The value of properties in Turkey increased in March, as did monthly rental charges.

According to the REIDIN.com Turkey residential property price indices for last month, the cost of purchasing a home in the country increased by an average of 0.95 per cent compared to February, and by 8.66 per cent year-on-year.

Istanbul posted the biggest monthly rise of 1.18 per cent, while Izmir recorded the largest annual hike at 11.61 per cent.

Overall, the cost of renting a home in Turkey climbed by 0.85 per cent between February and March this year and the expense of leasing a property is now 7.86 per cent higher than it was 12 months earlier.

The most substantial monthly increase in rental charges was noted in Istanbul (1.06 per cent), while Antalya made the greatest yearly gains with rents jumping by 12.34 per cent. 

Last month, Colordarcy predicted Istanbul's real estate market will outperform property in London over the course of this year, with house values and rental demand both expected to increase in the Turkish city, while relatively flat rents are anticipated in the UK's capital.
 

Istanbul is likely to experience stronger capital and rental growth in 2012 than London.

Colordarcy, a property investment firm, has highlighted the advantages of buying real estate in Turkey rather than opting for assets in the UK's largest city.

The organisation stressed the fact that rental growth in London appears to be slowing, citing figures from the Financial Times indicating net yields on properties in sought-after locations stand at approximately 5.5 per cent.

In comparison, yields of 8.5 per cent are achievable on Istanbul's prime real estate, while the cost of buying a home in the Turkish city is less than half of what it is in the British capital.

Property price growth of 15 per cent or more is anticipated in Istanbul this year, meaning it will match or beat the figure recorded in 2011, the firm asserted.

Knight Frank recently ranked Turkey in seventh position in its Global House Price Index, revealing the value of real estate in the nation as a whole climbed by 7.7 per cent over the course of last year.
 

The value of residential real estate assets in Turkey has risen, new research shows.

According to the REIDIN.com monthly property index for the nation, the worth of homes increased by an average of 0.81 per cent in October, compared to September.

Izmir saw the biggest price hike in this period at 1.53 per cent, while Istanbul also topped the average figure with a jump of 0.88 per cent in its real estate values.

Those who have invested in a property in Turkey with the intention of renting it out may be pleased to learn that rental values climbed by 1.07 per cent across the country between September and October.

Once again, Izmir headed up the table with a rise of 1.58 per cent, closely followed by Istanbul, which posted upward movement of 1.26 per cent. Antalya also performed well, with rents up by 1.24 per cent here.

Residential real estate prices across Turkey have increased by 6.77 per cent between October 2011 and the same month a year earlier, the research noted.

Data from the Land Registry Directorate General recently published by the Anatolia News Agency revealed that 113,687 properties in Turkey are now owned by foreigners.
 

Turkey has been named as one of the best overseas destinations for those considering real estate investment.

Assetz highlighted the potential of the nation, citing its growing economy, increasing demand for rental properties and banking rules as just some of the reasons to opt for a home in Turkey.

Chief executive at the firm Stuart Law commented: "The property market is underpinned by a strong economy with a growing tourism sector, which can be converted into solid rental yields for investors."

He singled out Istanbul as one of the rising stars in the Turkish real estate sector, pointing to its rapid population growth and the shortage of suitable homes in the area.

Earlier this year, Global Property Guide revealed that rental yields for small apartments in Istanbul across some of the city's most popular districts are performing well.

According to the publication, flats of 75 sq m or less in size command the best yields in Sariyer, bringing in 6.87 per cent, while apartments in the 200 sq m to 250 sq m range offer the highest returns in Beyoglu at 4.78 per cent.
 

Buy-to-let investors with homes in Turkey could be tempted to try and cater to the luxury holiday market following recent comments from the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office.

The country has been touted as one of the top investment destinations for some time now, with a strong economic forecast and stable banking conditions proving attractive.

Joanna Marsh, PR co-ordinator for the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, told researchers that Antalya is one of the top locations for luxury holidaymakers.

"The combination of long, sandy beaches, world-class golf courses - 13 at the last count - and the fabulous Mediterranean climate makes this one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Turkey," she said.

Meanwhile, according to the latest Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report Europe from PwC and the Urban Land Institute, the middle class suburb of Bahcesehir is proving popular.

Just 20 minutes away from Ataturk International Airport and 20km from the centre of Istanbul, the Garden City is also home to a burgeoning student population.

