End of the 'Dream of Phaselis' in Antalya

The best news in recent days is this: One of the most important port cities of the ancient era, Phaselis in Antalya, has finally been saved with its ruins dating back to the seventh century B.C. together with its endemic plants, whose names are mentioned in mythology. A holiday village project planned for right next to the ancient city with six tennis courts, three swimming pools and 280 rooms has been canceled.
 
I wholeheartedly congratulate the Antalya Regional Council for the Protection of Cultural Heritage which made the decision. But the real applause goes to the Phaselis Initiative that succeeded in collecting nearly 95,000 signatures at change.org. 

The members of the platform made up of several professional chambers, nongovernmental organizations and Antalya residents sensitive to history and the environment did not stop at filing a court case to cancel the protect; they also documented the ancient ruins on the land planned for the construction. 

They stood guard day and night protecting the trees around the city from being cut.  

The businessperson who had to give up the project "Dream of Phaselis" is Fettah Tamince, the owner of Rixos Hotels, which now number 26 in 10 countries, as well as the owner of Sembol Construction.

One of the most well-known hotels in Davos, the inescapable center of the World Economic Forum, the Flüela was added to the Rixos portfolio a couple of years ago.

Tamince started his business life in Antalya selling rugs at the store of a relative from Van, an eastern province. He went into the jewelry sector from rugs, then from there to tourism and construction. In his 40s, Tamince has gone from being a salesperson of rugs to becoming the boss of Rixos Hotels, where President Recep...