How Golf Turkey Has Developed So Much?
Golf Turkey adventure Although the first golf club started its activities in 1895, four years after the one in Spain and five years after the one in Portugal; The second golf course in Turkey was only started to be built in 1986. In 2004, the number of golf courses in our country could only increase to nine. Golf tourism revenue was only US$20 million in 2003; that is, it was only two thousandths of our total tourism income.
The importance of golf tourism within the policies of developing golf and alternative tourism types in Turkey has emerged with the newly built golf courses and the demand created in recent years.
In order for golf tourism to occur, golf club is also necessary besides the known tourism opportunities (accommodation, transportation, food and beverage, entertainment and other superstructure investments). Golf clubs are businesses that offer and organize facilities such as Equipment Store (Pro-shop), Golf Course Reception (Golf Desk), Club Carriers (Caddie), Eating and Drinking besides the golf course so that they can practice golf. Golf Clubs can be divided into three main categories as Closed, Open and Semi-Closed.
No matter where the golf facility is built, the main goal should be to make the area a higher quality land in terms of nature quality when the facility is completed. Therefore, increasing the number of golf facilities in Turkey; The creation of new golf destinations, as in the case of Belek, on the condition that golf investments are in harmony with nature and sustainable development is observed, causes an increase in tourism revenues and expenditures per tourist, and a decrease in the seasonality effect.
Studies on the suitability of new destinations for golf tourism, the profile of golf tourists, and the marketing of golf tourism will contribute to the sustainable development of golf Turkey tourism.