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Lying on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, the seaside resort of Belek (a testament to Turkey’s tourism success) was first developed as a purpose-built resort in 1984, nominated as a Tourism Centre in 1990 and was recently elected by the Tourism Ministry as the blueprint for Turkish tourism development today and for the next thousand years. Since the discovery of Belek’s natural beauty, set amidst miles of pine forest, the entire area has been carefully planned to make the most of its stunning natural environment and has won international recognition for its environmentally friendly development. It is the perfect retreat for nature-lovers who will be entranced by its 574 different species of flora (with many rare endemic species) and the different types of birds of which many are unique to the area. This beautiful area is also home to the town centres of Kadriye, Belek and Serik which offer many services such as a large number of 4 and 5 star hotels, shops, exchange offices, banks, bars and restaurants. Belek is also within an easy 'dolmus' (local buses) or taxi ride of the bustling city of Antalya and not far from the ancient historic sites of Aspendos, Perge and Side. Turkey’s and indeed Belek’s popularity with overseas visitors is fuelling a real estate boom with international home buyers seeking to own a stake in the region tourism gains. Foremost for golf in Turkey, Belek currently boasts nine top-quality and affordable 18-hole golf courses, two 9-hole Academy courses, one 9-hole Executive Academy course and three 27-hole courses (including one designed by Nick Faldo) at a time when other Mediterranean golf courses, especially those in Spain, are becoming vastly over-priced and over-subscribed. Opening in the area by November 2008 will be one more 18-hole course and the first Links course in Turkey (along with a 9-hole Academy course), and one further 18-hole course is to be unveiled in early 2009. The PGA-branded PGA Sultan (re-named in 2007) course where the annual Beko Classic has been played for the first time this year and the National Golf Club's championship course designed by former Ryder Cup player David Feherty and Senior Tour Professional David Jones are earning Belek recognition as one of the places to go in Golf World's Golf Escapes 2007 supplement. Investing heavily in golfing infrastructure from the outset has put Belek streets ahead of its Bulgarian counterparts who are racing to develop golf into their own tourism marketing mix. Belek is situated just 30 minutes from Antalya airport (the second busiest terminal on the Mediterranean coastline in 2006 and 14th in the world in July 2007), and with British Airways and bmi introducing flights to the city early in 2008, will serve only to have a further positive effect on the regional property market. For those looking to buy property abroad, real estate in Turkey and the resort of Belek in particular remains attractive with the excellent build quality of properties available at low prices proving to be a winning combination. Word of Belek’s reputation as a high quality tourism destination within Turkey is travelling fast making an investment in the resort a savvy move on the back of positive predictions for Turkey’s future tourism revenues. As further developments within Belek resort take place and the market for holidays to Belek grows, buyers of Belek property look set to reap the rewards.
By: rosskernick
Ross Kernick is marketing manager for turkey property specialists Spotblue who have offices in Turkey and the UK and who are real estate agents for property in turkey
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