Why are they changing Icmeler

[blondie]

I agree with you, Kalof - while I'm not one for getting dressed up to the nines, I wouldn't dream of going out for dinner at night in "beachwear", and I would also love to see more places selling proper, authentic Turkish food in the right setting too, perhaps with Turkish music, etc. As you say, if you want to go on holiday to eat, drink and do everything you do here in the UK, there are already plenty of resorts right across Europe catering to that market. I don't want Icmeler to go down that route.

[lechy123]

have also noticed that there are also a lot more people ( both men and women who are not always in the first flush of youth ) wandering around town in very skimpy swimwear. i am not at all prudish and have have no objections around pool areas but a little modesty,dignity and respect in public areas should be the norm, Turkey is a Muslim country after all:D

[Sami]

Rami - I liked your post a lot and I agree with what you have said. My first visit to icmeler was many years ago and I remember myself the restaurants that had the ice trays outside where they would show off their many shell fish and such that they had on offer that evening. Live lobsters etc. None of that to be seen any more.

You say about diners sitting and eating without suitable clothing i.e. no shirts on. I think restaurants in Icmeler should have the same policy as over here in the UK which is that men should put their shirts on before they get served/seated. I work in a pub some evenings and during the summer I will not serve anyone until they put their shirt or T-shirt on.

The groups of people of many different nationalities that you say are now frequenting Icmeler are unfortunately known for NOT spending money. And I do not mean this to sound mean but they tend to go for all inclusive or they go self catering, buy in goods and stay in, drinking on their balconys. I saw the same in Alanya a few years ago and I was chatting to a few local workers who said that Germans & Scandinavians are renowned for stocking up at the supermarket and staying in, they hardly ever eat out.

[Rami Off Work]

I think restaurants in Icmeler should have the same policy as over here in the UK which is that men should put their shirts on before they get served/seated. I work in a pub some evenings and during the summer I will not serve anyone until they put their shirt or T-shirt on.

See the problem is that, there are double the amount of chairs in Icmeler than there are hotel beds:) So, those restaurants with this policy in place reckon they will suffer in business...come to think of it, they sure will.

IMO, the root of the problem lies around these lines:

With the amount of hotels and apartments being offered for a weeks holiday for less than a cost of a train ticket in the UK, there is no possible way to fix anything. If I am paying 4-5 quid a day for a hotel, I am not going to accept paying just that for 2 drinks at any bar (which of almost all bars offer identical sort of ambiance, product, entertainment etc).....(same scenerio goes with restaurants)

So, I will browse and find me the bar that gives me that beer for the cheapest price there is and I will even haggle for my kids to get a free cocktail before settling...what happens next week? All bars serve cheap drinks, all customers' kids get free cocktails, meals, wine, breakfast etc etc...
(I think the crash course theory for haggling in Turkey made by some T.O reps on the way down from Dalaman are taken way too far in practice)

Money that the bar owner is left with at the end of the year, he ain't going to invest in better staff or decoration or for quality products, he can hardly get by the long winter as it is...so things get worse and worse each year...places change hands for the worse, fake alcohol is introduced, customers get ripped off and due to poor recruiment you even get sworn at on your holidays by some door man for not trying his food!!! ...(Its sad that I tried to keep this list as short as possible):)

I am sorry but the only way out of this cycle is for hotels to get in gear and stand up for their rights against travel agencies and INCREASE the prices. Maybe Icmeler will not be as busy but eventually everyone will be satisfied...Do I think this will happen? Nope.

[south coast hero]

Hi South Coast Hero

The Apple Pie man Luverly Jubbly was there last June during our stay.
He seemed to be doing ok and is a very happy jolly man.

ok thanks mumpton will look him up next year

[Fanny]

..... the people in the restaurants and bars have changed. The newcommers aren't as friendly as the ones who've been there for years. Some are downright rude. When we were there in october, we witnessed three fights between rival gangs of bar boys. Two in the street outside a very popular restaurant, and one outside our hotel at 4am one morning. Usually by now we'd have two holidays planned for next year, but at the moment we're undecided if we really want to return.

Sad to say that I agree totally with you Canli - over the past 2 years we've seen several fights between the bar lads in various places! Not something nice to see anywhere, and for me it sums up the lack of respect etc that the newer bar lads and workers seem to have
We were fortunate enough to start going 9 years ago and still have friends who were working in Icmeler then. Back then, the younger lads appeared to have older workers keeping them in check, but a lot of them now seem quite cocky to me - maybe that's just my age and familiarity with the old icmeler that makes me think that

Icmeler's still a fab place, but would be even better if the old courtesy's were back IMHO

[Jay Trip]

We werent going to go back this October because of the changes but decide to stay in the village which was the best decision we have ever made.
It was so relaxing and all the staff in the restaurants and bars were all lovely.

[alan1945]

I have been to icmeler over30 times in the last 14 years but decided not to go this year. Over the years i have seen some really good improvements (promenade, roads, Pavements ,marina etc, but on our last visit I found it to be becoming like marmaris. Rows of empty restaurants,(too many in resort). Shops selling last years stock. Shopkeepers desperate for your custom .I tried all inclusive hotels and I found them miles behind on comfort and quality ,especially food from european hotels. The final thing that made me decide to go elsewhere was the closing of the canal shops. This was the After dinner walk and browse for many tourists. Has icmeler gone too big? Are there too many restaurants and shops? I feel The charm of icmeler is disappearing fast. On a good note I have had many wonderful holidays there and i have some great memories. Will I return? Open the canal shops again , sort big hotels out. I might do .

[juju]

We have been going to Icmeler for 9 years and most of the changes have been good. The prom we like more now.The canal is a no no and the underground market. The staff where we go we havent really noticed any change. Surely young bar staff fighting are the responsibility of whoever employs them? I also work in a bar restaurant and would not serve any one without a top on but they do try it on!Certainly would not expect to see this in a supermarket but in Icmeler I do, and not Turkish guys,British ones.And not the 6 pack variety.

[emmamichelle]

I look through this and see people saying "maybe i'm just getting old or prudish" but i'm 19 and me and my friend went this year and it's safe to say we NEVER worn swinwear outside the area we were swimming in. I dont think its got anything to do with being oolder because i completely agree.

For me getting all dressed up and pretty for dinner is all the fun of being on holiday! why would you go for dinner in your sweaty day gear? it puzzles me! And i mean we are singles and this year was our first time without the family but the reason we return to icmeler is the charm and peacefulness of the people and the beautiful scenery not so we can feel like we are in a busy, loud generic holiday destination! If i wanted a holiday in Marmaris, I'D GO THERE!

Lastly, I completely agree with what everyones saying about the younger workers, on my previous visits to icmeler over the years, yeah, the older guys kept the young'ins in check but now they can be rather outspoken, at some points just irritatingly forward and a little rude if you didnt go to their place... one guy said to me "you keep saying you will come in here" (which i didnt btw) "but you dont, if i say i get a gun to you, i'd do it" TBH i dont have a flying fart where that came from! but i'll never forget his face and i'll certainly keep my distance which will only really affect him not me. theres just no need to go so overboard sometimes y'know? :S

other than all of that, I LOVE icmeler and would hate to see it lose all that beautiful character and charm it has that makes me count the minutes from landing back in glasgow till my next visit, every year!!

[Kalof]

Certainly would not expect to see this in a supermarket but in Icmeler I do, and not Turkish guys,British ones.And not the 6 pack variety.

Love that - and totally agree!!!

Chris