by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye aims to diversify its tourism appeal by promoting golf tourism along the Mediterranean coast, where new season bookings are on the rise, according to industry representatives.
The Belek Tourism Center, situated on the Turquoise Coast in southern Antalya province, is a top tourism hub in the country and one of Europe's premier golfing destinations.
Türkiye is not only a great choice for beach holidays and home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites but is also becoming an increasingly popular golfing destination, according to Esra Demir, a travel agency associate from the Ankara-based Sun Tours.
"There is increasing interest in golf tourism in Belek and other courses in Antalya from enthusiasts, particularly from the United States, Britain, and other European countries," she told Xinhua. "Bookings are up by 15-20 percent for the 2025 season."
For Antalya, which attracts millions of foreign tourists each year due to its mild climate, beautiful landscapes, and golden beaches, golf tourism is becoming increasingly important for diversifying the region's offerings. Over the past two decades, the province has hosted several tournaments, such as the Turkish Airlines Open and the Turkish Airlines Challenge, attracting athletes and fans from around the world.
Of the 21 internationally recognized golf courses in Türkiye, 16 are located in Belek, making it a significant destination for golf enthusiasts. Business insiders indicate that Türkiye's world-class luxury hotels in Belek have been a driving force behind the rise of golf tourism in the country.
Hasan Ceylan, director of the Carya Golf Club in Belek, told the semi-official Anadolu news agency that they have the potential to accommodate 680,000 golfing matches across all 16 courses each year. He also pointed out that, since golfing is a year-round activity, the resorts and hotels in Belek remain open even during the winter months, highlighting the need for more direct flights to Antalya Airport.
"Golf is a lucrative tourism activity for Türkiye," said Murat Toktas, vice-chairman of the Turkish Hoteliers Federation, noting that the development of golf tourism in Belek has enabled hotels in the area to remain open year-round instead of closing during the winter when beach crowds dissipate.
The tourism sector, generating billions of U.S. dollars each year, is vital for the Turkish economy, which is experiencing serious challenges amid high inflation. Toktas emphasized the need for Türkiye to continue diversifying this key sector. ■
