Gamirasu Boutique Cave Hotel

Suleyman CAKIR

Grew up in Cappadocia, completed his BS in Ankara and had his masters degree in France. He has long years of experience in tourism. Now he is running the Gamirasu Hotel with his cousin Ibrahim. He speaks English and French.

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:

The hotel aims to provide jobs to the local people, preserve Cappadocia's historical heritage and promote bio-farming.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative:

The owner of Gamirasu Cave Hotel says, "We were the first hotel (at the moment there are only two others) in the village of Ayvali and we have changed the destiny of our village. By providing jobs and buying local products, we stopped immigration. We employ local people in the hotel and use locally grown products in our kitchen.

We support the farmers in Ayvali village (called Aravan in the ancient times) and encourage them to farm organically. We use solar panels for heating and river water for irrigation.

One of the projects we are proud of is the preservation of the church next to our Hotel, which was a cultural heritage. We have saved a thousand-year-old cave church from early Byzantine times. Guests at Gamirasu Cave Hotel can visit the church during their stay.

We use in the hotel kitchen locally grown products, mostly from our village. The food is produced with the technical assistance of Rapunzel Bio-Farming Company. As for fertilizer, we still use pigeon droppings.