Thirty-three villages in the Beypazari region of Turkey are part of a huge tourism initiative by the Turkish government.The aim is to promote the region for its natural beauty and the targeted market is anyone who does not want a beach holiday. Examples include culture seekers, photography enthusiasts and people who love walking and trekking.
One of the villages on the map is Dudas. Before I went to Beypazari, I had never heard of it. After I returned from Beypazari, I googled it and it seems hardly anyone else has heard of it either. Apart from my own articles, the best resource I found was an old government website listing a few details. Therefore, if the tourism initiative is going to succeed, promotion for Dudas village needs to start.
Rural Tourism in Dudas Village
The tourism facilities in Dudas village are basic and those who like being pampered 24/7 need to look elsewhere. Restoration has begun on an old village house and when ready, it will be a five-room hotel.
No other tourism facilities exist in the village. It has just traditional wooden houses, dusty roads, wide-open fields, and locals who still practice age-old traditions.
I can see the appeal in that though and it fills in the gap. The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are favorite destinations for beach loving tourists so Beypazari is focusing on the countryside, culture, photography, and nature lovers.
Meeting the Locals of Dudas Village
While walking around the village, I had one burning question to ask.
Do the locals of Dudas want tourists invading their peace and quiet?
The answer is yes. Despite the short falls of tourism, it is a good incentive for any region to participate in.
Money comes in from outside sources and in turn provides jobs and funds for improving infrastructure.
The village locals I met were friendly and did not shut the door in my face. They know about the project and look forward to seeing the results it will bring.
Nevertheless, who is promoting this region?
I found a few travel agents marketing two-day tours of Beypazari but they were targeting Turkish customers and only the main town center appeared on the agenda. Dudas village and the surrounding 32 villages were not on any schedule.
There is potential here with foreign tourists. People can stop in Beypazari when on the typical tours of Istanbul to Cappadocia. Thirty-three villages, the Inozu valley and the town centre of Beypazari will keep people occupied for at least a week. The close location to the capital also means that people can include Beypazari while on a city break in Ankara.
Many Turkish travel agents have told me that their business is tough. Of course it is. They are all marketing the same product; tours of Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus.
If you are a travel agent targeting the foreign market, you have an opportunity here for a unique and original product.Call it a culture tour. Call it a trekking tour. Employ a professional photographer and run photography tours. Run wildlife and bird watching tours.
Get your thinking cap and think outside the box. Dudas village and the Beypazari region is welcoming tourism to the region. Take advantage of that.
