*Mr. Ertuğrul Güney, Turkey’s minister of culture and tourism, visited several tourism centers in Muğla province to assess complaints of violations of the laws such as the celebrated landfill of the sea by MNG and villas built on ancient Carian tombs. The media reported six changes to his scheduled itinerary to avoid protestors ready to demand reversal of changes to the building code which apparently allow construction of 5-storey buildings to which Bodrumians take particular exception. Protestors managed to intercept the minister in several places, however, and received his assurances that he also does not approve of allowing 5-storey construction. Protesters promise to continue petitions to stop what is viewed as a prelude to the ‘rape and pillage’ of Bodrum.

**This week is Museum Week and the Muğla governor’s letter announcing it states that admission is free on this occasion – a good time to visit.***Turkish beaches and marinas had to undergo the annual evaluation to determine which are to be granted the prized Blue Flag that certifies their compliance with rules for eligibility. Bodrum peninsula qualified with: WOW Halikarnas Resort, Milta Holiday Village, Club Voyage Torba, Samara Otel, Valtur Bodrum Park, Sea Garden II, Sea Garden I, Palmiye Holiday Village, WOW Beach Club, Club Belizia, Aktur, Bitez II (Halikarya), Club Armonia, Turgutreis public beach (Sunset), Club Kadikale, Gümüşkaya I (Yalikavak), Club Voyage Bodrum Resort (Göltürkbükü). Qualified Bodrum marinas are: Bodrum Milta Marina, Doğus Turgutreis Marina, Ece Marina. Needless to say those not listed did not qualify.

****INVESTATE ’08, a conference of parties interested in investment in real estate on the Bodrum peninsula, organized on 24-25 May ’08 in the Bodrum Princess Hotel. A long list of conferees includes many VIPs, among them the Minister of Tourism, Mr. Rahmi Koç, Mr. Adnan Nas of PricewaterhouseCoopers, representatives of other big real estate investment firms and mayors of Aegean coast resort towns. Although preservation of the environment is on the agenda this conference, coming together with the building code changes related above, raises fears that Bodrum’s characteristic low-silhouette charm may be readied for sacrifice. The participation of prime real estate investment houses is far from reassuring.