In recent times, there has been a lot of buzz about the abandoned cruise ships in Turkey. These ships were once a symbol of luxury and leisure, but now they are rusting away in the coastal towns of Turkey.
The question is, why are these cruise ships abandoned in Turkey? Let’s delve into the details.
What led to the abandonment of cruise ships in Turkey?
The Turkish tourism industry was thriving until 2016 when a series of unfortunate events took place. The political unrest, terrorist attacks, and a failed military coup had a significant impact on the economy. The tourism industry suffered a massive blow as tourists started avoiding Turkey due to safety concerns.
As a result, many cruise lines stopped docking at Turkish ports, which led to a decline in revenue for the local businesses that relied on tourism. In an attempt to revive the industry, the Turkish government waived port fees for cruise ships. However, this move did not attract enough business to sustain the industry.
What happened next?
With no business coming their way, many small businesses that provided services to the cruise lines had to shut down. As for the cruise ships themselves, they were either sold off or left abandoned in Turkish ports.
Why weren’t these abandoned ships removed from Turkish ports?
Removing an abandoned ship is not an easy task and can be quite expensive. It involves dismantling and disposing of hazardous materials such as asbestos and oil products. The cost of such operations can run into millions of dollars.
Moreover, some ship owners may have found it more financially viable to abandon their vessels rather than pay for their removal or scrapping them.
What’s happening now?
The abandoned cruise ships have become somewhat of an attraction for tourists visiting Turkey’s coastal towns. Some locals have even started using them as makeshift homes or businesses.
However, this solution is not sustainable, and the Turkish government has recently announced its plans to remove these abandoned ships from their ports. It is a welcome move as it will help clean up the coastline and reduce environmental hazards.
Conclusion
The abandoned cruise ships in Turkey are a sad reminder of the impact that political unrest and economic instability can have on an industry. While they may have become tourist attractions, their presence poses environmental hazards, and it is essential that they are removed from the ports. Let’s hope that this move will help revive Turkey’s tourism industry and bring back the glory days of luxury cruising in the Mediterranean.