As one of the top ten holiday destinations it attracted almost 24 million visitors last year, a figure that is predicted to go up not least because the Turkish government it investing in attracting more tourists and investors. Cheap travel and improved fuel times are also increasing demand.
'Buying property in Turkey is the ideal way to add Euro-Asian diversity to your property portfolio whilst still enjoying the many benefits of an emerging market,' said investment expert Remco Krijnen. 'Overseas investment is being actively encouraged and this means that western-style mortgages are more readily available than is some other emerging markets,' he added.
Among those attracted to invest in property in the country are those wishing to retire to a place with a pleasant climate and low cost of living. Turkey is regarded as an alternative to Spain and France.
John Howell, a partner at UK based International Law Partnership, described Turkey as a 'beautiful and interesting' country that can be easily reached. As a result, it has become a hotspot of activity for foreign property buyers in Britain, including those who want a holiday home for personal use and people who are buying for investment purposes.
'It is popular with older people who want to live abroad full-time. You can live very well in Turkey on your state retirement pension, which many people find difficult in the UK,' he added.
When it comes to getting a good rental return, research shows that Turkey attracts holidaymakers all year round and not just from the obvious places. In January and February of this year Turkey attracted over 280,000 people from Eastern Europe. It is also very popular with Germans who were the largest group of foreign tourists to visit Turkey in 2007.
The Turkish government is aiming to increase the number of tourists from 23 million to 50 million in the next 15 years.