatı. In other words, an economy that benefits Alaçatı is not created with high rents. This cycle is also the biggest obstacle to extending the season. High season has been 45-60 days/year in recent years. The unhappiness coefficient is increasing. Tourists are unhappy. They say it is expensive. There is no service and quality for the money. People cannot be found to employ. If they were, the seasonal salaries are astronomical. In addition to their accommodation, transportation and other needs. In other words, the employer is unhappy, the employee is unhappy. The property owners are unhappy. Family problems arise. When the promised rents do not come, promises cannot be kept. The young people are unhappy. They do not see a future for themselves in the future of Alaçatı. The vision of the son of a friend from Alaçatı who graduated from high school is to become a taxi driver at the stop across from the municipality. That is necessary, but… But most importantly, Alaçatı's unique identity is disappearing amidst the smoke of the hookah. Doing business in Alaçatı They call me every now and then. -“ Brother Salim, we want to open a restaurant in Alaçatı. Can you help me?” I give the same answer to all of them. The recipe is as follows. If you are going to do a job, first of all, you will do it on your own property. In other words, you will not be renting. You will live in Alaçatı in summer and winter. You will do a job that focuses on creating value. In other words, you will come to give, not to take. You will not earn money, but you will have a quality of life that money cannot buy anywhere else. If you accept these, come and open your restaurant… Global scale A new world is being established. The clouds of hot wars are constantly hovering over us. What is happening around us is making us all nervous. We were planning to go to Lesbos next week, but the political tension between the two countries and the problems caused by the refugee movement in Lesbos have changed our plans. We may look like this from the islands too. Climate change is not on the agenda of any of us, but it is the fundamental problem that threatens the future of all of us. Mass migration due to natural disasters, water problems, hunger-poverty-wars has reached three times the population of Turkey. According to the United Nations data, there are 324 thousand stateless children in our country alone. Epidemic diseases are at our doorstep at any moment. I do not think that any of these problems will come to Alaçatı. can we assume there is? Sustainability At least in the last 30 years, there have been serious studies on sustainability on a global scale regarding climate change, global warming and the preservation of the quality of life. Many developed countries have closed their nuclear power plants and are feeding on renewable energy. Even Sweden imports garbage with its money for renewable energy plants. We could not eliminate plastic bags from Alaçatı's unique identity. We still cannot separate our waste into plastic, glass and paper. We are also happy about the windmills that are the symbol of renewable energy in Alaçatı, but we did not learn that we should not build these in residential areas. Organic farming and organic nutrition are a way out for our bodies that have been turned into sugar depots, but apart from inspanidual initiatives, there is no one to help us. Ethical and fair trade is on the rise. We have not yet come across this concept that would suit Alaçatı best. Local scale We will solve our problems in Alaçatı today or tomorrow. The solutions are clear. The problems are temporary. But if we want to produce a solution that is protected from the ups and downs of the global turmoil, we need to look at the peninsula as a whole. Çeşme, Karaburun, Seferihisar, Urla, including Alaçatı, each have the opportunity to host tens of thousands of tourists for 12 months with their own unique identity within their coverage area. In other words, we have a picture where a foreign tourist who sets foot on the peninsula once can engage in a tourism movement according to their own expectations for at least a week and experience many things in centers that are half an hour away from each other. Sea, sand, sun, surf, marinas, fish, seafood, viticulture, winemaking, olive-olive oil, gum mastic, lavender, melon; history, culture, archaeology and art are embraced by the hospitality of the local people. We are sitting on a carpet that can meet the expectations of especially foreign tourists and therefore where money can be earned in foreign currency. All of these are possible with a long-term strategic plan in small pieces. There is a need for a will where local governments, development agencies, and civil society organizations specialized in their fields can come together under the umbrella of the same vision. Alaçatı can be a role model at the beginning of this journey. Manifest A few years ago, I wondered what the issues I mentioned above, which have been filling everyone's Alaçatı since the mid-1990s, were. I couldn't find them all in writing. I sought the information of those who contributed to this at that time. I wrote them all down. Then I posted them on the Facebook Alaçatı Social Participant page. The information I gathered was as follows; 1. The architecture of the houses and new buildings should be compatible with the architectural texture of Alaçatı; houses should be painted white and blue; no new zoning areas should be opened. 2. Not allowing live music in businesses (we know some businesses are closed because of this) 3. Not granting operating licenses to kebab shops, doner shops and pide restaurants in Alaçatı village 4. Colourful/promotional/branded umbrellas should not be allowed in businesses in Alaçatı (All umbrellas should be white) 5. Illuminated advertising signs should not be used, and all businesses should have signs that are in line with the local texture and have original standards. 