Players from a European football club are seen participating in training on May 6, 2026 in Antalya, a holiday resort city along Türkiye's Mediterranean coastline. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye is seeking to diversify its sports tourism sector beyond football by promoting cycling, golf and other disciplines.
Officials and industry representatives say the strategy is aimed at positioning the country as a year-round sports hub while helping offset potential revenue fluctuations in its vital tourism sector.
For years, Türkiye has been a preferred destination for football teams seeking warm-weather training camps, particularly in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya.
Authorities and private sector organizations are now working to broaden that appeal by promoting a wider range of sports, from cycling and archery to winter disciplines.
Officials see sports tourism as an important way to diversify revenue in a sector long dominated by seasonal beach tourism.
"Antalya is considered a hub where tourism is concentrated. However, the sun, sea and sand concept covers only about six months of the year," said Nida Kiraz, head of the Antalya-based Sports Tourism Association.
"Creating sustainable employment sources means diversifying the tourism sector," he added.
Sports events held during the winter months help keep hotels open and tourism staff employed at a time when visitor numbers traditionally decline.
Antalya already hosts several international sporting events each year and is preparing to welcome new competitions that could further raise its profile in sports tourism.
"Antalya hosts four major organizations annually," Kiraz said, adding that the World Archery Championship will take place in the city in June with participants from nearly 140 countries and regions.
In addition, Europe's largest sports tourism fair is scheduled to be held in Antalya later this month, attracting global sports companies and industry professionals.
"We expect very strong participation. Interest in Türkiye is very encouraging. By bringing companies from around the world here, we aim to lay the foundations for business bridges with Türkiye," Kiraz said.
Authorities are also highlighting sports infrastructure across the country.
Winter sports facilities in eastern cities such as Erzurum have attracted athletes seeking high-altitude training and snow-based competitions, while cycling routes along the Mediterranean coast have increasingly drawn international teams during the off-season.
Tourism experts say geopolitical developments may further reshape travel flows in ways that could benefit Türkiye.
Ankara-based tourism professional Kaan Sahinalp said international sports federations often prioritize safety and stability when selecting event locations.
"In periods of regional uncertainty, destinations that offer security, strong infrastructure and easy international access tend to stand out," Kaan Sahinalp, who is the Türkiye representative of German travel firm TUI, told Xinhua.
"Türkiye already has extensive tourism capacity and experience in hosting international sporting events, which gives it a competitive advantage," he emphasized.
Sahinalp said expanding sports tourism could also help stabilize revenue in a sector by spreading visitor arrivals more evenly across the year and reducing vulnerability to seasonal fluctuations.
For Kiraz, Türkiye's sports tourism sector is likely to continue expanding in the coming years as new opportunities, such as the return of the Formula 1 World Championship to Istanbul in 2027, create fresh momentum.
By hosting training camps, tournaments and industry events throughout the year, Türkiye hopes to attract athletes, fans and sports companies while strengthening the resilience of its tourism industry.
"We believe next year will bring even stronger demand for Türkiye. Sports tourism here is growing by about 7 to 8 percent annually," Kiraz added. ■
An aerial drone photo taken on May 6, 2026 shows a tourist playing golf in Antalya, a holiday resort city along Türkiye's Mediterranean coastline. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Archers are seen practicing on May 6, 2026 in Antalya, a holiday resort city along Türkiye's Mediterranean coastline. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
An aerial drone photo taken on May 6, 2026 shows the state-of-the-art football training grounds in Antalya, a holiday resort city along Türkiye's Mediterranean coastline. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
