Investors eye turkey's 'rising star'

One up-and-coming town in Turkey is attracting serious investor interest, claims one author.

The start of flights from Gatwick to Dalaman by low-cost carrier Easyjet in March has sparked excitement in this up-and-coming area on the Turkish Mediterranean. With a recent Europe-wide survey by Savills identifying a property price premium of 37% in an area served by a budget airline,.

According to Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, the arrival of budget flights is ‘big news for Dalaman’. He explained: “It will have a very positive effect on the local tourism and property market.

“The area has already been designated a Tourism Development Region by the Turkish government and is receiving unprecedented investment in its infrastructure and tourism facilities.”

Authentic market town

Dalaman is a beautiful and mainly agricultural area of citrus orchards, lakes and pine-forested mountains. Spared the commercialization of the larger Turkish resorts, the community remains an authentic market town, with many residents still driving around on tractors.

With lots of unspoilt countryside to explore and two of the best beaches – Iztuzu and Sarigerme - on the entire Turkish Coast, the area is ideal for family holidays or retirement buyers.

With Dalaman’s property prices significantly lower than other Turkish resorts such as Fethiye, Marmaris and Bodrum, and the promise of strong price rises on the back of rising demand and the unfolding development plans, the area is also an excellent choice for the investment-minded buyer.

Cheap flights aplenty

Mr Whiting concluded: “There is also an 18-hole golf course due to be completed at the end of the year and 70,000 hotel beds are being created under the government-led development plans. A road tunnel, completed in 2006, brings the posh yachting resort of Gocek within a 15 minute drive”.

Dalaman’s newly expanded, award-winning international airport is already served by dozens of package flights from the UK with over 750,000 British tourists passing through last season. The new Easyjet flights will improve access for tourists and property-owners further.