Antalya History
Most of the Antalya s income comes from tourism, trade and agriculture. But in recent years industrial activities has started to rise. Apart from this, mining and livestock became source of income in Antalya even though those are less popular income than the others. Antalya province was a small trade center until 1970s but after the 1980 s tourism development, it suddenly become one of the few cities in the world with 5 star hotels and millions of tourists. At first, German tourists flocked to the region. Alanya center was the most favourite town of German tourists which is 140 kilometers away from Antalya, about 2 hours by car.
One of the most popular tourist region is Side connected to Manavgat which hosts one in forth of tourists in Antalya. As it is in Alanya region, there are many hotels next to the sea shore in Alanya district. Thousands of tourists from Europe spend their holidays in Side. Recently, with the increase in Turkish tourism, thousands of domestic markets namely Turkish guests visit Side to spend their holidays especially in July and August. Side is approximately 1 hour by road and 70 kilometers away from Antalya airport.
Belek, a town close to the centre, known as Antalya s golf hotels fruently mentioned all over the world with its organized golf tournamments. İn Belek hotels, there are many large golf courses as well as football, basketball and voleyball fields. Dozens of sports clubs and camps are in Belek during winter and summer. Belek, which is 35 kilometers away from the Antalya airport can be reached in a very short time like 30 minuted by car.
Lara and Kundu, Antalya s closest regions to the center also offers holiday opportunities to hundreds of tourists along the coastline. The hotels around Lara and Kundu are open in winter and welcomes many torists from all over the world. İt is unlikely to find any places in Lara and Kundu especially in the months of July and August and it attracts many thourists from Russia and Arabia who like old hotels.
Kemer is a charming town established in the region that we also know as “the nature, clean air, forests and taurus skirts” of Antalya. Kemer s luxury hotels which are the pearl of Mediterrian, have become the center of interest for Russian tourists. Especially in summer, if you go down to the streets of Kemer, you probably think you are in the city of Russia. Kemer is 60 kilometers away from Antalya airport and an hour away by car and many tourists admire its magnificient beauty.