Officals pay daily 20 liras in vacation sites

ANKARA

The cost of holiday facilities for public sector workers was published by the Finance Ministry in Official Gazette yesterday, at 20 Turkish Liras for a seaside accommodation with three meals.

The 2013 prices for public sector holidays made headlines last week with an outburst by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claiming the facilities are a “waste of state money.” Classified based on 21 criteria of luxury, holiday facilities in at least 15 of these categories are deemed most expensive. These high-cost facilities are often along a seaside, lake or river, are suitable for winter sports, have swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths and car parks. During the busy season, these facilities cost 19.95 liras for public workers. One-night accommodation at guesthouses serving public officers and their families runs for seven liras.

Last week, Erdoğan said the facilities operate for just two months and then are abandoned. He suggested that the state make deals with hotels on the same terms, hinting that these holiday facilities may be sold in the future.

Following Erdoğan’s scolding, the Finance Ministry put the sale of 779 public facilities on its agenda.