‘ERDEK FROM UNDERWATER’

The book prepared by the world-famous Underwater Imaging Director Mr. Tahsin Ceylan for the Erdek Municipality and Yesil Valiz Association for Responsible Tourism was launched within the 2017 Erdek Time Festival.

You can read the foreword written by the President of the Association, Arzu Kutucu Özenen, for the book 'Erdek from Underwater' below;

‘Tourism is all about balancing the interests, an economic activity that may be understood years later whether it is a friend or foe for the region. We see a peaceful place, an untouched piece of nature... And we want to share, tell the world... Yet a wise proverb says; ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions’. As long as the rural areas that have been exposed to tourism without any planning and all the touristic places which their sustainability depends on the protection of their natural beauties aren’t governed responsibly, they are deemed to be the victim of their own success.

Responsible tourism, on the other hand, is a concept that can only be successful with the help of the customer demand, just the same as all economic activities. This is why diving tourism has a tremendous importance throughout the tourism strategies that we are working on with Erdek Municipality. People who are dedicated to underwater activities are environmentalists whose hobbies’ sustainability depends highly on preserving the riches of underwater and keeping the sea pollution-free. And most importantly, they are people who have faced underwater life and come eye to eye with a creature of the sea. They are nature enthusiasts who are respectful to the real owners of the habitat in which they are only guests and aware that as much as we are encountering an intelligent life in its natural environment, it is also encountering us. Our efforts to provide the infrastructure needed to host these precious guests properly are continuing.

The amazing photographs of dear Tahsin Ceylan are masterpieces which can only be achieved with great love and effort. My first diving experience, which was for the photograph that you see on this page, once more made me understand what a big world we are living in. By the way, I may be considered as the most startled sea creature photographed by Dear Mr Ceylan.

I owe sincere thanks to Ar. Hüseyin Sarı, Mayor of Erdek Municipality who made all this possible; Professor Mustafa Sarı, Dean of 17 Eylül Bandırma University Maritime Faculty who lead the way with his academic knowledge; Mr Murat Kulakaç, Board Member of Turkish Underwater Sports Federation who have motivated us all the time with his high energy; Diving Instructor Mr Osman Benli from Erdek Diving Club; Mr Kamil Çağlar Engin, Erdek Municipality Director of Agricultural Affairs who made the whole process go smoothly with his whole-hearted efforts; Mrs Mehtap Akbaş Çiftçi who prepared the book for publishing.’

Arzu KUTUCU ÖZENEN
Chairperson
Yeşil Valiz Association For Responsible Tourism