Türkiye's Marmaris’ future at risk: New resort poses serious threat to infrastructure

A massive construction project on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast is stirring up controversy in the beloved tourist town of Marmaris. 

According to a new article, Bloomberg features that on a clear winter day, the towering cranes at the Sinpas Kizilbuk Thermal Wellness Resort rise above the Turkish tourist town of Marmaris, visible from nearly four miles away. The sprawling construction site extends along the coast, transforming what was once barren land into a massive development that has encroached upon the area’s lush greenery. The surrounding sea, once a deep blue, has turned a murky brown as disturbed soil mixes with the water. From a boat offshore, it takes several minutes to pass the entire construction zone — a series of concrete blocks interspersed with towering buildings that form the foundation of the hotel complex.

Marmaris, located on Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, is a top destination for tourists, particularly those from the UK and Russia. Famous for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and pine forests, Marmaris attracts about one million visitors annually, according to the Southern Aegean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association. Most tourists stay in the many small hotels and guesthouses lining the town's coastline.

Since 1996, Marmaris has been designated a national park, which has helped to prevent the construction of massive resort complexes typical of other Turkish tourist destinations. However, the Sinpas development stands out. Once completed, the resort will feature over 1,300 timeshare units, a 206-room hotel, a thermal spa, an aquapark, and a shopping center, all part of what its owner, Istanbul-listed Kizilbuk REIT, refers to as a “new-generation conservative holiday concept.”

Despite the project's completion timeline set for April, it has faced strong opposition from environmentalists and local politicians who have campaigned for years to halt the development. Critics argue that it will disrupt the town’s coastline and forests, placing undue pressure on Marmaris's already strained infrastructure.

Stopping large-scale developments like Sinpas has proven difficult in Türkiye. For more than two decades, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration has relied heavily on construction as a cornerstone of its economic strategy. The labor-intensive industry has helped keep unemployment rates low, and builders have received tax incentives and billions of dollars in public-private infrastructure contracts for airports, bridges, highways, and hospitals. Relaxed environmental regulations have further facilitated developers' work.

“Erdogan has discovered that he is able to activate the whole economy by pouring resources into construction,” said Murat Birdal, an economist at Istanbul University. According to KPMG, the construction sector is projected to contribute 7 per cent to Türkiye’s GDP this year, up from 5.1 per cent in 2021. However, this growth has not come without consequences, sparking tensions in areas like Marmaris.

Marmaris Mayor Acar Unlu, a leading opponent of the Sinpas resort, has voiced concerns over the environmental and infrastructural impact of the development. The 44-year-old mayor, normally soft-spoken, is adamant in his opposition to the “concrete jungle” he believes will overwhelm the town’s infrastructure. “How will their waste be discharged? Where will they put their cars? How will they get water?” he asked in an interview in his office.

Since December, Unlu’s administration has revoked 58 permits for the resort project and imposed fines totaling approximately $78 million in an attempt to block its progress. Additionally, a court ruling in November voided 17 permits for violating zoning and coastline regulations.

In response, Kizilbuk REIT has appealed the court decision. CEO Mahmut Sefa Celik stated via email that the company has paused construction in areas where permits were contested. “We believe all issues with local governments can be solved via reciprocal rapport and understanding,” he said.

As tensions mount over the Sinpas development, the debate continues over balancing Türkiye’s economic growth with environmental preservation and the future of Marmaris's infrastructure.

By Naila Huseynova