Aegean Region

Turkey's airports served 57 million passengers in January-May, a strong 94.2 percent increase from a year ago.

The international passenger tally rose by 161 percent on an annual basis in the first five months of the year to 28.4 million people, data from the General Directorate of State Airports Authority (DHMİ) showed on June 6.

A monument has been constructed in the Dalyan neighborhood of the southwestern province of Muğla's Ortaca district in the name of June Haimoff, a British environmentalist, known as the "mother of Caretta carettas," who died on April 23 at the age of 100.

The number of archaeological excavations in the western province of Muğla, which is home to important ruins besides offering sea, sand and sun tourism, increased from 23 last year to 30 this year. While most of the archaeological excavations continue in summer and winter, seabed rescue excavations are also carried out.

More than 300 cyclists from some 12 countries will compete in the "Santini Queens of the Aegean Boostrace" race on May 29 in the southwestern province of Muğla's Marmaris district, a tourism hub in the region.

More than 500 cruise ships are expected to visit the famous holiday destination Kuşadası in the western province of Aydın, bringing at least 650,000 travelers, the district's mayor has said.

The resort town, which is located on the Aegean coast, welcomes more than 1.2 million foreign and domestic tourists each year.

The 2,200-year-old theater in the ancient city of Laodicea, which is located in the western province of Denizli's Pamukkale district and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, has been restored with the support of the metropolitan municipality

A superyacht that belongs to Russian oligarch Alexander Grigoryevich Abramov has arrived in the Bodrum district in the western province of Muğla.

Abramov is the owner of one of Russia's largest steel companies. His net worth is estimated at $8 billion.

Turkey, whose share in the world's upper segment tourism destinations is increasing day by day, is creating strong alternatives for high-income tourists with luxury hotel investments.

These facilities are supported by brand restaurants, marinas, golf courses and unique bays.

The latest photographs released by the General Directorate of Forestry show that areas affected by wildfires in recent years have recovered at a fast pace.

The animals that were rescued from the forest fires last summer in the Marmaris, Bodrum and Milas districts of the western province of Muğla are still undergoing treatment at the İzmir Rescued Farm Animals Shelter.