Over the past few years Turkey has cemented itself as one of the top destinations for travelling Brits, it has been claimed.

This is according to Tolga Tuyluoglu, director of the UK's Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, who noted that the country has become one of the fastest-growing destinations for British visitors over the past five years.

Indeed, he explained that of the 28.6 million worldwide visitors to Turkey in 2010, with 2,673, 605 coming from the UK, an increase of over ten per cent on the previous year.

"Turkey has gone from strength to strength in the UK market and has been one of the fastest-growing destinations for British visitors," Mr Tuyluoglu said.

The news may be of interest to those looking to buy property in Turkey, with the buy-to-let market expected to improve in line with tourism growth.

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for the office claimed that the country still offers holidaymakers "excellent value for money".

Current exchange rates mean that there is plenty of scope for travelling Brits to make the most of their money while in Turkey, the firm explained.

New figures reveal that Turkey is set to be the most popular summer holiday destination for Brits in 2011.

The news could encourage people who buy property in Turkey as it may mean there are plenty of opportunities to rent it out as a holiday home.

According to Holiday Lettings, there have been more enquiries about Turkey than any other destination from people planning their summer break for next year.

Other summer hotspots for 2011 include Spain, Portugal and Cyprus.

"The destination hotspots are not a huge surprise," commented Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, spokesperson for Holiday Lettings.

"The strength of the euro means that to keep costs down people are continuing to look outside of the eurozone for their main holiday, and Turkey has all of the appeal of a European holiday, without the expense."

It follows the recent news that a new system which comes into force in 2011 is set to measure the energy efficiency of every property in Turkey, with inefficient homes being forced to pay higher taxes.

A steady increase in the number of mortgage quotes being given for Turkish properties has been seen over the past year, it has been claimed.

According to specialist mortgage provider Conti, May was a particularly strong month, with the number of quotes issued more than two times the previous average for 2010.

The news serves to further highlight the strength of the Turkish property market, with ever-increasing tourism numbers helping to enhance the prospects of any buy-to-let investors.

Clare Nessling, Conti's operations director, said that low purchase costs and taxes were attracting buyers.

"These factors, combined with low interest rates and some bargain property prices, have made Turkey increasingly attractive, as well as more affordable, for UK buyers," she added.

"Property purchase costs and taxes there tend to be lower than other popular hotspots. Accessibility is important too and the country has a wide choice of airports which are well served by flights from the UK."

In particular, the mortgage expert drew attention to opportunities available in Bodrum, with its excellent transport links likely to entice investors.

This could lead to an increase in the number of people looking to buy real estate in Mugla, which is the province in which the destination is located.

The Turkish property market is set for yet another boost as new marinas help the country become a major yachting destination.

According to Property Community, Turkey is aiming to prise business away from other Mediterranean coastal destinations by investing in new marinas.

The resort of Cesme is the latest to be given a makeover, after plans were announced to build a 400-berth port in the shoreline city.

Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, told the website: "The marina should breathe new life into the town's waterfront, while promoting Cesme to a wider international audience of holidaymakers and property buyers.

"The ultimate aim is to double the country's share of the lucrative Mediterranean yacht tourism market from five per cent at present to ten per cent."

Currently, property investors are able to capitalise on the fact that Turkey lies outside the eurozone, which makes it cheaper for Briton's to visit because of the favourable exchange rate.

Individuals with an interest in property in Turkey may be alerted by news that Antalya could become the epicentre for tourism in the country, it has been reported.

According to Turkish news provider Today's Zaman, Huseyin Baraner, president of the Turkish Tourism Business Council, said the popularity of Turkey to tourists is fuelling the European market, with Antalya at the centre.

"Antalya will become one of the most important tourism centres in the world. As Antalya's touristic sales increase impressively, competitors to the city are seeing slowdowns at the same rate," Mr Baraner told the media outlet.

Furthermore, he claimed that Antalya was helping to keep many European tour operators on their feet in terms of holiday bookings.

However, he was quick to point out that it was important the council continued to be grounded in order to remain as successful in 2010.

Antalya is located on the south-western Mediterranean coast of Turkey and hosts numerous music and film festivals throughout the year.

Turkey has become an ideal place for Britons who wish to go overseas to hire a holiday home during the tough economic climate, it has been stated.

