One thousand people gather at camping and caravan festival in Afyonkarahisar

The first Camping and Caravan Festival took place at Emre Lake in İhsaniye district, organised by the Afyonkarahisar Camping and Caravan Association and the Phrygia Local Action Group. The free event attracted 1,000 participants. Activities included tug-of-war, sack races, DJ performances, and displays of new caravan models. Local specialties such as Afyon sucuk and keşkek were served. Deputy Governor Yalçın Sezgin announced a future TÜBİTAK sky observation event at the same location.

Kızıldağ National Park in Şarkikaraağaç district of Isparta province, known for its blue cedar forests and high oxygen levels, is experiencing high demand in the summer season. Occupancy of bungalows, tent and caravan sites has reached maximum levels. The microclimate created by the blue cedars, unique to Turkey, is especially sought after by people with asthma and respiratory conditions. Nearly all of the 75 tent and 20 caravan pitches are full, along with 5 bungalows and a goat-hair tent camping area.

With the start of the summer season, campsites in Antalya and Alanya are full of tourists. According to experts, occupancy peaks on weekends, and many facilities are booked months in advance. The rise of tent, caravan and glamping tourism provides direct cash flow to small businesses: shops, restaurants, rental points. Authorities remind about fire safety measures in forests.

Police in Adana found a tiny house worth 1,650,000 Turkish lira that was stolen on June 7 from teacher Burcu Güven while she was on holiday in Bali. The house was located in a workshop in Sarıçam district, where it had been taken for repairs. It was returned to its owner; the search for suspects continues.

Arsin Mayor Hamza Bilgin met with caravan enthusiasts staying at Arsin Coastal Park. The travelers said they faced difficulties in many Turkish provinces but were warmly welcomed in Arsin. Bilgin announced a 30-pitch caravan park with toilets, showers and a kitchen is being built together with Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality.

In Bolu, Muay Thai trainer Sabri Damar (61) converted a 51-year-old truck into a motorhome. The 1975 model vehicle was found as scrap in Konya, fully restored, and registered for road use. Damar claims it is the only such vehicle in Turkey.