Bodrum raises its celebrity appeal and spearheads a resurgence in Turkey’s tourism

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Confidence in Bodrum as Turkey’s leading tourist resort has been boosted this summer by the opening of a landmark hotel by Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman combined with the launch of multiple new flights there by a leading British travel firm, said Turkey property specialist Spot Blue International Property in May.

In the same week that international film stars and celebrities gathered in the French Riviera for the famous Cannes Film Festival, on 14th May Nicole Kidman visited Bodrum, dubbed the ‘Saint-Tropez of Turkey’, to open the first of an iconic chain of hotels by Paramount Hotels & Resorts, aptly called The Bodrum. Oscar-winning Kidman became the new face of Turkish tourism in March this year, as part of a campaign to drive foreign tourism to the country which also saw film legend Morgan Freeman named the face of Turkish Airlines.

Occupying a stunning beachfront location 10 kilometres from the centre of Bodrum town, facilities and style at The Bodrum reflect the legendary Hollywood heritage of the Paramount brand. Other prestigious destinations where Paramount plans to open hotels or serviced residences include Los Angeles, Dubai, Doha and Riyadh.

“Paramount’s hotel comes soon after the announcement that a Banyan Tree resort is coming to Bodrum,” said Julian Walker, director at Spot Blue International Property. “That such heavyweight brands are choosing the resort and the peninsula just confirms Bodrum’s status as a world-class tourist destination with jet-set appeal. After a difficult year for tourism in Turkey, this type of endorsement should reassure visitors and property-buyers that Turkish resorts have a great future.”

In a further nod to Bodrum’s popularity, UK airline and travel operator Jet2 has launched new Summer 2018 flights to Bodrum Airport from Glasgow, Stansted and Newcastle. Jet2 is predicting an uplift in demand across all of Turkey in 2018 and has announced plans for a 60 per cent capacity increase, representing over 140,000 additional seats, for next summer. Other new routes or additions to existing routes will operate between Antalya in the south of Turkey and Glasgow, Birmingham and Belfast.

Added Mr Walker at Spot Blue International Property: “Jet2 isn’t the only travel firm that is seeing or anticipating a turn-around in Turkey’s tourism market. Just this month, Thomas Cook revealed this year it has seen a recovery in holiday bookings for Turkey compared to last year and they will be shifting capacity there according to demand.”

Spot Blue International Property has a selection of property for sale in the Bodrum area, ranging from apartments from circa €50,000 in the Iasos area to luxury villas in the chic marina resort of Yalikavak on the Bodrum peninsula for €2,850,000. Also popular is the resort of Gündoğan, where Spot Blue International Property is selling this newly built luxury, five-bedroom, five-bathroom villa with panoramic views of Gündoğan Bay.

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