Quest Turkey quoted the managing director of Holiday-Rentals Courtney Wylie as saying the cheaper nature of such accommodation has proved attractive when purse strings are tight.

He commented: "While the travel industry in general struggles, demand for rentals is going from strength to strength as travellers realise they can rent a whole home for less per head than a hotel."

They can also save money by self-catering, he added.

According to the magazine, Turkey is a clear example of a country where such considerations apply, noting that its location outside the eurozone has helped keep prices down, making it a good place to invest in this kind of property.

Turkey was also recently tipped as a good place to go for ski homes.

In a feature on countries offering this at low prices, overseas investment magazine BuyAssociation noted that it is possible to spend a morning on the beach and still get up to snow-covered mountains by cable car for skiing in the afternoon.

Property investors in Turkey have good reason to regard Bodrum as a prime destination, it has been argued.

Developer Horizon Sky - which has a construction project in progress on the peninsula - revealed that 400 of its 600 units have already been sold.

It said that this testified to the wide appeal of the resort, which has good beaches, yachting and golf on offer.

The firm also noted that the favourable rate of exchange between the pound and the Turkish lira makes the cost of living low, while those buying at the Horizon Sky resort have been able to do so in sterling.

Another piece of good news for Bodrum is that low-cost airline easyJet has lunched new services to the destination and Horizon stated that it is likely these will be extended next year.

Buying in Turkey could be about to get cheaper still, according to overseas investor magazine BuyAssociation, due to anticipated interest rate cuts that would lower the value of the Lira.

Buying property in Turkey is set to become cheaper to do because of movements in exchange rates.

According to overseas investor magazine BuyAssociation, the pound may soon rise in value as the UK economy picks up, while the Turkish lira is expected to fall, making the exchange rate more favourable to Britons.

It suggested that the expectation of base rate cuts in Turkey has pushed its currency down, while an actual cut would make mortgages less expensive there.

Buying a home could become seven per cent cheaper on the basis of a favourable exchange rate swing, the publication predicted.

Those keen to buy in Turkey have ten good reasons to look at Altinkum, Didim Today suggested recently.

Among these are its climate, the low cost of living, easy air access via nearby Bodrum and Izmir airports and the prospect of prices rising with the development of a marina and golf course nearby.

Expats could be attracted to Turkey by its low cost of living, it has been suggested.

Turkish newspaper Didim Today said this is 60 per cent less than in the UK, something that might tempt those considering buying in the country.

People wondering whether it is the right country to live in need to find out more by going there, Julian Walker of Turkish property specialists Spot Blue was quoted as stating by the news provider.

He said: "A lot of people from Britain haven't visited Turkey before and are anxious about it. But once they see how much beautiful, open space there is, they understand its potential."

According to Deutsche Bank, Turkey is set to see five to six per cent price rises annually over the next ten to15 years.

Speaking to the Financial Times earlier this month, founder of broker Istanbul Mortgage Bahadir Teker said the current climate of low interest rates, affordable housing and plentiful mortgage supply makes now a good time to invest in property in the country.

Turkey will remain a popular location with Britons taking overseas holidays next year because of its favourable exchange rate, American Express has predicted.

Such a situation could encourage those involved in investing in tourist rental property.

The Turkish Aegean coastal resort of Altinkum offers a double incentive to investors, it has been claimed.

According to Didim Today, those hoping to buy overseas property for rental purposes can make the most of the fact that there is both a domestic and an international market for tourist rentals in the area.

This is because the resort is favoured not just by Turkish holidaymakers, but also by tourists flying over from Britain and Germany, it noted.

Akltinkum's attractions are manifold, the paper stated, including historic features like the Temple of Apollon, the current Aqua Water Park, the marina currently under construction and a future planned golf course.

The paper also noted that crime rates are low, as is the cost of living, while English is widely spoken in the area.

Property Abroad recently tipped Altinkum as one of its property hotspots for buyers in 2010, along with fellow Turkish resorts Belek and Dalaman.

A Turkish resort that is already popular with British buyers is set to get a new golf course, it has been stated.

Planning and tourism officials have given the green light for an 18-hole course and residential village in a 170-acre site at Altinkum, Didim Today reports.

This will be a "major boost" for the area, not least as it is taking place alongside the opening of a new marina next year, said editor of the Buying in Turkey guide Dominic Whiting.

