THE EMERGING GOLF CAPITAL OF TURKEY - BELEK

Appreciating the benefit of a short transfer time from the Antalya International Airport, Belek is a unique region that has been thoughtfully designed for nature, the seaside, congress, football, tennis and golf tourism.

The increased number of foreign visitors in this astounding holiday resort are creating a highly desirable investment zone. The past 2 years have lead the numbers to higher counts by many discovering Europeans.

Over the past few years, the Belek holiday resort has pushed harder and harder to be placed 1st amongst all other selected holiday regions, as both twin towns of Belek and Kadriye are earning a brand name with its popularity whilst they present a new appearance to the Turkish Golf Tourism industry. The Ministry of Tourism has declared the Belek region as the 'Tourism Center for the next 1,000 years' due to its unmatchable natural surroundings and tourist facilities of the finest quality.

Belek and Kadriye are fast and highly developing holiday and golf resorts that have doubled commercial investments, public amenities and residential zones in a very short period of time.

The demand in the real estate industry has set off a building explosion amongst the twin towns of Kadriye and Belek. These towns were once quaint little villages where agriculture was a major source of income. It was also a place where Turkish people could travel from other cities, to spend their vacations along the luxuriant coastline. Today this is an emerging area conveniently situated as the first and closest holiday resort from Antalya and the Antalya International Airport.

In addition to offering everything you could expect from a holiday resort, it boasts a wide range of Championship golfing and convention tourism thus making the area very unique in comparison to similar holiday regions.

This is one of the rare places on earth where you can enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year. The complete coastline stretches about 29.5 km between River Aksu on the west and the River Sarisu on the east. The Belek region is very rich in flora and fauna as it is home to various habitats with different characteristics; namely forests, rivers, streams, agricultural areas, aquatic habitats and sand dunes.

While five-star tourism establishments, summerhouses and arbors occupy an important portion of the beach; there is no construction in one area. For the most part, the region is under protection regulations as the "Belek Specially Protected Area" and "First Degree Natural Site". A number of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle nests that have been discovered during the last three years, reveal that the Belek region is the second largest known nesting area for the sea turtles after the Zakynthos Island of Greece.

When people think of Belek, they only think of the town of Belek. But in actual fact, the Belek region consists of both the towns Kadriye and Belek. There is also the town of Serik that borders the twin towns. It is the main municipal district for the towns of Kadriye and Belek.

The locations of the Golf courses and hotels are split between the towns of Kadriye and Belek, and not just Belek alone. But for tourism purposes, the region has been chosen to be introduced as Belek.

The heart of the region, Kadriye, is a newly developing and fast growing town with palm lined streets. Within the next 2 years, there will be a 10,000 student capacity University built in Kadriye, in turn increasing popularity and demand for student lodging and family type living...more property and property rentals...!

The charming town of Belek is 3 km east of Kadriye. This too is a rapidly developing town that is surrounded by newly built arches lined along the main road between the twin towns, and resemble a similar attractiveness to that of Kadriye.

Both towns offer a large variety of shops, restaurants and entertainment with festivals held periodically throughout the year.

The public transportation is conveniently available with connections to other areas such as Antalya, Side and Alanya; as well, an inexpensive and popular way to get around.

The main Kariye - Belek road is popular with cyclists who enjoy breathing in the fresh sea and forest air.

Since 2005, both Municipalities of Kadriye and Belek have worked hard to add finer touches to the area. Similarly hard work carries on; ensuring security and public conveniences. Today works still continue at a steady pace - extending more streets and upgrading the infrastructure.

All this work creates a great deal of other possibilities for the fast growing residential areas whilst adding value to the real estate market.

A new project development along the Acisu River between Kadriye and Belek is in the planning stages. The Acisu River main road is planned to be the 2nd main road, beginning at the entrance of Kadriye and following along the riverside to Belek. This new and exciting tourism and lifestyle project will offer scenic boat tours, pedestrian paths, restaurants, bars, parks and recreation centers for all to enjoy.

