Changes

[blondie]

Well, one of those out there is certainly an active member on here and I'm sure she will post a very thorough and honest review when she returns - I go out on Tuesday and will do the same.

[ian]

have a fantastic time, im there on wedsnesday.

[blondie]

I'm sure we will - and hope you do too

[JT]

The changes that we are all seeing now, a lot of us have seen before and for a lot of people the changes that came 7-10 years ago actually made the place go down and stop attracting lots of people

Icmeler was one, if not the most exclusive resort in Turkey at one time and without young waiters dancing on bars or breakdancers moving from bar to bar

The Europeans gradually stopped coming to the resort also the Turkish stayed away as the rules where flaunted and every bar thought they had to drop prices and get the waiters to dance around you and chat up everything with a skirt (and some without)

Lots of hotel and apartment owners then lost out along with bar owners as they all started to drop prices to try to attract a different type of tourist.

Maybe now with the rules being enforced it will now return to what it was many years ago, ok some people may not like it and move on to other places and resorts but then that means that there are places to fill and gradually the people who left because of the changes will come back because of the changes that are now happening

Like fish in a river or animals in the wild, as one breed moves out because they can't adapt then another breed moves in that can tolerate the new surroundings

I know that last paragraph was a little weird and we know there are no fish or animals, you may get my drift

[patsiej]

Like many other people, we started going to Marmaris and catching the dolmus to icmeler for the beach and then catching the dolmus back to Icmeler to eat. Eventually we just cut Marmaris out and booked Icmeler. I remember, before all the dancing waiters and 'entertainment', the restaurants were so busy you had to wait for a table. I even remember on one occasion the beach was full and we had to return to the hotel and sit around the pool. Please don't try and tell me that the lack of entertainment will stop people going - I think the opposite is probably more likely. The entertainment will still be there - you will just have to look for it. I agree with Blondie. The only thing missing for me are the stalls along the canal.

Patsiej

[Canli]

I agree John. I've already been out and had a great holiday, as always. I did notice a few changes, but nothing that would put me off going back, quite the contrary. If those who want a mini Marmaris don't like it, they have the option to go elsewhere, while those of us who prefer a more relaxing kind of holiday will stick around, and be joined by other like minded holidaymakers. You go to a place that suits your needs and preferences, you can't make a place what YOU want it to be.

[patsiej]

Yes, Canli. I can see me going back to my three times a year in Icmeler. Can't wait.

[mansy]

I'm out there in 10 days time, I will also give a "true" review when I return. We have been to Icmeler around 20 times or more, it used be a lot quieter than it is now. We do like a bit of music, but not loud music that blasts your eardrums. We do like a bit of entertainment, but not every night. We like to be able to have a conversation without sign language. We would love the stalls back along the canal area, that was a big mistake removing them. Not at all bothered about the Wednesday market going.
If we had gone to Marmaris all those years ago instead of Icmeler, we would never have returned again. It's awful, but each to there own.

[patsiej]

Just a thought - could it be that a forward thinking Mayor has seen the big influx of Russian tourists and believed that the future of Icmeler lies with them. They will certainly not appreciate waiters chatting up their women or the 'tribute' acts. It could be that these changes will encourage the Russian element to frequent bars and part with a few lira.

[daisysun]

Like many other people, we started going to Marmaris and catching the dolmus to icmeler for the beach and then catching the dolmus back to Icmeler to eat. Eventually we just cut Marmaris out and booked Icmeler. I remember, before all the dancing waiters and 'entertainment', the restaurants were so busy you had to wait for a table. I even remember on one occasion the beach was full and we had to return to the hotel and sit around the pool. Please don't try and tell me that the lack of entertainment will stop people going - I think the opposite is probably more likely. The entertainment will still be there - you will just have to look for it. I agree with Blondie. The only thing missing for me are the stalls along the canal.

Patsiej

That would be my idea of a nightmare having a beach that crowded, it puts the picture in my head of tbe beginning of the programme Benidorm with a jam packed beach Lol. When we were there in sept the beach was just right for us, still had people on it but not packed. We are going In July this time so expect it to be busier but hope not jam packed?

[patsiej]

Daisysun it wasn't a bit like Benidorm - heaven forbid! The beach was substantially wider then. The numbers of sunbeds were probably about the same as now, perhaps a few more. There was plenty of space between the umbrellas on the beach. Not packed on as they are now.

[south coast hero]

there seems to be a mixed bag of feelings on the changes,i have been going there 14 yrs now,sometimes 3 times a year,and im so glad i have some fantastic memories of the early days which to me made icmeler that very special place,ripping the heart out of the canal , the market , the ice cream sellers,and now the entertainment, the canal is a shadow of what it used to be,it was like a high street on a sat afternoon after the bars had closed every evening,afterwards having a nice stroll along the waterfront with an ice cream to finish the evening is now a memory past, i almost feel sorry for the people who will visit for the first time this summer and wonder what the hype was all about, to them it will be just another holiday resort and i,ll be surprised if they return next year,people like me returned every year because we liked it for the way it was,im afraid the magical essence of icmeler is slowly been eroded away and i dread to think how it will look in the years ahead. sure the canal stalls needed upgraded,not torn out by the roots,the market day was part of the holiday,nobody forced you to go,and yes some may say the entertainment was dated and repetative,and im all for improving things to make them better,but not taken away forever and replaced with nothing,what will be the next to go ?

Ian could not have put it better myself.
With a bit of luck the mayor may be voted out next term.
We love to have a meal and watch the entertainment.
All these business owners who at the moment think the changes are good may not think so next year when the numbers are down.
Dont forget the British made Icmeler the resort it is and the British are the ones that spend a few bob when they are in the resort.

[mansy]

From speaking to one of the sun lounger " guardians" last year, according to him the Russians think if they pay for all inclusive, they should get everything else in the resort for free and don't tend to spend much outside their A.I. hotels.

[geordie1970]

Hope the resort isn't taken over by the 'KGB'

We stayed at the Munamar Residence/Casa Blanca (on our 1st ever visit 2 years ago) and all they did was drink Vodka and shout and scream! ... Plus take over the Pool and Sunbeds! ... Good riddance I say and I think that the AI will kill the resort if it continues ... Even though due to price, we're at the Letoile AI this year, but fully intend on still eating out/drinking as we enjoy being out and about etc

[redrhino12]

Icmeler was a thriving German resort before the British became the majority visitor.
When I first visited over 20 years ago Icmeler was already made
Us British turned it into what it is today,a loud in your face experience.
I welcome the changes if it means less rowdy noisy bars and more of the tranquility in the resort we used to get.
Looking for flights next year already and fly out tomorrow.

Gene

[geordie1970]

Have a good un Gene ... 20/6 for our 2 weeks ... And not worried about the 'changes' at all, as JT explained the majority of it is down to the Bars/Restaurants applying for 'entertainment' visas rather than breaking the law (yes even Turkey have rules! Lol)

Looking forward to your reviews on everything when you get back ... Cheers

[blondie]

We might even bump into you too then, Gene - have a great holiday! We're looking forward to all the changes too...can't wait!

[Lee101]

So There Are Less Market Stall's and Less Ice Cream Stall's, Which means me saying No Thanks Less

[geordie1970]

Well said Lee! Lmao ... Plus it means I don't need to take my sign written 'No Thanks, Not today' T-Shirt

[bobbysgirl]

I agree about Russian visitors; they don't even purchase a cushion for loungers on the beach but occupy a free bed and don't buy a drink from the beach boys!