BODRUM- Turkish Daily News
Ferry round trips will be launched in early May between Muğla's Bodrum district and the Greek island of Samos, with the aim of promoting commerce and strengthening friendship between the two sides of the Aegean Sea.
A meeting was held midweek in the Bodrum Chamber of Commerce Conference Hall relating to the issue. Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TÜRSAB) Bodrum Executive Committee Vice President Tülay Çevik, managers of travel agencies, ferry operators and tourism business owners participated in the meeting chaired by Bodrum Chamber of Commerce President Mahmut Kocadon.
Speaking at the meeting Kocadon said that annually about 350,000 tourists arrive from Rhodes, İstanköy (Kos) and Kilimli (Kalymnos) islands but the amount of commercial income loss was high due to a lack of organization. In three years, at least 600,000 tourists are expected to visit Bodrum from neighboring islands.
Kocadon said they were making mutual efforts to ease the visa procedure along with Greek İzmir Consul General Hara Skolarikou. Bodrum Express Ferryboat A.Ş. Administrative Board Member Bülent Güven said the 40-mile trip between Bodrum and Samos will take about 75 minutes and a round trip will cost 35 euros.
Stating that they came to an agreement with Reina Travel Agency to increase and contribute to tourist circulation between Bodrum and the Greek Islands, Güven said, “we will help build a bridge of friendship and commerce between Bodrum and Samos with the tours we will organize.”
