Bodrum's locally-produced carpets favored by celebrities

Carpets produced in Turkey's resort town of Bodrum in Muğla province, have struck the interest of tourists, as well as famous celebrities like prominent actor Michael Douglas and supermodel Kate Moss. Engin Başol, a carpet producer in the town's Etrim neighborhood, said that they sell 60 percent of the carpets they produce in the summer season to tourists from the U.S., Arab countries, Russia and Scandinavian countries.

Başol said that Arab tourists buy the most carpets. Made from natural fibers, the carpets are sold from TL 250 ($85) to TL 2,500. The price of silk carpets is higher than wool carpets. A silk carpet sells for TL 5,000 per square meter. The color and print of carpets also affect the price. Some carpets cost between $10,000 to $100,000. Ümit Doğru, another carpet seller in the town, said German, British, Dutch and South Korean tourists have shown interest in local carpets. The quality of carpets changes based on the number of knots. "Since silk carpets need more effort, their price is higher than others," said Doğru.