2015-May-03

Famously cantankerous Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek has come under fire for tweeting comments calling a US State Department official a "stupid blonde", accusing her of silence over the ongoing protests in Baltimore. The Mayor, who is quick to lash out at opponents on Twitter, and in some cases even opening lawsuits against them, has been accused of hypocrisy.

2015-April-30

The Turkish President visited Kuwait this week to discuss the relationship between Turkey and Kuwait and sign an agreement bolstering ties between the two countries. While in the Gulf nation, Erdogan spoke to potential investors and outlined the benefits of investing in Turkey, a country already popular with Kuwaiti tourists. Kuwaitis are increasingly buying property in Turkey, especially in Istanbul, and Erdogan mentioned the government initiatives that are making it easier for citizens of the Gulf nation to do so.

2015-April-29

Istanbul continues to shine in its position as Turkey’s prime property hotspot. Property prices rose by 20 percent over the same period last year, with real estate in prestigious and central Besiktas taking pole position and Saliyer close behind. Real estate in Istanbul’s cheapest neighbourhoods also rose in value. Antalya, on the Mediterranean coastline, was the second choice of buyers.

2015-April-28

Manxman Mark Cavendish is the current leader in this year’s Tour of Turkey cycling race – but the arduous course might shake up the order a little as cyclists head for the mountains. Cavendish, whose fall in last year’s Tour de France dashed his hopes for the world’s most famous cycling race, is on top form in Turkey. The event is being broadcast live, and is shaping up to be a thrilling race.

2015-April-22

With support from Turkey and the United States, and a potential new government for Northern Cyprus, this might just be the year the island reunifies. US Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed his support for talks this year, saying that a reunified Cyprus would be a huge boost for the region. Elections are currently being held in Northern Cyprus, and political commentators believe that a new moderate government will further help facilitate change by working closely with Greek Cypriots to find a mutual solution.

2015-April-16

Turkey's national airline has announced an increase of passengers for the first quarter of the year. Passenger numbers have risen by 6.5 percent over the same period in 2014. Turkish Airlines has also added a new route to San Francisco, as well as more daily flights to Budapest.

2015-April-14

News this week came out that celebrity Claire Sweeney is trying to sell her property in Turkey at half the price she paid for it eight years ago due to bad investment with what is commonly called the biggest scam in Turkey with Parador Properties. We take a look at why Claire and many others chose Parador and what exactly happened, and how that has changed the property market in Bodrum today. 

2015-April-13

An initiative to increase Belek’s golf share is focussing on French golfers. Belek, in Antalya, is the country’s premier golfing destination, with 14 world-class courses. A development agency is to bring French golf tourist agents to the region to sample Belek’s best golfing facilities, with an aim to divert French golfers from popular Tunisian and Moroccan courses. In other news, in May, Belek will host 126 female golfers as part of the Ladies European Tour, a prestigious tournament that will be a huge boost for Belek and the wider Antalya region.

2015-April-08

Antalya City will host 1300 G20 delegates in November as part of its G20 presidency, which was assumed in December. The summit will not only be a chance for Turkey to shine on the world’s stage, but will bring global attention to the country, in particular, the Antalya region. The G20 summit will aim to address issues such as global inequality, renewable energy costs and increasing prosperity and improving financial systems to guard against future financial storms.

2015-April-07

If walls could talk, the beautiful Palazzo Corpi, home to the US Embassy for a century, would certainly have a few stories to tell. The beautiful mansion was once a meeting place for the movers and shakers of the world - as well as spies. Now, the mansion is moving into its next incarnation: the Istanbul home of the luxury club Soho House. Millions of dollars have been spent on restoring and improving the mansion, which opens its doors to members and non members alike this month.

2015-April-07

The Turkish government has revealed a new package that will rejuvenate the economy by creating 120,000 jobs and encouraging investment. While the country has seen an average of 5 percent annual growth since the AKP party came to power in 2002, during the last two years the economy has slowed. Elections are also looming, and AKP hopes that the ambitious economic plan will win favour with voters in the lead up to June. President Erdogan’s party is determined that Turkey become one of the world’s top 10 economies within a decade, and this plan is one step toward that goal.

2015-March-26

Last week the Turkish minister for Labour and Social Security Faruk Celik made a rallying cry for influential G20 states to turn words into actions and make moves to eliminate global poverty. Turkey, who has G20 presidency, is urging the world to sit up and take notice as ever-widening gap between rich and poor turns critical. Turkey is well qualified to comment on the issue of leaving poverty behind - a World Bank report shows that poverty levels in Turkey have dropped dramatically, from 16 percent a decade ago to just five percent today.

2015-March-25

The Turkish housing market has been revived by domestic demand as falling interest rates allow first time buyers to gain a hold in the property market, boosting sales volume and bolstering the economy. Overall sales were up in February, with mortgage house sales increasing by more than 50 percent. Istanbul maintains its position at the top of the sales hierarchy, with 19 percent of sales completed there last month. This is due in no small part to increased investor attention, with buyers attracted to the low-cost, high yield residential complexes outside the city centre. 

2015-March-23

An updated Customs Agreement between Turkey and the EU is set to cement Turkey’s importance as a trading partner and solidify its role in a lucrative free trade agreement with the US. The Customs Agreement has been in place for almost 20 years, and has not kept pace with Turkey’s position as a trading partner and threatened its position in future trade deals. The updated agreement will not only open Turkey up to foreign markets, but is paving the way for future trading and energy deals with the EU.

2015-March-20

Technology is booming in Turkey, with overseas and domestic investment facilitating a rapid growth in software development and communications technology. Turkey’s youthful population is driving the demand for better, faster communication and transforming the way Turkish businesses work, with an emphasis on independent, mobile-connected working units. Spending in the technology sector is set to reach US$11.7 billion this year as the sector hits its stride.

2015-March-18

A gas pipeline connecting Azerbaijan's largest natural gas fields to Europe via Turkey is set to cement Turkey's status as the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East. The move will make Turkey the region's key energy distributor and ensure future access to lower-cost gas.  The pipeline will also allow Turkey to distance itself from Russia, who previously supplied the country with most of its gas supply.

2015-March-16

The hotel formerly known as the Golden Savoy will become Jumeirah Bodrum Palace Hotel - the second Jumeirah in Turkey after the Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah in Istanbul - a sure sign of the prestige that Bodrum is held in amongst those who appreciate all things luxury and a high quality of life with the finer things at your finger tips or even closer. 

2015-March-16

Forbes’ annual “rich list” was released a couple of weeks ago and an analysis by the magazine showed that Turkey’s wealthiest are investing in Turkish real estate, with 85 of the top 100 richest Turks holding significant stakes in property. Turkey’s economy has remained strong in the face of global turmoil, making it a natural choice for safe and profitable investment. We outline the top spots for investing in Turkish real estate, and what makes them stand out from the crowd.

2015-March-13

Turkish women are making headlines around the world with their social media-led campaigns urging for equality and an end to women-directed violence. Educational reforms have already begun to make changes in a country where illiteracy rates are five times higher for men than women, but the women who are now finding their voices are asking for change - and fast.

2015-March-10

Investment in Turkey remains high, with foreign interest focussing on pensions, mining, automotive, dairy and shopping centres. New laws introduced over the past two decades have ensured investing in Turkey has not only become easier, but that it’s now immensely profitable. Turkey is now among the top vehicle manufacturers in Europe, and only Russia has more shopping malls. The dairy industry is tipped to grow exponentially, as is the pension sector, after measures introduced in 2013 transformed the country’s pension schemes.

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