An intriguing mix of East and West, Turkey is the cradle of civilizations and cultures connecting Europe as well as Asia and is the capital of civilizations that ruled the in the lands of Anatolia for long periods of time. Turkey is an exceptional location with breathtaking landscapes amazing ancient ruins and an enthralling culture. Turkey is now one of the most sought-after destinations.
In the last two years, Turkey has placed among the top destinations for tourism in the world. According to World Tourism Organization (WTO) data, Turkey has been ranking as the 6th most traveled country worldwide since 2012, and has maintained the position until 2014 with a record-breaking 41 million visitors from all across the globe. Within Europe, Turkey is the 4th most visited destination.
Ministry of Culture and Tourism is implementing and preparing new strategies to produce new tourism products to satisfy the tourism industry’s demand in various ways. When it comes to alternative tourism, which is known as the “Capital of Golfing in Turkey’, Belek is a niche and a stylish resort of Antalya situated on the Mediterranean coast.
Belek is the world’s most sought-after golfing destination in Turkey and has courses created by the legendary Sir Nick Faldo and Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie. Alongside the breathtaking golf course, Belek is also close to the fascinating tradition and culture of Antalya.
Nowadays, Turkey has nearly 25 international-level golf courses. Since 2008 Turkey has been awarded “The The Golf Resort of the the Year” according to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). After Tiger Woods played golf in Turkish Airlines Open in 2013, Turkey has got attraction as a golfing destination across the world.
The golf industry has grown rapidly over the last twenty years within the Mediterranean. It is also an essential factor in tourism development for the EMA region. Turkey has a booming improvement in its golf game, has competing with the leading players in the Mediterranean Market in Spain and Portugal. Lagardere Executive Vice-President Golf Roddy Carr claimed in the Turkish Airlines Open 2015 that “Spain required 15 years of development to achieve what Turkey accomplished in just 3 year.” In the next few time, Turkey can compete better.
In the early the 90s Belek situated in Antalya was chosen by the Turkish government to be developed as a destination for golf due to the advantages of the Belek’s location:
High-level accessibility. (Antalya International Airport (IATA) is among the largest Airports of Turkey)
The availability of a huge portion of land attached to coast that is suitable for a variety of golf course designs.
The right climate conditions permit for playing throughout the year round and provide the best golf conditions during the autumn and spring.
The abundance of water that is sweet.
As a result, Belek-Antalya has been deemed the capital for golfing in Turkey. However, Antalya is also one of the major “sea and sun” as well as “historical as well as cultural” tourist destinations in Turkey. With 16 gold-plated resorts that are high-end, Belek offers golfers a “full family holiday”.
With the improvement in golf, Belek has turned out one of the top stars of golf in the past 10 years.
In addition to Belek-Antalya, Istanbul serves with two golf courses of major importance, and there are three course (2 in Bodrum-Mugla, and one in Kusadasi-Aydin) located along Bodrum-Mugla and Kusadasi-Aydin) along the Aegean coast. The architectural influence of various cultures, the Sultan’s riches stunning views of Bosphorus draw millions of tourists in Istanbul each year.
Because of its stunning aesthetics, Istanbul serves golf lovers with two of the most storied clubs in Turkey: Kemer Golf Club and Klassis Golf Club. Both clubs have played host to national and international tournaments like the PGA Seniors Tour, European Club Cup Trophy since 1995.
The town in the local area of Kusadasi offers 185 acres of 18-hole course that offers a stunning views of Samos Island. It’s an exciting and challenging adventure in the olive and carob trees. Vita Park Golf Club in Bodrum is the first golf course located in Turkey and the 3rd one in Europe to make use of the high-cost Paspalum turfgrass that is eco-friendly.
Regarding the development of Golf the Turkish Golf Federation’s efforts are necessary to emphasize. Turkish Golf Federation was established in 1895, with the title that was “Istanbul Klassis golf Club” however it was rebuilt in the 90s at the beginning. In 1996, the Turkish Golf Federation was founded and was accepted into with the European Golf Association (EGA) in 1997.
The purpose for the association is to encourage golf and tourism in the golf industry. Turkish Golf Federation owns and manages numerous golf clubs across Turkey. TGF the president Ahmet Agaoglu stated that they are committed to developing the golf sport for the future generation of golfers, and making sure those already active receive the support they require to stay involved for the foreseeable future.
Since TGF the year it was founded the TGF’s passion for golf has helped to take the game of golf within Turkey to where it is now and has become one of the top golfing destinations. Golfers from all over the world are aware about the beauty of Turkey, and what’s accessible in terms of designer courses and top-of-the-line hospitality.
We are now looking forward to sharing the game with our own citizens, so that they can be part of the international golfing community. Contrary to what many believe that golf is restricted to the western region of Turkey There are several cities in the eastern region that have registered golfers engaged in their local communities to improve the game . They are also traveling to compete in tournaments and play all over the world.
According to Agaoglu TGF Federation is working closely with the Turkish Government and the group of public and private investors to discover more places where golf courses as well as training facilities could be built. There are currently at least 35 golf course being planned within Turkey with locations discovered along the coast and throughout the country , to meet the growing demand from both international and local sources.
The Turkish Golf Federation established its Junior Golf League, in which junior golfers from around the world are competing for the chance to be part of the Turkish National Golf Team. Turkish Airlines supports the Turkish National Golf Team which is and there is a hope of sending at least one player to participate in Tokyo in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Not just the TGF but too Turkish Airlines contributes Golf sport in the form of opening up new opportunities. It is essential to recognize that effort of the National Flight carrier Turkish Airlines (THY).
At present, there are numerous amateur and professional tournaments in the Turkish Golf Association’s calendar in 2015. Of them three of the most important professional golf tournaments that are on their calendar are the Turkish Airlines Challenge, Turkish Airlines Open as well as the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open, each of which is being held in Belek.
These three events include Turkish Airlines’ title sponsored events that have helped to increase the size of Turkish people’s knowledge of golf through the introduction of significant tournaments into Turkey. Particularly The Turkish Airlines Open has helped to raise the profile and create a positive perception about Turkey as a destination for golf.
It is the Turkish Airlines Open and Ladies Open which is now the cornerstone in the European Tour’s “Final Series’ and Ladies European Tour – takes place in May and is attended by some of the most prestigious athletes in the world, and with the biggest purses available worldwide. The tournament is held in March. Turkish Airlines Challenge is also an important event in the European Tour.
In addition, Turkish Airlines continues to assist golf all the way from beginning to end and the championships for the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Amateur Series scheduled to take place before The Turkish Airlines Open. It is now in its third year it is the Amateur Series continues to cross the globe and leave its mark on the game of golf.
There are more than 70 events taking place in 47 nations The Amateur Series begins in Johannesburg and moves across the world, giving the opportunity for amateur golfers to play in the hope of making it to the Grand Finals in Belek. Alongside this competition, Turkish Airlines offers to carry the equipment of one golfer free to golfers who decide for golfing in Turkey.
Because of the numerous advantages mentioned over, the game of golf can be among of the major components of tourism in Turkey. Turkish Government is keen on golf to promote tourism development. There are close to 25 golf courses planned in Antalya as well as eight additional in the rest of Turkey.
It is also possible that golf has been increasing rapidly within Turkey among the biggest challenges associated with this development is to boost the interest in golf locally in the near future, to keep the game alive in Turkey.
Get in touch with the experts at golfturkey.com when looking for golf breaks in Turkey.
