Turkey’s famous windsurfing spot draws attention with stone houses

Alaçatı, Turkey's leading spot in windsurfing and standing out with its architecture and authentic stone houses, is expected to have a dynamic tourism season this year.

Alaçatı, known as an infantry and cavalry village in the Ottoman period, is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Turkey. Its historical stone houses and cobblestones are a symbol of the western town.

Most of the stone houses in Alaçatı serve as hotels. There are still over 600 boutique hotels on the streets of the town. Drawing people with these quiet and small hotels during the pandemic period, Alaçatı is also an important center for windsurfing, as it stays windy for about 300 days a year.

Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency, Alaçatı Tourism Association Chairman Celal Bayraktaroğlu said that Alaçatı was not affected by the changing holiday preferences during the pandemic like other destinations.

Pointing out that the demand for summer houses as well as small hotels is increasing, Bayraktaroğlu said that Alaçatı was lucky in this regard.

"I believe we will have a better season this year than last year. This is because of vaccination and awareness. We foresee that foreign tourists, especially domestic tourists, will come here from the second half of July. We are working with the Culture and Tourism Ministry and local municipalities to promote the region. The number of cases is also very low here. This is our advantage. If we promote it, we will attract more tourists. Of course, human health is very important. Considering the health of people living in the region, a good season awaits us with the increase in both the precautions and the administration of vaccination," he said.

Stating that the wind of Çeşme Peninsula is famous, he said...