He added: "It will certainly broaden the area's appeal and have a positive effect on the property market."

The paper noted that there are already 7,000 Britons in Altinkum, with most having been able to buy their properties there for under GBP30,000.

However, it suggested, the top-end market may now develop due to the new facilities being created.

Property Abroad recently said Altinkum's new marina will make it one of Turkey's best property hotspots in 2010.

Turkey has been identified as a boom market by an international mortgage firm.

Conti Finance said that its own figures revealed the country to still be the third most popular nation for prospective British buyers of overseas property, accounting for 13 per cent of enquiries so far this year.

This was up from 11 per cent in 2008 and reflects a number of advantages the country offers, according to the company.

The mortgage supplier said that Turkish property offers both a Mediterranean location and a non-euro currency, which makes it cheaper for Britons.

It also stated that rising tourist numbers - anticipated to reach 30 million for 2009 - are helping to boost the fly-to-let investment market.

The firm commented: "This will ensure that demand for quality rental properties in the popular tourist areas will continue to outstrip supply, making rental yields very lucrative."

Shelter Offshore recently recommended Turkey as a good place to emigrate to for those of limited means, because of its low cost of living.
 

Turkey has been tipped as one of the easiest places for those wishing to leave the UK to relocate to because of its low cost of living.

Overseas lifestyle magazine Shelter Offshore said there are ways in which even those of modest means or who are unable to sell a property to finance a move can emigrate from Britain if this is their ambition.

"Start your own business, seriously downsize, move to a far more affordable country such as Turkey for example," it advised.

Such advice came as the publication noted the increasing tendency of Britons to move overseas, something it said the recession has helped to increase.

It quoted official government statistics showing that 395,000 people left Britain in 2008, compared with 340,000 in 2007.

Turkey's property market is currently at the point of bottoming out, lifestyle magazine Quest Turkey recently said.

The publication advised against holding back from buying in the belief that values may fall further in the country.

The town of Dalyan has emerged as a major destination for Turkish property buyers in recent years, it has been stated.

According to Quest Turkey Property and Lifestyle Magazine, the location, close to Dalaman, has enjoyed a major rise in recent years, thanks to its Turquoise Coast location, where nesting loggerhead turtles are among the natural attractions.

The area also benefits from having nine months of sunny weather per year, while it is also close to Dalaman's international airport, making it accessible from the UK.

Another benefit of the area that may interest investors is the application of local planning controls to restrict development.

Those keen on property in Turkey must make sure they carry out due diligence and are aware of some particular requirements non-nationals must fulfil, Zaman newspaper recently stated.

Among these are a requirement to supply the names of one's parents and to check that the property is not in a militarised zone, as only Turks can buy in such areas.

The growing popularity of cruises and yachting has pushed up the property market in coastal areas of Turkey, it has been claimed.

According to Quest Turkey Property and Lifestyle Magazine, the weather and the "stunning coastline" are good reasons to purchase homes in the country and many resorts offer good access and facilities, such as modern marinas with "breathtaking views".

"The marinas offer potential for economic growth and jobs, thus pushing up demand for homes in the area and increasing rental potential," the news source suggested.

Highlighting the attractions of marina living, the article profiled a number of potential locations for property purchases in Turkey, including Gocek, Kas and Didim, which has a large marina featuring upmarket shops, restaurants, a planned golf course and views across the southern Aegean.

Those investing in property in Turkey are advised that British Airways is increasing its flights to Istanbul from Heathrow Airport as of October 25th as part of changes to its winter schedule.

The low cost of buying and living in Turkey is a reason for its attractiveness to UK buyers, it has been stated.

Head of private clients at property firm World First Elisabeth Dobson noted that many British purchasers are looking for homes at the lower end of the market, commenting: "People are attracted to properties in the region of £30,000 as they know that in the UK they will have to spend that on a new car."

She noted that the country is also affordable because it does not use the euro as its currency - making exchange rates more favourable - while the equivalent of council tax costs £150 a year and there are many cheap places to eat and drink.

Ms Dobson also remarked that the country has a range of cultural attractions that would appeal to people whose interests extend beyond "cheap beer and discos".

Figures from overseas mortgage specialist Conti showed that the number of mortgage applications for homes in Turkey was 65 per cent higher in the first five months of this year than the final five months of 2008.

