Ready, set, go! Sporty properties to take the lead in 2016, claims leading Turkish agent
- 2016 will see more buyers choose homes with sporting attributes than ever before (Universal21)
- Turkish government to focus on growing sports tourism
- Turkey golf offering expands by 58% in 18 years (‘Turkey The Rising Star of Golf 2015’, KPMG)
“2016 is set to see a growth in demand for Turkish properties with sporting attributes, with more buyers choosing homes with a greater number of added health and leisure benefits than ever before,” says Adil Yaman, Director of Universal21.
A bold claim by the largest property management company in Istanbul, indicating an evolution in the country’s real estate market, but not an unfounded one.
The most recent figures from the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) reveals that 2014 saw more than 550,000 ‘sports tourists’ visiting Turkey, spending on average near-on double that of a standard tourist, a total of over $900 million in 2014. Already an important part of the burgeoning tourism sector, this is an arena that the Turkish government have realised could be a hugely successful area for future growth.
Turkey’s sports tourism currently contributes around 1.5% of the nation’s tourist market, yet with a global worth of $180 billion, Turkey wants to increase their slice of the pie. Head of TÜRSAB, Başaran Ulusoy, explains about the renewed focus,
“The share of sports tourism reaches up to 25 percent in some countries. Turkey needs to increase the share of this sort of tourism”.
One sport in particular is drawing increasing numbers of tourists to Turkey: golf. With the country being referred to as “golf’s rising star” by President of the Turkish Golf Federation, Ahmet Ağaoğlu, and the latest addition to the European Tour calendar, the Turkish Airlines Open, placing the country on the international stage, golf tourism is increasingly big business.
Highlighted in the recently released ‘Turkey The Rising Star of Golf 2015’ report by KPMG, the demand for Turkish golf is seen to be rising, with impressive expansion in both the number of top courses available (an increase of 58% in the past 18 years) and the number of tourists playing them, this looks only set to continue in 2016 and beyond.
Whilst the majority of the current courses are centred around Belek, there are plans to extend the golfing reach throughout Turkey, with the excellent climate and transport links major draws for international golfing interest, according to the report. And with the country increasingly sports-tourism-focussed, this has been confirmed by the global head of sport at KPMG, Andrea Sartori, stating that “golf in Turkey looks to have a very bright future”.
Within this context of the increase in golf and sports tourism in general in Turkey, growing numbers of international visitors are already beginning to see the country as a sporting, fitness and health-centric location, with this predicted, in turn, to be reflected in the property market. Growing numbers are expected to look for a sports-focussed property in the coming year, whether to lay down roots full-time or for use as a holiday home.
Adil Yaman of Universal21, explains,
“It is wonderful to see the growing numbers of people discovering Turkey as a sporting destination, whether it is to enjoy a round of golf at one of our increasing number of internationally-acclaimed courses, watch a football match or make the very most of the stunning climate and swim in a pool or play a round of tennis under the Turkish sun.
“More and more buyers are responding to this move to a sporty lifestyle, and looking to purchase a property that supports this by providing them with additional on-site facilities to enhance a healthy lifestyle. We predict that this will emerge as a key trend for 2016, and are in fact already beginning to witness a growing number of enquiries into those projects with fitness or sports facilities on offer.”
One such project is the newly launched Crest Plaza Residence from Universal21. Situated in Beylikdüzü in Istanbul, the project offers an array of facilities that includes a fitness centre, swimming pool, Turkish bath, steam room, sauna, and health club. Just a 20 minute drive from Ataturk international airport and the new third airport and near to all amenities, Crest Plaza Residence is also close to the beach meaning that those outdoor types can swim in the sea or take a run along the sands.
With the majority of apartments offering balconies, a range of spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments are available, with the additional choice of duplex roof apartments. All either overlook the landscaped gardens or a newly appointed park soon to be completed and the project also has the benefit of 24-hour security. One bed apartments are priced from £60,000 / €86,000; 2 bed apartments from £84,000 / €120,000; 3 bed apartments from £141,000 / €202,000.
For more information about Universal21, visit www.universal21.com or call 0203 287 8700.