The village in southwest Türkiye, which has witnessed thousands of years of history, is being rediscovered with Future is in Tourism

The “Future is in Tourism” initiative, implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Anadolu Efes, continues its activities this year in Taşlıca village of Muğla province, located in southwest Türkiye. Following Akyaka and Köyceğiz, Taşlıca was determined as the third sustainable tourism route in the province by the initiative.

Taşlıca, the last settlement on the southwest of the Bozburun peninsula, supports tourism with its traditional agricultural terraces, dry agricultural practices, and local agricultural products. In addition, the village is remarkable with its chefs and local food products. Besides cattle and sheep farming, olive, almond, fig and local karakılçık wheat are produced through dry agriculture in Taşlıca. The village is also home to the 2,600-year-old Phoenix Ancient City, for which the archaeological excavations are still ongoing.

On 16 June 2023, “Future is in Tourism” brought all stakeholders together in Taşlıca to introduce the new tourism route and share the activities carried out in the region. Michelin-starred Chef Maksut Aşkar prepared delicacies entirely with local products to mark the 18 June World Sustainable Gastronomy Day. Aşkar made dishes together with local women to show the link between gastronomy, local products and sustainable tourism.

A hiking and biking route was created as part of the “Future is in Tourism” initiative to help visitors discover the cultural and natural richness of Taşlıca. Nearly 3 km long route starts from the center of Taşlıca, where traditional village houses are located, and continues through ancient water wells, Phoenix Ancient City research center and excavation area, traditional agricultural terraces, local karakılçık wheat fields, and fig and almond trees. Visitors can get information about the route by scanning the QR code on the information board placed at the starting point of the route. In addition, the route can be discovered by renting bicycles delivered to the mukhtar of Taşlıca.

Furthermore, brown tourism signs, which are markers of historical and cultural heritage were installed in ancient cities of Marmaris district, including Phoenix with the facilitation of “Future is in Tourism”.

The work in Taşlıca will continue with trainings for the local people on different topics such as sustainable tourism, family boarding house, awareness of cultural and ecological heritage, use of social media, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.