Istanbul's tourism boom gets 2015 off to flying start

Photo: Adisorn R

Statistics released in January reveal that Istanbul is now home to the fourth busiest airport in Europe. Ataturk Airport saw passenger numbers increase 11 per cent in 2014, from 51 million in 2013 to 57 million. The rise saw the city overtake both Madrid and Amsterdam, with only London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaule and Frankfurt receiving more traffice in 2014.

"Such a bullish rise would indicate that Ataturk could break into the top three busiest European airports in 2015," says Turkish property specialists Spot Blue International Property. "It also reflects how more airlines are choosing Istanbul as a transfer hub, and highlight the growth of Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines."

Turkish Airlines have been crowned European's best airline for four years in a row by Skytrax. Istanbul, meanwhile, is already planning an even bigger airport. Costing €10.2 billion, it will boast the largest terminal complex in the world. It aims to open as soon as 2017.

Indeed, Turkey has been an increasingly popular choice among investors on TheMoveChannel.com. The country is now an estbalished presence in the site's top 10 countries. Property sales to foreigners in the first 10 months of 2014, meanwhile, surged 66 per cent year-on-year to a total of 15,417, according to the Turkish Statistical Agency.

Spot Blue highlights Karakoy, in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, as a hotspot for investors, thanks to renovations and hotel construction work currently being carried otu in the area. With room capacity forecast to increase by 1,600 rooms and tourism on the up, Turkey's property market appears to be off to a flying start in 2015.