Turkish Open 2025: Positive Impact on Antalya Belek Region
The Turkish Open 2025 Golf Tournament continues to provide multifaceted positive impacts on Belek, one of Antalya’s key golf tourism centers. This prestigious tournament stands out for both its contribution to the local economy and its potential to increase the region’s international recognition, significantly boosting Belek’s golf tourism and overall tourism revenue.
Turkish Airlines Open Returns
The Turkish Airlines Open is back on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai schedule after a six-year hiatus. The tournament will be held from May 8-11 at @caryagolfclub in Antalya. Turkish Airlines first became the title sponsor of the event in 2013, and until 2019, the tournament hosted world-renowned professional golfers such as Tiger Woods, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Justin Rose, and Rory McIlroy in Antalya.
The sponsorship signing ceremony took place at Turkish Airlines’ General Management Building, with the attendance of Turkish Airlines General Manager Bilal Ekşi, Turkish Golf Federation Vice Chairman Nihat Özdemir, DP World Tour Tournament Partnerships Director Mark Casey, event organizer representative Kemal Taşkınlı, and other senior executives.
Economic Contributions
The Turkish Open 2025 offers substantial economic benefits to the region. Thousands of golf enthusiasts visiting Antalya during the tournament not only stay in hotels and dine in restaurants and cafes but also contribute to the local economy by shopping at malls and stores.
Major international events like the Turkish Open also help extend Antalya’s tourism season. Visitors arriving in May to watch and experience the tournament contribute to high hotel occupancy rates before the peak season, injecting vitality into the tourism sector.
Development of Golf Tourism and Belek’s Branding
Belek is recognized as one of the most important golf tourism centers in Europe and worldwide. Thanks to prestigious tournaments like the Turkish Open, Belek continues to attract greater attention from golf enthusiasts, further increasing interest in the region.
The participation of globally renowned golfers and widespread media coverage introduce Belek’s natural beauty and high-quality golf courses to the world. In the long run, this boosts Belek’s appeal as a preferred golf destination, leading to an increase in the annual number of tourists.
Benefits for Local Businesses and Residents
Spending by both domestic and international tourists attending the tournament is not limited to hotels. Restaurants, cafes, taxi and transfer companies, shopping malls, and tourism agencies in Antalya and Belek also benefit economically from this large-scale event.
Additionally, the tournament presents a significant opportunity for businesses offering golf-related services. Golf equipment stores, professional instructors providing golf lessons, and VIP services for high-profile guests attending the event experience increased demand thanks to the tournament.
International Promotion and Media Coverage
The Turkish Open is followed by hundreds of media representatives and broadcast live on television channels, providing an invaluable opportunity to promote the region on a global scale.
Emphasizing the importance of the tournament, Turkish Airlines General Manager Bilal Ekşi stated: “At Turkish Airlines, we see our mission as going far beyond passenger transportation. With the goal of bringing people and cultures together, we take another step in supporting sports and athletes through the Turkish Airlines Open. We hope this tournament will be beneficial for the sport of golf, our brand, and our country.”
Turkish Golf Federation Vice Chairman Nihat Özdemir added, “With the Turkish Airlines Open in May, one of the biggest professional golf tours in Europe is returning to our country. We would like to extend our gratitude to Turkish Airlines, the title sponsor of the tournament, for their invaluable contribution.”
DP World Tour Tournament Partnerships Director Mark Casey expressed his excitement by stating, “We are delighted that Turkish Airlines is the title sponsor of the Turkish Airlines Open, which returns to the Race to Dubai this season. We look forward to returning to Antalya, the heart of golf, and working with Turkish Airlines, the Turkish Golf Federation, and all tournament partners to create an unforgettable week.”
Conclusion
More than just a major economic opportunity for Belek and Antalya, the Turkish Open 2025 is a critical event shaping the future of the region’s golf tourism. From boosting the local economy to increasing tourism revenue and strengthening Belek’s global reputation as a golf destination, maintaining such high-profile events should remain a key part of Antalya’s long-term tourism strategy.
