| The popularity of Turkey as a holiday destination | | | | purchase property. Despite a steady increase in |
| This article is for those people who are still | | | | property prices, homes in Turkey still offer |
| unaware that Turkey has become one of the | | | | tremendous value for money, particularly if one |
| most sought after tourist destinations over recent | | | | compares it to other destinations where UK |
| years. Now find out why. | | | | expats have traditionally bought homes, such a |
| Climate | | | | Portugal, Spain and Florida (USA). In fact, one can |
| With over 300 days of sunshine per year, the | | | | still find cheap Turkish villas on offer. |
| Turkish climate is fantastic. The climate is so | | | | Excellent holiday destination |
| good, that it has affectionately been called the | | | | Traditionally, Turkey has focused on |
| "New Spain." In fact, Spanish tourists have | | | | archaeologically and historically motivated tourists. |
| themselves begun to visit Turkey in larger and | | | | That has changed over the last few years, with |
| larger numbers. In 2007 alone, 200 000 Spaniards | | | | the number of 'regular' tourists increasing |
| visited Turkey. | | | | dramatically. Figures show that tourist numbers |
| EU membership | | | | have gone up from 8 million visitors in 2000 to |
| Since becoming a member of the EU, Turkey has | | | | nearly 31 million in 2008. |
| been accepted as part of the European | | | | The numbers have risen for a variety of reasons, |
| community, and more and more Europeans have | | | | not least of which is the overwhelming choice of |
| been investing in the Turkish property market. | | | | activities that tourists have. There are many |
| However, it still remains one of the most | | | | things to do in Turkey; enough to cater for every |
| affordable destinations in Europe. | | | | taste. From health care and spa facilities to |
| Landscape | | | | seaside resorts and golf courses, Turkey has it all. |
| Like Spain, it has picturesque beaches and a long | | | | Affordable property market |
| coastline that meets the Mediterranean. As such, | | | | The financial crisis has made mortgage payments |
| there has been huge development in Villas, | | | | unaffordable for some foreign investors. The |
| especially golf villas, around the country to attract | | | | latest data now shows that foreign home owners |
| the jet set and make Turkey a must-see | | | | have been looking to offload some of their |
| destination for tourists. Its coastline is over 5000 | | | | investments, with the number of homes for sale |
| miles in length ( over 8000 km) | | | | on the increase. This represents a great |
| Ease of purchase | | | | opportunity for those with cash in hand. |
| Laws passed in 2007 by the Turkish government | | | | I'm already packing my bags - see you there... |
| have made it easier for foreign nationals to | | | | |