Antalya’s Kemer district both increases diversity and extends the season in tourism with the many sports events it hosts.
ANTALYA (AA) – HATİCE ÖZDEMİR TOSUN – Kemer, the district of Antalya, which has hosted more than 14 million tourists since the beginning of the year, and where various sports branches such as cycling, motorcycles, hiking, diving and sailing can be easily done with its geographical location, has become a popular tourist destination in recent years with its sports tourism. He draws athletes from his side.
Kemer hosts 15 international organizations such as Sea To Sky in motorcycle, Run To Sky in running, Akra GranFondo and Tour of Antalya in cycling, Likya Cup in sailing, Bocce World Championship, Beycik Rock Climbing, Kemer Underwater Days, Aquamasters Swimming Race, Orienteering Festival. In the next week, it will host athletes and their relatives from 42 countries with the Sea To Sky Enduro Motorcycle Race, which is included in the Hard Enduro World Championship by the International Motorcycle Federation.
– Approximately 20 national and international organizations are held every year
Kemer District Governor Ahmet Solmaz stated to the AA correspondent that the sports competitions organized in the district further increased the recognition of the district abroad.
Pointing out that the Kemer region is very advantageous in terms of tourism, Solmaz said:
“The number of tourists coming to the district is increasing every year. Here we want to extend the season and increase diversity. Our most important argument in this regard is sports. Last year, we hosted approximately 20 national and international sports events. These continue to be held in our district every year. We are looking to increase the number next year. “As the races become more diverse and combine with the beauties of this region, we have become a destination where sports and tourism move together.”
Solmaz noted that they brought world-renowned athletes who are successful in different fields to the district with the races and showed that it is a region where they can also have a holiday.
Stating that sports play an important role in extending the tourism season in the district to 12 months, Solmaz said, “Our seasonal and natural conditions are very suitable. “We want to utilize these advantages in sustainable tourism.” he said.
– 20 percent of incoming guests turn to sports tourism
Kemer and Region Promotion Foundation (KETAV) President and tourism professional Volkan Yorulmaz stated that, as tourism professionals, they are doing important work on alternative tourism and that sports tourism has an important share in this.
Stating that they have been organizing world-renowned organizations in the district regularly for years, which are suitable for the geographical location of the region, Yorulmaz noted that they have started to reap the fruits of these efforts.
Stating that they both extended the season and increased foreign exchange income through sports, Yorulmaz said, “Sea, sand and sun are no longer enough in the world. It is necessary to feed this with side factors. Sports is one of them. Sports are now everywhere in our lives. It is as important as eating and drinking. It can also be combined with holidays. It would not be a lie to say that 20 percent of the incoming guests are for sports tourism.” he said.
Yorulmaz stated that the athletes who came for the races left satisfied and came back to the district with their family and friends for the holiday, and that they ensured continuity in tourism.
Kemer Enduro Motorcycle Club (KEMK) President and Sea to Sky Organizer Semih Özdemir said that 420 athletes from 42 countries, as well as their families, will come to the Sea To Sky Enduro Motorcycle Race to be held at the weekend, and that they will have a holiday in different hotels in Kemer.
Özdemir also stated that the athletes who come for the race are sponsored by important brands and said, “The athletes are world-renowned names, they come for the races, but they share countless posts on social media every day. “They are promoting us.” he said.
Sky To Sea Bicycle Race and Transtaurus Mountain Bike Race Organizer Ömer Nizam stated that guests can leave the hotel and walk in the mountains, or use bicycles and motorcycles on the route determined by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Stating that it is a great advantage for guests coming for sports organizations to benefit from the trio of sea, sand and sun, Nizam noted that the region should get a larger share from sports tourism.
