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Golf drives property success in Turkey
With the construction of international class courses well underway and more planned, Turkey really is golf’s next big thing. The Turkish Golf Federation has ambitious plans for 100 courses nationwide in the next 15 years, up from just 17 today. Big names in the world of golf design are already active in the country, driving up the quality of design and facilities. The challenging 18-hole Montgomerie Course, which opened at the Papillion Golf Club in Belek, Antalya in October last year, was designed by legendary Scottish golfer Colin Montgomerie. A Nick Faldo signature course, the 27-hole Cornelia Faldo, has been operational since 2006 nearby.
With an estimated 4 million golfers in the UK and Ireland and around 60 million golfers worldwide, the Turkish government is keen to tap into this huge market as part of its plans to diversify the country’s tourist industry, which is already one of the fastest growing in the world. “Turkey has really made its mark as a global tourism destination in recent years. The Association of British Travel Agents reported a 20% increase in holiday bookings for Turkey in 2008 compared to the previous year and it even knocked Spain off the top spot as the most popular summer holiday destination according to Co-Op Travel.
Turkey is keen to continue in this vein, attracting even more visitors and offering world class golf courses and facilities along with excellent value real estate is a further step in that direction,” comments Irfan Onal, director of the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism office in London. Turkey appeals to British golfers thanks to its pleasant Mediterranean climate, with ideal playing conditions throughout the year. “The country offers year-round golfing with the mild, sunny winter weather making a particularly attractive alternative to the cold, wet British weather. Even in the hottest months of July and August early-risers can get a round in and be relaxing by the pool before things get too hot,” says Laurence Kaye of Alternative Travel, a specialist Turkish golf travel operator. Ease of accessibility with plenty of charter flights and flying time of only three and a half hours also recommend the country.
Traditionally golf in Turkey has been centred on Istanbul and the resort of Belek, 30 km east of the city of Antalya. However, the cosmopolitan Aegean resort of Bodrum now has 3 courses open or in the final stages of construction, with 4 more planned for the area. This has encouraged development to meet the demand for quality accommodation from golfers, be it for rent or purchase. In the Tulza area, for example, the first of two classically designed 18-hole golf courses opened earlier this summer at the Vita Park Golf Club, with the second course due to open in 2009. Surrounding the courses are a number of residential developments offering affordable property to purchase. .
Lavender Hills at Dream Village is just 5 minutes from Vita Park Golf Course and offers stunning 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, duplexes and villas with excellent facilities from £62,000-£150,000. Turkish property specialist Buying in Turkey has an exclusive offer giving investors a ‘hands free’ 9% rental guarantee for 3 years on apartments with no service charge and 4 weeks annual personal use. The Hilton Hotel Group’s decision to create a €100 million luxury resort around an 18-hole golf courses at Sarigerme, just 15km from Dalaman airport, is another indicator of the growth of golf in Turkey. Scheduled to open in 2009, the Hilton Dalaman Golf and Spa Resort will be a major boost for tourism locally and cause a healthy rise in property values in the areas of Sarigerme, Akkaya and Dalaman.
Property in the area is currently excellent value with Buying in Turkey offering 2 and 3 bedroom villas with stunning views of the sea and the new golf course available off-plan from just £135,000 / €169,900. Land plots for bespoke luxury villas are also available. Kaye concludes, “Turkey is well on the way to becoming a significant player in the golf tourism industry offering courses and a climate on par with traditional destinations such as Spain or Florida, but at a fraction of the cost. Being located outside the Euro-zone is also a major plus to those seeking reasonably priced golf homes or buy to let investments.” 25/10/08
Dominic Whiting is editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, BUYINGINTURKEY.CO.UK Download a free PDF version of the Buiying in Turkey Guide.
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