Russian influencers amazed by beauty of Turkey’s Mugla

MUGLA, Turkey

A group of Russian media personalities who visited the southwestern Turkish province of Mugla were delighted with the beauty of the region.

The guests arrived in Mugla as part of events organized to promote the tourism potential of the province and attract even more Russian tourists.

Mugla is known for its sea, sand, sun, natural beauty and historical monuments.

The group consisting of Russian bloggers and social media influencers visited the labyrinth-looking Dalyan Canal, the ancient city Kaunos, the world-renowned Iztuzu Beach, which is among the best protected open spaces in Europe, the thermal springs of Marmaris and Koycegiz and Sultaniye, Oludeniz and Gocek bays, pomegranate gardens and boutique hotels.

The guests, who had their photos taken in front of Iztuzu Beach and the 2,400-year-old rock tombs, had the opportunity to relax by canoeing in the bays and swimming in the sea.

While visiting the pomegranate gardens in Dalyan District, Russian influencers harvested the products with women workers and shared photos and videos on social media.

It is aimed to contribute to the promotion of the region with the posts, which received many likes in a short time.

Blogger Tatyana Bedareva, who has many followers in Russia, said she came to discover the beauty of Mugla.

Stating that she had visited Antalya, Alanya and Kemer before but had not seen Mugla, Bedareva said: "We saw that there is a great variety of activities in this region. For the first time in my life, I saw how the pomegranate grows. Although it is not the first time that we came to Turkey, I was very happy to discover new places."

“I recommend it to my followers by showing the beauty of this place. As a result, the number of people coming here will definitely increase. I will come here again with my family and kids,” she said.

"My children reproached me, asking ‘Why didn't you take us?’ I will definitely come again. This place is beautiful. Dalyan's scenery, food, nature and hospitality impressed me a lot."

Aminna Biserov, one of the guests, said their aim is to discover and promote the natural beauty, culture and people of the region.

Saying that she participated in the tour with her husband, Biserov said: "I was amazed by the natural beauty of the region. I will share the most beautiful places of this region with all my followers. I will invite everyone here.”

Kisenye Motkova, another guest, said the region is an ideal place for a holiday, adding; "Nature is magnificent here. There is everything you are looking for for a holiday. After the program is over, I will come here with my boyfriend.”

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, YDA Dalaman Airport Board Member Hamdi Guvenc said they have been working for a long time to make an effective promotion in the Russian market.

Guvenc underlined that Mugla hosted tourists mainly from Ukraine and Russia during the coronavirus pandemic, adding that this season, the primary market of Mugla, England, didn’t open the season this year and British tourists couldn’t come to the region.

Noting that they have prepared a program to introduce the Dalaman region to wider audiences, especially in Russia and Ukraine, Guvenc said that part of the program was digital marketing, which they have been working on for four months.

“In cooperation with the management of Russia's most important airport, which sends the second highest number of passengers to Turkey, we tried to select bloggers who are very active in Russia, have more than 1 million followers and appeal to various audiences,” he added.

The project also gets support from Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry and the Turkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency.

The group of influencers, which will stay for five days, will work for regional promotion, he added.