Record water flow at Turkey’s Saitabat Waterfall boosts regional tourism

Heavy snowfall this winter and rapid melt in the Uludağ area sent an unprecedented volume of water down the Saitabat Waterfall in Kestel, Bursa. The cascade, which had been reduced to a thin trickle during recent droughts, reached a flow level not seen in the past ten years.

Kemal Akçay, administrative officer of the Saitabat Village Women’s Solidarity Association, said the resurgence has revived local tourism, drawing visitors from Istanbul, Ankara and Thrace. The surge has increased demand for nature walks, village breakfasts, trout farms and horseback‑safari tours, and local merchants report a noticeable rise in business.

Officials expect the higher water reserves to sustain the waterfall’s attractions throughout the summer, offering a new boost to the regional economy.