Turkey Focuses on Infrastructure and Promotion to Increase Global Share in Sports Tourism

Strategic Growth and Year-Round Tourism Turkey is positioning sports tourism as a strategic growth area to increase its global market share.
Investments in facilities for football, golf, athletics, and winter sports are key elements supporting the country's international competitiveness.
Sports organizations play a critical role in the strategy to extend tourism activities across all 12 months of the year.
Global Share and Infrastructure Investments While sports tourism accounts for approximately 10% of global tourism activity, this rate currently stands at around 0.9% in Turkey.
Nida Kiraz, President of the Sports Tourism Association, emphasized the importance of making infrastructure investments by public institutions sustainable to serve the sports tourism sector.
It was noted that sports facilities should be utilized not only for competitions but also as promotional tools.
Increasing the efficiency of existing facilities and providing services at international standards are seen as essential requirements for increasing the share of the global market.
Regional Potential and Promotional Power In addition to the advantages offered by Antalya's climate and facility capacity, the aim is to promote high-altitude centers in Erzurum, Olympic facilities in Samsun, and the velodrome in Konya to the world.
Kiraz stated that international organizations turn Turkey into a global showcase, attracting a different audience than traditional holiday tourism.
Kiraz added that athletes become voluntary tourism ambassadors, noting that events like the World Archery Championship held in Belek create a multiplier effect for Turkey's promotion.
Such organizations reinforce Turkey's image not just as a sun-and-sea destination, but as a professional sports destination.