After two years of restrictions due to the global pandemic, it was inevitable demand for sunshine holidays would surge in 2022 once people were allowed to move more freely once again.

Hotels and holiday homes in Antalya in particular are set for a prosperous year – tourism on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast is booming. So what are the key factors influencing the resurgence in the region’s economy?

Pent-up demand after COVID-19

As we started to put the global pandemic behind us, many people were determined to make the most of their renewed freedom – and heading to their favourite place to enjoy some was top of the wish-list.

Antalya was already established as the second most popular destination in Turkey, and holidaymakers are returning in their droves. While there may be fewer guests from the Black Sea region in 2022, tourists from Europe and the Middle East are making up the numbers; a staggering 2.5 million arrived in the first five months of the year – a 200% increase on 2020 and 2021.

Performance of the lira

High inflation is testing for local people, but for visitors who live on the euro, in sterling or in US dollars, it’s a different story. If a meal and drinks for two at a high-end restaurant cost 200 Turkish lira in 2014, at the time that worked out at around £57. Today, while the same meal might cost a thousand lira, the current exchange rate makes that just over £48.

So if Antalya is better value for money than it was eight years ago – how can anyone resist?

The airport

Although it only opened in 1998, Antalya International Airport has quickly become a major tourism hub, now offering direct flights to more than 50 destinations around the globe.

It has three terminals – two international and one domestic – and, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, annual passenger numbers were close to 19 million – a 78% increase over two decades.

Many of the arrivals are tourists, heading for Antalya’s luxury hotels and exclusive holiday villas, not to mention the golden beaches and other delights of resorts such as Kalkan, Kaş and Alanya. It’s a short hop to the city’s own gems; Lara Beach, dubbed the Las Vegas of Turkey’s Turquoise Coast, is just a half-hour drive away.

The climate

Most people booking a Mediterranean holiday don’t tend to factor rain into the equations. Between June and September, Antalya can pretty much guarantee wall-to-wall-sunshine, with average temperatures around 30°C.

It’s even hotter in July and August. Cooling sea breezes make it more bearable, while resorts further into the mountains also benefit from slightly cooler temperatures. The forests offer shade and greenery, breaking up the rocky slopes of the Taurus Mountains which tower over the suburbs to the west and north east.

However, regardless of which fabulous holiday resort in Antalya you choose, it’s reassuring to know your plans are unlikely to be spoiled by bad weather.

The choice of accommodation

Although it’s now a bustling city with modern shopping malls and retail parks, Antalya also retains its Ottoman character, particularly in the old town around Kaleiçi.

Here, visitors can enjoy a more authentic Turkish experience, from the hotels, guesthouses and self-catering holiday homes to the trinket shops, cafés, lokantas and coffee shops. Those who prefer five-star indulgence might head for Lara Beach or Konyaaltı, where you’ll find modern, all-inclusive concept hotels, exclusive villas and luxury apartments.

So much to do

It’s impossible to be bored in Antalya, even if you’re a regular visitor. Water sports, day-long and sunset boat trips, overnight blue-water cruises and scuba diving excursions are all available, along with jeep safaris, white-water rafting, mountain biking and walking trails, and tandem paragliding.

There are historic ruins to explore and the city itself has more than enough shopping malls and leisure venues to satisfy even the most ardent shopaholic, with high-end brands nestling alongside familiar chain stores.

Golfing enthusiasts will want to head for the championship-standard greens in Belek, while Antalya has so many places within reach for a wonderful day trip – Kaş, Kalkan and Kemer, to name just three.

Great value property

It’s unsurprising that many visitors think about investing in real estate. What could be better than your own little piece of paradise – an opulent sea view villa in Kalkan or a modern city apartment on Lara Beach?

While property prices have risen in recent months, asking prices in Turkey will still come as a pleasant surprise – especially when you factor in the currency exchange rates. A beachside home with a private pool and gardens will naturally come at a premium, but there are many affordable holiday homes in Antalya to be snapped up by savvy buyers.

How can we help?

If you’re considering buying a holiday property in Antalya, we can help. Take a look at our extensive portfolio and get in touch when you’re ready – we’re here to walk you the whole process.

You can also find more detailed information about the Antalya region in our earlier blogs and our area guides on this website.