Göcek is a natural harbour. The chrome and manganese mines which are found in this region were founded in Göcek when the Turkish Republic was formed. The mining companies settled here and became work and food for the people who previously subsisted on agriculture and stock breeding. Göcek was a quiet town until beginning of the 1980s. The business of tourism developed in Turkey in parallel with Göcek when it was discovered and has developed from then on.

The most important feature of the region are the very well protected numerous magnificent bays in Fethiye Gulf and this has resulted in the development of yachting tourism. 

The Turkish Environmental Protection Agency declared on 12.06.1988 that an 805 sq km area is to be protected area in the Göcek and Fethiye regions. A principal condition was that buildings of more than 2.5 storeys are not to be permitted. As a result, the vast majority of the accommodations found in the region are 2 storeys or less number resulting in apartment and pension type hotels. Being small, most accommodations are operated by local people, who serve the customers with cordial hospitality and in accordance with local customs. Göcek is tranquil and peaceful town compared with the other tourist areas constructed prior to the Environmental Protection Act. The town of Göcek has been built with aim on enhancing nature and its beautiful waterfront and is set to go forward into the future with the idea of keeping its visitors happy and relaxed.

Unfortunately, local populaces have now stopped working for agriculture, stock breeding and mining. Nearly all the populations now work for the tourism industry. After the regions conversion to tourism, new immigrants arrived from other cities or countries to work in this area and mixed together. There are now many immigrant families who have settled in Göcek to spend their retirement life because of the natural beauty and peaceful life in Göcek. Due to geographical situation of Göcek and tourism; local folk have interacted with world folks and as a result culture has increased. Göcek town folks were reading newspapers even when many other districts hadn’t even got a newspaper shop.

There are several civil community organisations in Göcek in being for last 20 years. Göcek Culture and Tourism Association works to advertise the region; keep neutrality and also to arrange cultural activities for the people who live here. Göcek Regatta has also become an important event to advertise Göcek and it is arranged by Göcek Yacht Club twice a year. Atatürk Thought Association and Benevolent People Association are also adding new activities to the local folk.

There are only a few people who leave Göcek to live elsewhere, even if they came to Göcek from different places and settled here, they are not moving off elsewhere. Most of the companies are run by the local folk but in additionally many people who have businesses here are visitors who saw what Göcek had to offer and simply stayed on. The youngsters having completed their education now work for the tourism sector, conscious that their fathers retired from mining companies or agriculture. The local folk make great efforts to protect the neutrality of Göcek and know that Göcek is one of nature's wonders.

Göcek is a much favoured place for yachtsmen and tourists and changes the classic holiday perspective with attractive nature and peaceful atmosphere.