The Dalaman Marina is official

8 Oct 09 Dalaman news

Construction of the Dalaman Marina will begin at the end of this year, 2009. Dogus Holdings, builders of many award winning marinas in Turkey have been awarded the project. The capacity is for 1800 yachts. Planned completion is for 2011. The project forms part of the £9 billion development of the area.

2008: A year of success

1 Oct 09 Dogus Tourism Group

Turkey's tourism sector has undergone an accelerated rate of growth in the past 3 decades and ranks among the 10 leading, most popular tourism destinations in the world.

The current world recession negatively affected the tourism sector especially in the second half of 2008. Despite the general slowdown, a few destinations around the world, including Turkey, showed positive results in 2008. Turkey received more than 26 million international tourist arrivals, which represented a growth of approximately 13%. Tourism receipts reached USD 21.9 billion, marking an increase of 19% with respect to the 2007. However, "tourism spending per person" rose by 4.3% compared to the previous year, to USD 708. Istanbul had one of the fastest "revPAR" growth rates in Europe, up 23.5% to USD 159.

Hilton opens its first Turkish resort hotel in Dalaman>>

Sunday, July 5, 2009 DALAMAN - Daily News with wires

Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced its first Hilton Worldwide Resort brand in Turkey, and its ninth overall property in the country, with the arrival of Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa.

Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Günay on Saturday joined the opening of Turkey's first Hilton Resort Hotel in the popular resort town of Dalaman in the Aegean province of Mugla, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Günay expressed his belief that Turkey, with its history, nature and destinations for convention, health and golf tourism, will soon become one of the top tourism countries of the world.

“Hilton Hotels Corporation is very glad to be operating in Turkey,” Michael Collini, vice president of development for northern Europe, was quoted by Dogan news agency. “That is why we are preparing to invest in 13 other projects.”

The hotel was built in Dalaman's Sarigerme hamlet, one of the most unique holiday resorts in the world with its natural beauties and history.

Göçay Tourism agreed with Hilton in 2008 to build and run the hotel.

The hotel has a 650-meter-long private sandy beach. Guests can enjoy rafting on the Dalaman River, just beside the hotel.

With modern architecture, the hotel has 12 different types of rooms and suites. The smallest room in the hotel is 36 square meters. The hotel's large room sizes is one of the significant features of the hotel.

Complete with its own private beach, Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa is made up of a series of interconnecting buildings, pools and landscaped gardens. The resort offers a range of leisure facilities, including an integrated 7,175-square-meter health club and spa with gym and treatment rooms, seven outdoor and three indoor swimming pools and two tennis courts.

The investment will have cost some 100 million euros by the time the golf field and convention center are opened in 2010.

Hilton opened its first Turkish hotel, Hilton Istanbul, in 1955. Together with Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa, the company also operates eight more properties – seven Hilton hotels and one Conrad – across six locations: Adana, Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Kayseri, Mersin.

The company plans to introduce its mid-market Hilton Garden Inn brand later this year with the opening of its first property in Kütahya.

Sign Of The Times

TIMES ON-LINE TRAVEL 07 June 2009

An indication of just how popular Turkey has become as a holiday destination comes from foreign currency provider, Travelex, who told Timesonline Travel that while demand for the euro had been flat this year, there had been a 21,5 per cent increase for Turkish lira.

Roman Abramovich buying up land in the area . . .

DAILY EXPRESS THURSDAY 21ST AUGUST 2008

STRATEGICALLY balanced between Europe and Asia, Turkey is a meeting place for east and west, offering all the advantages of the Continent – without the high prices.

According to official government figures, there has been a 20 per cent rise in tourism numbers in the past year and the rentals market is set to reap the benefits, particularly in the South-western pockets of Dalaman, Fethiye and Alanya.

"Over the past four years, house prices have increased by 60 per cent in the South-west – yet it's still affordable compared with other European countries. Rental yields should stay between five and six per cent as the country's infrastructure improves, " she said.

Officially, the currency is the Turkish lira but euros and sterling can be used to purchase property.

Fethiye, 40 minutes drive from Dalaman airport, is one area benefiting from revenue raised by increased tourism.

Popular with visitors for the past decade, and home to Turkey's most photographed beach, Oludeniz, plans are under way to build a marina and make the town a cruise-ship destination.

"Abramovich is already buying up land in this area in preparation for rising prices, and the area is getting more popular with celebs: Johnny Depp was here just a few weeks ago in his yacht, " it was reported.

For now, costs remain much lower than in the UK; council tax is just £80 a year, and food costs are minimal.
Expect to pay three per cent purchase tax and annual insurance premiums of £200, to include earthquake protection.

The British feel safe in Turkey's stunning south

MAIL ON SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST 2008