MORE GOLF TOURISM INVESTMENT

Some of the features of the resort include the 10 Championship Golf Clubs, and over 48 five star hotels and holiday villages totalling a 60,000 bed capacity. During summers the area hosts a population of over 90,000 visitors, ranking well over No.1 compared to many other comparable towns. The total Antalya area will eventually be enriched with a total of 18 different golf clubs.

GARDEN OF RELIGIONS

During early March 2005, a pleasant attraction in the Kadriye district called ‘The Garden of Religions’ the first in Turkey, and the second in the world was opened with a grand ceremony.

The purpose of this placement was to embrace 3 religions consisting of a Synagogue, Mosque and a Church that invites nearly 500 visitors daily, to this brotherhood like area.

The entrance is free of charge and open all year round to anyone wishing to practice their religion away from home. It is a preferred facility for weddings.

INVESTMENT IN BELEK AND KADRIYE

Ever since the project to beautify the region was approved and supported by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, it has become a trend amongst foreigners to buy property in this area.

Nationals from Britain, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Netherlands are among the most popular nationalities to purchase real estate in this region. In 2005 alone this increase was well over 40% compared to the year before.

From an investment point of view, looking back 10 to 15 years, all you could find in Belek and Kadriye were the occasional Turkish cooperative holiday homes - more so on the Kadriye side.

These villas were built as affordable summer homes for the Turkish vacationers, who would come to spend time during their summer vacations, from big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. Other than that it was not a very populated region. Then 4 to 5 years later, a golf course was built; The National Golf Club. Soon after the news of a golf course was heard, the hotel chains began investing and building. Subsequently, the town slowly began developing and more cooperative homes were constructed. Since this time, over 48 five and seven star hotels and resorts have been built. Land that was once considered of not much value is now very hard to find at what was once known as "cheap". However, it is still considerably lower priced than most places in Europe for a golf heavy region.

At the start of 2005, the 2 or 3 bedroom cooperative villas that could once be purchased at 5,000 €, 10-15 years ago, became valued at as low as 40,000 €, and within 2 years, now carry a higher market value of 85,000 € - 125,000 €. The building boom for new residential and commercial projects also began - in order to supply the large demand of foreign investment. Luxurious golf villas began to surface at starting prices of 99,000 €, reaching prices of up to 500,000 €. Currently, there are over 45 new build residential projects alone between Belek and Kadriye, and more in the planning stages. If this isn't a property building boom, what is?

NATURE IN ABUNDANCE

More natural surroundings that make the Belek area unmatchable and unique are the national parks by the Besgoz and Aksu rivers near Kadriye. 574 different plant species are present, where 29 are endemic and live in this unequalled atmosphere. A nearby bird sanctuary is home to109 different bird species, where you can see the camouflaged owl. During the fall the coastal region welcomes the Caretta Caretta sea turtles to their nesting grounds, one of 17 privileged areas along Antalya's Mediterranean coast.

Fifteen to twenty minutes from Belek are several historical places worth visiting, such as the ancient city of Perge, and the Aspendos Amphitheatre. Aspendos is the best preserved theatre of antiquity and seats 15,000 spectators. It is still used today for the annual Aspendos Opera and Ballet festival and various other concerts. The ancient city, Silyon, and the Koprulu Canyon are also photogenic landmarks proving the architectural success of this well preserved area.

Golf can be played in Belek all year round along with other various sporting activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, horseback riding, cycling, paintball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and basketball.

For those who would like to gear up high, microlites are available in Kadriye and Belek to enjoy the luxurious aerial views of this spectacular region.

The Belek region is a charming place with excellent yields on investments, and expanding touristic and residential facilities. Be a part of an rapidly expanding region, whilst enjoying 300 days of sun, crystal blue sea, golden sandy beaches, and unmatchable history in the Golf Capital of Turkey.