6. Closing of Alaçatı village roads to traffic 7. The use of plastic chairs and tables is strictly prohibited. 8. While issuing permits for newly built houses in Alaçatı (planting plants or trees in the garden and in front of the house), not providing a residence report for those who do not fulfill these requirements. 9. Opening of antique marketplaces, allowing antique dealers to open stalls for free 10. European surfing competitions to be held in Alaçatı in 2005 11. The mastic trees growing in Alaçatı and Chios Island are the only ones in the world to be declared a protected area and protected with wire fences. 12. To promote religious tourism, necessary archaeological/restoration work should be carried out in all churches and historical places and they should be opened to tourism. To be sure, Alaçatı Tourism Association also took ownership of this and developed it. I also contributed and the following version, which you can find on the association's website, emerged; WE PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE VALUES SPECIFIC TO OUR TOWN AND REGION 1-WE WILL PROTECT AND TAKE CARE OF ALAÇATI LIFE CULTURE Alaçatı has a very deep-rooted history. Alaçatı lifestyle is built on the architectural texture; it is a unique village in the world with its protected houses, boutique hotels, very special restaurants, live music concept venues, antique shops, art workshops, art galleries, beaches and surf center. We care about our Alaçatı culture of life. We will never allow it to deteriorate. 2-WE WANT THE RESIDENTS OF ALAÇATI TO STAY IN THE VILLAGE The most important part of the mosaic is that the local people of Alaçatı are part of the culture of life. We especially care about Alaçatı residents having a profession and we support each other. 3-WE CARE ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS As Alaçatı residents, we are respectful towards each other. Warm relationships and mutual respect with our neighbors constitute an important part of our culture. We know that animals are an important part of life and approach them with love. We expect the same respect and love-filled behavior from our guests. 4-WE PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR HISTORY The architecture of the historical stone houses and new buildings was made in accordance with the architectural texture of Alaçatı. We do not want new construction areas to be opened in order to carry our historical texture to the future without being damaged. 5-WE SUPPORT ART AND ARTISTS Art is a very important part of Alaçatı's life culture. We support works and artists in every branch of art. We want our guests to give the same importance. 6-WE TAKE CARE OF OUR LOCAL PRODUCTS AND FLAVOURS We take care to protect and keep alive local flavors, local brands, and brands specific to Alaçatı. 7-WE PROTECT NATURE AND VALUES SPECIFIC TO OUR REGION Gum trees grow only in Alaçatı and Chios Island in the world. The areas where gum trees are located have been declared as protected areas and protected with wire fences. In addition, a new gum tree cultivation program should be prepared and studies should be carried out to bring gum trees into the economy. 8-WE SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SURFING SPORTS Alaçatı is one of the most important surfing areas in the world. Work continues for the European surfing competitions to be held in Alaçatı. WE CONSIDER AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALAÇATI 9-WE KNOW THAT IT IS EVERYONE’S DUTY TO KEEP ALAÇATI CLEAN Alaçatı is our big house. We clean the streets constantly, except for the municipality workers. Everyone should clean in front of their door first, then keep all the streets clean and pay close attention to the traffic rules in the narrow streets of Alaçatı. 10-WE DO NOT AVOID DEALING WITH NOISE We consider noise as the most invisible danger that pollutes peace. We are fighting against noise to protect Alaçatı's culture of life. We would like you to be sensitive about this issue and to be a ''warning force'' in environments where this is not taken into consideration. If necessary, do not hesitate to report and complain about noise to relevant authorities such as the POLICE (0 232 712 06 60 or 153), PROVINCIAL ENVIRONMENT AND CITY PLANNING (181) and SECURITY (155). If you cannot get a result, do not give up and apply to associations that fight against noise. 11-WE CARE ABOUT OUR GUESTS HAVING A PLEASANT HOLIDAY During the season, we make sure that there is at least some light in homes and businesses, and try to keep the streets lively at all hours and allow our guests to enjoy walking around Alaçatı at all hours of the day and night. 12-WE WANT OUR GUESTS TO RESPECT ALAÇATI LIFE CULTURE We are trying our best to make our guests internalize the Alaçatı lifestyle and become aware of its protection. We also request the same sensitivity from our guests to comply with the noise, cleanliness and calm lifestyle of Alaçatı. 13-WE CARE ABOUT OUR GUESTS’ OPINIONS We value and take into consideration all your positive and negative feedback regarding our businesses. Constructive and well-intentioned criticisms and comments from our guests are considered rewarding. Finally; Alaçatı owes a lot to Leyla Figen, who opened the first café-restaurant with the Agrilia brand in its current meaning. She was remembered for the first time after many years and last year her grave was cleaned and maintained by the Alaçatı Tourism Association. I thank them wholeheartedly. But we have seen many a plaque of appreciation for Leyla Figen. We could not give her name to a square or a street. This is also a wound in our hearts! Ultimately, if we don't return to factory settings, we'll probably end up with a botoxed Alaçatı with hookah, valet, and hands in the air identity.