Those wishing to buy a good property in Turkey can find plenty of prospects at prices of EUR50,000 (GBP42,850) or less, it has been stated.

Property and lifestyle magazine Quest listed three examples of the sort of bargains UK buyers could enjoy.

These included a three-bedroom, two-bathroom villa with a sea view near Bodrum, a three-bed beach apartment at Fethiye, Calis Beach and a one-bed apartment near the beach in Alanya.

Good reasons for buying in Turkey noted by the magazine were a more favourable exchange for sterling buyers to the Turkish lira than the euro, the attractive coastline and the prospects for holiday rentals as tourism in the country continues to grow.

European sales manager at real estate firm Atlas International James Dearsley said this week that tourism not only boosts investment by encouraging buy-to-let, but also through people who have enjoyed the country on holiday thinking: "Why don't we buy a property here?"

It is possible to pick up a flat for as little as GBP35,000 in the Turkish resort of Antalya , it has been stated.

A Daily Mail feature on the resort noted that such accommodation is available despite the fact that the area has become the scene of famous celebrities, with the GBP1 billion opening of a new luxury hotel being attended by A-listers such as Tom Jones, Mariah Carey, Sharon Stone and Richard Gere.

However, the paper stated, cheap accommodation is still available, although prices are rising by 20 per cent a year, suggesting those making acquisitions could see their value rise substantially.

Among Britons enjoying the area is 52-year-old Bob Cotgrove, who told the paper: "The great golf courses, cultural history, fantastic beaches and, of course, the prices, have been a big draw."

Earlier this week a representative of Antalya's chamber of commerce told the Anatolia news agency that with less red tape for buyer, the area could become a major hotspot for overseas buyers, Hurriyet.com reported.

The removal of red tape and a better image could help turn the Turkish town of Antalya into a property hotspot, it has been suggested.

Antalya's chamber of commerce has told the Anatolia news agency there are 21,000 homes ready to be purchased by overseas buyers at healthy prices if the level of bureaucracy involved can be reduced and Turkey's image improved, Hurriyet.com reports.

Faruk Sayin, a member of the acting board of the chamber, said: "The decrease in prices and the rising exchange rate make our country attractive for foreigners to buy real estate."

A recent report sent by the body to the government argued that conditions such as obliging prospective buyers to write for permission to the Aegean Army Command - which can leave a long wait for an answer - should be relaxed.

Britons buying property in Turkey have helped increase tourism in much of the country, Artemis Travel noted.

It said that beach resorts like Didim and Altinkum - where the firm operates - are particularly popular.

Turkey has become an increasingly popular destination for Britons, both for holidays and as a place to live permanently, it has been stated.

Discussing this development, chief executive at holiday home firm Artemis Travel Nigel Harris said the rise in tourist numbers is partly affected by people visiting relatives living in the country, although the higher cost of eurozone holidays and an increase in flights to Turkey are larger factors.

He stated: "Airlines have looked at Turkey as a destination and have looked at where they can best utilise their aircraft and offer more choices to Turkey from regional airports."

The rise in travel options to the country may encourage those considering investing in

.

Mr Harris said Didim and Altinkum are particularly favoured areas, although tourist trips to Istanbul and various beach resorts are also becoming more prominent.

Turkey was voted the tenth most popular overseas investment prospect for 2009, according to the annual Jet-to-let survey published earlier this year.

Turkey is offering a cheaper alternative to the eurozone when it comes to holiday property for rent, it has been stated.

At a time when the pound is weak against the euro and budgets are stretched, the country provides a good alternative destination, as does Bulgaria, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Courtney Wylie of tourist property rental firm Holiday Rentals told the paper: "In high season, you can get a wonderful detached two-bedroom villa in Turkey with private pool near Fethiye or in Dalyan for around £600 per week."

Those investing in property in Turkey may wish to consider letting budget property in order to tap into this market.

Others may wish to look to more upmarket sectors and this segment of the market is growing, the Times reported this week.

Murat Ergin of Savills' Istanbul office told the news provider that the country is "definitely moving upmarket", mentioning Bodrum as a popular place with western buyers.

Turkey's buy-to-let market is currently "very strong", one property firm has claimed.

According to Atlas International, the fact that many developers are offering rental guarantees with their new-build projects makes the country popular with investors looking to make profit on their property portfolios.

