About Turkey
Beautiful and with a centuries-old culture and civilisation, Turkey is a long time favourite for British tourists. Situated at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, the country offers the experience of both worlds to its visitors. Modern city boutiques and exotic bazaars compete for customers, the tolling of church bells interrupts the daily call of the muezzin, and Roman ruins and the beginnings of Christianity compete for attention with the history of the Ottoman Empire and modern secularity.
The regions of Turkey offer a variety of landscapes, character and activities, and whether one is a history or archaeology enthusiast, a sun-worshipper, or city-lover keen on shopping, there is something on offer for everyone. Istanbul, with one part in Europe and the other in Asia, is a fascinating city with its frenzied market places, imperial residences and minarets, and sporting a lively ambience of contemporary art and musical entertainment. Cappadocia in Central Turkey offers an astounding landscape of eroded volcanic rock cones and fairy chimneys, remarkable subterranean cities and rock-hewn houses that merge harmoniously with the ochre-coloured landscape; while further south the 'Turquoise Coast' is a haven for boat cruises. One can enjoy a variety of water sports, sunbathe on golden sands, or explore the wonderful ancient cities of Troy and Ephesus on the shores of the Aegean Sea.
Most visitors concentrate on Western Turkey, with its picturesque seaside resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, scenic and recreational attractions, well-preserved archaeological sites and fascinating museums that bring its rich history to life. Wherever one ventures in Turkey there is certain to be a warm welcome and traditional hospitality, making this a deeply satisfying corner of the world in which to travel.
With a steady increase in annual tourism, Turkey is experiencing an unprecedented level of international exposure and this is, in turn is creating more tourist interest and increasing demand for Turkish property. The value of Turkish property is expected to appreciate in beach front areas by as much as 50% initially, with forecasts for the next two to three years reaching 100%.
The country has applied for the EU membership, with a possibility of joining tha EU in the next ten years or so. The application for membership last yearm witnessed a flurry of foreign investment, particularly from Dubai, which will help boost its already fast-improving infrastructure.
The area around Dalaman and Antalya are particularly popular amongst Turkey property investors as the Turkish government is improving the tourism infrastructure in an attempt to make these areas the most popular of Turkey’s top tourist attractions.
Dalaman is seeing enormous investment including the expansion of Dalaman airport, the building of three marinas and the areas first golf course. Antalya is now the second most invested city in Turkey after Ankara and Istanbul, with new road networks, golf courses and hotels. As this investment programme is only in its early stages, property prices have not yet reacted. This is certainly an area of great potential to property investors.
The number of Britons owning property in Turkey recently jumped by more than 200 per cent in one 18-month period, and what’s more, it is now possible for foreigners to get a local mortgage, which will further encourage this ripening market. In addition to growing political optimism, buy-to-let investors are relishing a tourism boom: a total of 21 million visitors came to Turkey in 2005, a massive 22-per-cent increase on 2004. This year, the government’s target is 26 million. The lion’s share of those 26 million will be visiting west- and south-coast resorts, which are becoming increasingly famous and fashionable.
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