The Future of Muğla Tourism Discussed at the University Panel

15 Apr The Future of Muğla Tourism Discussed at the University Panel

At a tourism panel hosted by Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Ahmet Aras—Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and President of the Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union—announced that major projects have been implemented to support the goal of sustainable tourism. He noted a 20% increase in tourist numbers thanks to promotional efforts at international tourism fairs.

The panel, titled “Muğla Tourism: Past, Present, and Future,” was held as part of Tourism Week. The event aimed to support the development of the tourism sector, assess its current potential, and define future sustainable strategies. Attendees included former Minister of Tourism Bahattin Yücel, Menteşe District Governor Mehmet Eriş, Mayor of Muğla Metropolitan Municipality and President of the Coastal Aegean Municipalities Union Ahmet Aras, the Rector of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Prof. Dr. Turhan Kaçar, Provincial Director of Tourism Hüseyin Toprak, tourism stakeholders, and Non-Governmental Organisations’ representatives.

Mayor Aras: “We Launched a New Era of Vision in Muğla Tourism”

Following the screening of a documentary about the ancient city of Stratonikeia—one of Muğla’s cultural treasures—Mayor Aras outlined key tourism projects initiated since he took office. “In our first year, we quickly implemented previously neglected efforts and took major steps that shaped the city’s tourism vision. We founded the ‘Muğla Tourism Research and Strategy Development Platform’ to guide local tourism policy.”

“We Achieved a 20% Increase in Tourist Numbers”

Mayor Aras stated that they aim to diversify tourism and spread it across 12 months with the vision of “World City Muğla.” He explained that Muğla participated in major global tourism fairs in London, Berlin, Moscow, and Istanbul alongside sector stakeholders. “These efforts significantly boosted the city’s visibility. In the first two months of 2024, we hosted 23,035 tourists; in the same period of 2025, the figure rose by 20% to 27,660,” he said, adding that they will continue promoting Muğla in new markets like Dubai and China.

“A Master Plan for Muğla Tourism with Academic Support”

Emphasizing inclusive collaboration, Mayor Aras said they work closely with chambers of commerce, associations of hoteliers, travel agencies, tour guides, and academics. “To ensure planned development, we prepared the Muğla Tourism Master Plan in cooperation with Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University’s Faculty of Tourism and Technology Transfer Office. Combining academic knowledge with field experience, this plan aims to preserve Muğla’s natural, historical, and cultural assets while diversifying tourism and contributing to the regional economy in the long term.”