Giovanna Gentile, spokesperson for the company, noted that the emergence of cheap flights to the Aegean and Mediterranean has further cemented the market's popularity.

She highlighted a number of locations that may be attractive to investors, stating: "The Bodrum peninsula is very popular as it [is] established and is a proven area."

Altinkum, Didim and Kusadasi were also cited, with Ms Gentile describing them as "up and coming areas where the investors are buying".

Last month it was forecast that Turkey will be popular among holidaymakers in 2009, with Abta - The Travel Association spokesperson Frances Tuke describing it as a "good value destination".

Tourism in the Turkish resort of Dalaman is likely to be boosted by forthcoming accessibility improvements.

According to Flyglobespan, weekly flights to the popular holiday destination will be launched from Aberdeen in May.

This means that Dalaman will be far more easily accessible to people living in the vicinity of the Scottish city, thereby enhancing its appeal to potential visitors.

The launch of new flights to the region could also make it more attractive to prospective property investors, as growth in the tourist trade could fuel extra demand for rental accommodation.

Commenting on the new service, Rick Green of Flyglobespan said: "Turkey, with its rich culture, great beach resorts and reputation as a value-for-money destination, is bound to be a winner."

He added that the services to Dalaman are being introduced in response to demand from customers.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents, the European country has become one of the main hotspots for holidaymakers from the UK this summer.

In fact, figures show that the number of bookings has risen by 20 per cent on a year-by-year basis.


 

Holidaymakers in the UK are increasingly showing interest in visiting Turkey, it has been revealed.

According to Cheapflights.co.uk, economic factors such as the strong euro are putting people off taking breaks to traditional hotspots such as Spain.

As a result, more people are searching for cheaper alternatives which do not use the single European currency and offer more favourable exchange rates.

Turkey was found to be attracting considerable attention from money-conscious holidaymakers, in particular the Dalaman area.

The website stated that in the last year, the number of people viewing information on this region online has gone up by 17.5 per cent.

Commenting on this development, Chris Cuddy of Cheapflights.co.uk said: "A definite trend appears to be emerging for alternative vacation destinations."

This backs up the findings of the Association of British Travel Agents, which recently found that the number of bookings for Turkey has risen by 20 per cent on a year-by-year basis.

 

A British airport has revealed that current economic conditions are driving a surge in demand for flights to Turkey.

According to East Midlands Airport (EMA), services to places such as Dalaman have proved to be very popular with consumers in recent months.

This has been mainly attributed to the fact that Turkey offers more favourable exchange rates than many other European countries.

Indeed, figures indicated that in the last year, there has been a 17 per cent increase in the number of people flying to destinations outside the EU.

Since the pound has recently slumped to all-time low against the euro, this could because people want to get more for their money in other places.

EMA commented: "More and more holidaymakers are choosing to jet abroad to more value-for-money destinations outside the eurozone, such as Dalaman in Turkey."

According to the Association of British Travel Agents, the European country has become one of the main hotspots for holidaymakers from the UK this summer.

In fact, figures show that the number of bookings has risen by 20 per cent on a year-by-year basis.

 

Overseas property buyers who wish to invest in a strong rental market have been advised to consider purchasing a residence in Turkey.

According to Shelter Offshore, the European country offers excellent weather conditions for about ten months of the year.

This, it stated, means that it is popular with holidaymakers throughout this period, which increases the period of time that rental accommodation is in high demand.

As a result, Turkey could be far more lucrative buy-to-let investment market than a place which offers a more seasonal tourist trade, as the opportunity to collect strong returns is not as limited.

Shelter Offshore added that the fact that Turkey is easy to reach all year round is also helping to underpin its rental sector.

The website commented: "It means more [people] can get to their property and rent it and it means that they can easily and affordably keep an eye on it and enjoy it."

According to Property Wire, more than 27 million foreign leisure travellers are set to arrive in the country this year.
 

Holidaymakers from the UK are increasingly choosing to travel outside the eurozone, experts have revealed...

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), millions of consumers are now getting their summer holidays underway, mainly in places such as Spain and France.

However, the organisation believes that less-established markets such as Turkey are also seeing a surge of interest at the moment.

This has been attributed to the strength of the euro, as this has impacted on the cost of travelling to traditional hotspots within the eurozone.

