Türkiye emerges as top destination for British golfers

Türkiye has become a popular destination for British golfers, according to UK-based golf tourism agency, Par5 Escapes.

Co-founder Abdullah Hazar told Anadolu that 5 million of Europe's 10 million golfers reside in the UK, making Türkiye a key market for British golf tourism.

Data from the Belek Tourism Investors Association (BETUYAB) showed that in 2023, Russians, Germans, Brits, Kazakhs and Poles were the top foreign visitors to Belek -- a renowned golf resort in Türkiye's southern Antalya province.

The district welcomed 1.77 million local and foreign visitors in 2024, marking a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic-related decline in 2020, when numbers fell below 608,000.

In 2023, 162,426 visitors from the UK traveled to Belek, the highest for British tourists in the last four years.

“Türkiye, particularly the Belek region, is a key market for British golf tourism,” said Hazar, noting that Belek's world-class golf courses are capable of hosting international tournaments.

“Golf is a sport played outdoors and often for extended hours, making weather conditions crucial for enjoyment,” he said, emphasizing that Antalya's mild winters attract British golfers looking for favorable conditions during the colder months.

He pointed out that British golf tourists tend to be high-spending.

“The average expenditure by a British golf tourist for accommodation and golf course fees in Belek ranges between £1,500 and £3,000 ($1,850 to $3,700) for a seven-day golf holiday at luxury hotels,” he explained.

The all-inclusive concept is particularly appealing to British tourists, as similar packages are limited and often lower quality in other parts of Europe.

“The direct flights from various UK cities to Antalya add to Türkiye's appeal,” he said.

Hazar also highlighted the social aspect of golf in boosting Türkiye's popularity.

"We organize joint tournaments with golf clubs in the UK to promote Türkiye, and participation of Turkish golf hotels in events like the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) is also crucial," he said.

He emphasized the importance of continued support from the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), which has conducted successful campaigns and collaborations in the UK.

“TGA's continued support for golf tourism is vital for enhancing Türkiye's competitive edge in this market,” added Hazar.

*Sibel Morrow from Istanbul contributed to this story.