Turkey ups its game as a world-class golfing destination in 2014

Turkey’s campaign to become a global golf destination has gained momentum during 2014, with the golfing resort of Belek hosting a series of international tournaments and Turkey being ranked the fifth most important destination for golf tourism by the IAGTO, said Turkey property specialist Spot Blue International Property in August.

Turkey’s rising prominence on the golf scene is being spearheaded by Belek, a resort that combines championship golf courses with beach holidays, luxury accommodation and affordable new property. Belek now has 15 golf courses within a 15-kilometre stretch of coastline, boasts more than 50 five-star hotels and is just 30 minutes’ drive from the international airport at Antalya.

The National Golf Club in Belek successfully hosted its first European Challenge Tour tournament, namely the Turkish Airlines Challenge, in May this year, with the course receiving praise from leading players. In the same month, the course hosted the PGA Turkish Airlines Ladies Open, which will take place at Belek’s equally impressive Carya Golf Club next year. Meanwhile, building on its hosting of the 2013 Turkish Airlines Open, attended by a selection of leading players that included Tiger Woods, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal Club will host the Open again in November 2014.

Ahmet Ağaoğlu, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, commented that after the inaugural Turkish Airlines Open in 2012, which saw Woods, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood amongst the competing players, bookings for tee-times in the Belek area rose by some 12 to 15 per cent.

Ağaoğlu stated recently that being under the Challenge Tour spotlight in 2014 will only strengthen Belek’s reputation as one of the world’s top golfing destinations. “Last year [2013], 160,000 tourists came to Turkey just to play golf,” said Ağaoğlua. “It’s an industry in this area and people appreciate the courses and facilities here. There is no better value out there than Belek in terms of the compact nature of this area.”

Increasing golf tourism is benefiting homeowners in Belek, and in nearby resorts such as Side and Antalya, by adding value to their property and increasing rental demand.

Golf courses in Belek, Turkey

“Sought after homes are situated on small complexes off the main road running along the coast between the centre of Belek and the neighbouring village of Kadriye,” said Julian Walker, director at Spot Blue International Property. “You can be a 20 to 30-minute walk - or short drive - from a Blue Flag beach, a championship golf course, and bars and amenities. Offering all of these things, as well as a short transfer time, makes the area good for rentals, especially when a major golf tournament is on.”


Typical of what’s available in Belek are a new three-bedroom semi-detached villa with a shared pool and located opposite a golf course, available for €179,000, and a two-bedroom apartment, just a kilometre from the beach and golf, available for just €69,000. 

Rocker Imam of Antalya Turkey

Turkish Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı usually referred as simply Diyanet) has started an investigation for an Imam in Antalya Kaş for making rock music with a rock group he has founded with 2 friends. Imam Ahmet Muhsin Tüzer, probably the first Imam performing rock music in Turkey and in the world, has recently given a concert (you can watch some scenes from the concert below).

An inspector from Diyanet has arrived to Kaş (Antalya) and has talked with the official Diyanet workers and people watched the concert as well as Imam Tüzer.

"I have performed my music work without effecting my duties as an imam" said Tuzer. "I do not believe I have broken any law. I will continue my duties as an imam and my music".

Diyanet is known to be relatively open minded as it allows in vitro fertilization and birth control bills unlike many religious bodies around the world. Recently, it has allowed women to be trained as preachers and in March 2005 two women were appointed as vice-mufti in Kayseri and Istanbul. So an imam making rock music should not be a problem.

Israelis are flocking to Antalya once again

After Gaza Flotilla incident in 2010, tourist arrivals from Israel to popular Turkish Mediterranean resort town of Antalya was hardly hit. In July 2010, the arrivals of Israeli travelers to Antalya dropped %72, compared to July 2009. 

But things are turning around now as Israelis are flocking back to Antalya. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, between January and June, 126,700 air passengers have made their way between Tel Aviv and Antalya, a 33% increase over the period last year.

The exodus to Antalya looks like it will continue this month. On Thursday, eight charter flights operated by three separate Turkish carriers departed Israel for the Turkish resort area. No Israeli airlines currently fly to Turkey due to the refusal of the Turks to accede to security arrangements that Israeli authorities have demanded before service is resumed.
Source : Two years on, Israelis are flocking to Antalya once again

 Back in March 2013, Haaretz also reported that "Turkey may again become favorite Israeli tourism spot, in wake of Netanyahu's apology". Same time in the year, Turkish newspaper Sabah has reported a similar trend:

Last March the number of Israeli tourists to visit Antalya dropped exponentially to 363, however this year has seen a recovery with 4,117 Israeli tourists visiting Antalya in March alone. According to a written announcement released by Antalya Chamber of Trade and Industry (ATSO) Executive Board Chairman Çetin Osman Budak, figures from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism show that Israeli visitors are now increasingly selecting Antalya as a preferred destination.
Budak pointed out that in March of 2010, 13,787 visitors came to Antalya from Israel, however in 2011 that figure dropped to 267 and in 2012 to 363. Budak stated that this year's figures show a recovery with 4,117 Israeli tourists visiting Antalya in March of this year.
Source : Israeli tourists to Antalya are on the rise

Tourists in Antalya - Source : Sabah English