Frances Tuke, spokesperson for ABTA, said Turkey in particular is benefiting from this trend, as the number of bookings is 20% up on last year.

Speaking to BBC News, she commented: "People are thinking about their pockets and where their money is going to go further."

The comments were echoed by Phil Davies of TravelMole, who told the Telegraph that the strong euro is having "significant impact" on where people are choosing to take their holidays.

Visit our off-plan property Turkey page
 

Overseas property investors could benefit from a surge in the number of people visiting Turkey.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents, the European country has become one of the main hotspots for holidaymakers from the UK this summer.

In fact, figures show that the number of bookings has risen by 20 per cent on a year-by-year basis.

Frances Tuke, spokesperson for the organisation, believes this is due to the fact that the strong euro has forced up the cost of taking holidays in other Mediterranean hotspots, such as France and Spain.

She told BBC News: "People are thinking about their pockets and where their money is going to go further."

Since Turkey is benefiting from extra tourism, the country could be an ideal location for buy-to-let investors to consider, as rising demand could create higher rental yields.

According to Property Wire, more than 27 million foreign leisure travellers are set to arrive in the country this year.
 

Pegasus Airlines has announced that it will increase the frequency of flights between Turkey and the UK.

The carrier confirmed that by October, the Stansted to Istanbul service would be operated five times a week, as opposed to thrice-weekly.

Ali Sabanci, chairman of Pegasus, has praised the development, as he believes it will offer greater choice and flexibility to passengers.

He commented: "[This] will increase our appeal to holidaymakers and business travellers alike, who will also benefit from wide availability of quick and easy connecting flights from our Istanbul hub."

The increased accessibility of the Turkish city is likely to encourage more British leisure travellers to consider taking a trip to this destination.

In addition, the new transport links may enhance its appeal among prospective holiday home buyers and property investors.

According to the Times, one in ten holidaymakers in Turkey are choosing to book lodgings in holiday homes.

The newspaper said this shows that demand for good quality buy-to-let accommodation is strong in various parts of the country.
 

An influx of Indian holidaymakers could be set to boost demand for rental accommodation in Turkey.

The European country has just set up a culture and tourism office in New Delhi in an effort to capitalise on the potential the market offers, reports Express Travel World.

This will work closely with Indian media outlets and tourists officials in order to raise the profile of Turkey to local consumers.

It is hoped that this will result in the annual number of visitors from India rising from 45,000 last year to 70,000 in 2008.

Therefore, it is likely that demand for rental accommodation in hotspots such as Antalya will also increase.

N Sevgi Boz, head of the office, commented: "Even the seasoned leisure traveller will find some unique vacation experience in Turkey."

He added that the country offers a diverse range of attractions to foreign visitors.

This comes after research by Co-operative Travel found that Turkey has displaced Spain in terms of its popularity with tourists from the UK.
 

The number of British people booking holidays in Turkey is on the up, according to new figures.

Research by Co-operative Travel found that the European country has displaced hotspots such as Spain in terms of its popularity with tourists.

The organisation believes this is partly because the pound recently slumped to a record low against the euro, thereby making trips to places such as Spain more expensive for British holidaymakers.

Trevor Davis, spokesperson for Co-operative Travel, told the Herald: "This year they are finding the high euro and a shortage of availability means the normal late deals are not available."

He said Turkey has benefit the most from this trend, as the number of bookings for the country has gone up by nearly a third in recent months.

This comes after the Post Office reported a surge in demand for Turkish currency among British consumers.

The organisation described the country as one of the "best-value" destinations in Europe.

 

Rental investors in Turkey are seeing strong demand from German consumers, new figures have revealed.

The Turkish tourism ministry has revealed that 2.75 million foreign holidaymakers visited the country last month, Reuters reports.

Germans made up the highest proportion of visitors from overseas, accounting for 16.71 per cent of tourists.

Meanwhile, 14 per cent of incoming holidaymakers were found to hail from Russia.

Figures also showed that the overall number of visitors in May was 20 per cent higher than the amount recorded a year earlier.

This means that many buy-to-let investors will be enjoying lower vacancy rates in their Turkish properties, as well as higher rental yields.

According to Business Week, Turkey is proving to be an appealing destination to foreign property buyers because it offers relatively low house prices.

The publication stated that a residence in the country is cheaper than a home in other Mediterranean locations such as Spain or Italy.