"Dolphinarium plans create major protest"

[Judith]

anythings better than dolphin therapy!!

[peecee]

I went to see the pool today. First, they were topping it up with  water from a hosepipe.  It was about 2/3rds full so, obviously, the water is not to standard of sea water.
Secondly, spoke to a number of Thomas Cook reps (Lord love them!) who said they wouldn't even be mentioning the 'attraction'.
I really do think we need to find out who in Hisaronou will be promoting this.  If anyone goes to a bar/restaurant/attraction could they please  ask?

[Scunner]

I doubt anyone will say they are selling tickets at this time. As more tour booking agencies refuse to promote the paddling pool, the rewards being offered to do so will increase until one or more can resist no longer in these testing financial times and decide it is an opportunity too good to miss.

Mark my words, I can almost guarantee it...

[peecee]

You're probably right Keith

[Scunner]

Trust me please, I know how business works in Fethiye. Sadly.

If there is one silver lining to my prediction, it is that the owners will do everything possible to get ticketing agencies and tour operators to sell places. At this time nobody will so the owners will have to make it more attractive. This means paying the agencies more, probably much more. That has to be recouped and can only be through increasing ticket prices. Increasing ticket prices directly affects demand...

[crystalgirl]

Yes you have totally hit the nail on the head Keith, if there is money to made in something people will do it.  I know my turkish uncle would sell these tickets out of pure innocence but if everything was explained to him he would throw the tickets out of the door, and definately without a moments hesitation if he knew the big tour companies weren't supporting this.  If people ae made aware they will help I am sure, there are still several decent people out there.
Good luck everyone

[peecee]

I didn't know where the site was so asked a number of people (who didn't know either)  Eventually this guy who worked in a restaurant told me, I asked him if he would be recommending it (he said no, didn't approve at all).
Must admit my biggest concern is that the restaurant/bars etc, when asked 'what to do, where to go' will promote it.  Have said before I feel there is a need for people to check out the local venues re: this.  Will there be leaflets around offering discounts etc?

[Dolphin Angels]

A contact wrote to Mr Hamish MacTurk in reply to the same ambiguous answer that many have received. It goes thus...

thank you for your quick reply, however it does not answer my question.
Will you be selling tickets and transferring tourists now you know the pool does not meet standards. Please answer YES or NO...

Hamish Mac Turk replied NO!!!!!!! unquote

can we hear the sounds of ten green bottles being sung!

[cheers]

quote:Originally posted by Scunner

Trust me please, I know how business works in Fethiye. Sadly.

If there is one silver lining to my prediction, it is that the owners will do everything possible to get ticketing agencies and tour operators to sell places. At this time nobody will so the owners will have to make it more attractive. This means paying the agencies more, probably much more. That has to be recouped and can only be through increasing ticket prices. Increasing ticket prices directly affects demand...

Business is business everywhere Keith!!  Hopefully people will boycott the agencies selling these tickets, but if the  money is there they won't be able to resist.  They will just pay cheap labour to take the flak off objectors!!
At the end of the day as you say ticket prices will go up and in this economic climate a family with 2-3 kids will not be able to afford to go anyway!! (In a good way they will not get upset seeing the conditions the dolphins are kept in - they won't see the dolphins with cuts on their mouths where they have tried to chew their way out, they will not see the wounds on their body where they have tried to smash the bars of the cages down to get out!)

Sorry Dolphin Angels I just couldn't take your advice not to contact HMcT. I would like to say I don't know him, have never spoken to him and have never bought a trip from him!
As you know I did post an e mail from him where he stated he had not signed any contract with the Russians - I e mailed him back and asked was it his brother then who had signed the contract?
I received the following reply this afternoon:
Hi Linda ,
 
How many times i should write to you more ?  He only spoken with them. He can not sign any paper for HAMISH McTURK travel. My company is not will be with them

As from this morning there is no option of 'Swimming with Dolphins' on his websites either in Kas or anywhere else!!

But..........As Keith says 'MONEY TALKS!!............Time will TELL

[Sue T]

For it to open as a  dolphinarium the 'pool/puddle' will have to be licensed by the National Parks manager and info passed to me by a 'little bird' that the local NP manager spoke to indicates he is well aware of the protest on the internet and is unlikely to give permission on the grounds of animal rights.  Also we know that the council leader Mr K is back peddalling as fast as he possibly can in the face of the contracts he/the council signed before the issue was really thought through.