Business · Companies · 5 hrs ago
Mersin business group urges action to expand tourism investment
MESİAD is urging action to turn Mersin’s tourism potential into investment.
The group says the city has a long coastline, historic sites, cultural attractions and local food that could draw visitors.
Transport improvements include a new airport and road projects, though the group says not all infrastructure problems are solved.
In Tarsus’s coastal area, named a tourism centre in 1997, land was handed to investors in 2010, but planned hotels and other projects have not progressed as expected.
MESİAD supports an international exhibition and congress centre, saying events there could bring business to hotels, restaurants and other local sectors.
The group wants clear answers on stalled projects and says investors, public bodies and industry representatives should turn stated goals into concrete projects.
MESİAD has called for concrete steps to increase tourism investment in Mersin.
The group says the city has tourism potential but expected investment and promotion results have not materialised.
MESİAD says transport improvements are advancing, while some tourism sites designated for investment remain undeveloped.
The group has called for transparent reviews of allocation processes and investor obligations.
It also supports an international fair and congress centre, saying it could benefit tourism and business.
- Who
- MESİAD, a business group in Mersin, and its representative Gündoğdu.
- What
- The group urged concrete action to increase tourism investment and supported an international fair and congress centre.
- When
- The article was published on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Mersin, Turkey, including the Tarsus Coastal Area.
- Why
- MESİAD says tourism investment has not met expectations despite progress on transport and infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Tarsus Coastal Area was declared a tourism centre.
Sites in the area were handed over to investors.
- Coastline
- 320 kilometres
- Tourism designation
- Tarsus Coastal Area declared a tourism centre in 1997
- Investor site handover
- 2010
- Airport
- Çukurova International Airport has entered service
- Supported project
- International Fair and Congress Centre
What people are saying
With such great potential, why are we still not getting the results we expect?
These questions must now be answered concretely.
It is time to talk about solutions, not excuses; investments, not promises; and the works delivered, not titles.