Türkiye Set To Expand Its Sports Tourism Sector Beyond Football: Everything You Need To Know

Antalya and Erzurum are set to welcome a growing wave of travellers who want more than a beach or city break from their time in Türkiye, as the country moves decisively to turn sports into a year-round tourism engine. Visitors who once came mainly for summer sun or city sightseeing are now being courted with promises of world-class cycling routes, snow-sure ski slopes and pristine golf courses that keep resorts buzzing even in the depths of winter.

Türkiye is rolling out a broad strategy to diversify sports tourism beyond football, with plans covering 12 disciplines from cycling and golf to winter sports and emerging activities such as padel. Officials and industry leaders see this as a way to tap into a global sector that already represents around 10 percent of all tourism activity worldwide, compared with just 1.5 percent of Türkiye’s current tourism mix.

A national plan to grow a year‑round sports hub

The Turkish Sports Tourism Association has outlined an ambitious roadmap to showcase facilities across the country and attract more international athletes, teams and amateur enthusiasts. Its president, Nida Kiraz, has indicated that collaboration between the government and private sector will be essential if Türkiye is to claim a larger share of global sports tourism.​

Authorities are positioning sports as a pillar of sustainable tourism, alongside the country’s established strengths in culture, city breaks and coastal holidays. With Istanbul and Antalya already among the world’s most visited cities, extending stays and spreading visitor numbers into shoulder and winter seasons is seen as a natural next step.

​Antalya: cycling, golf and Europe’s biggest sports tourism fair

Antalya, long known as a Mediterranean favourite for beach holidays and all‑inclusive resorts, is now being recast as a base for active travellers and professional training camps. The city will host what is billed as Europe’s largest sports tourism fair from 31 May to 3 June, bringing leading sports companies, tour operators and destination managers together on the Turquoise Coast.

Cycling sits at the centre of this new identity, with Antalya emerging as a key destination as the sport’s popularity surges globally. In 2026, the region will stage three major events, the Tour of Antalya, a Gran Fondo and the Padelia event, which are expected to draw both elite riders and amateurs looking to combine racing with a holiday in the sun. Golf is also thriving, with courses in and around Antalya reported to be fully booked, turning what used to be quiet winter months into a lucrative season for hotels, caddies and local businesses.​

Winter sports: Uludağ, Erciyes and Erzurum’s Palandöken

On the winter side, Türkiye is promoting its mountain regions as an alternative to more crowded European ski hubs, highlighting both value and variety. Uludağ, near Bursa and within easy reach of Istanbul, is described as the country’s oldest and most popular ski resort, with snow typically covering the mountain from December to May and a modern cable car linking visitors to its hotels and pistes.

Further inland, Mount Erciyes in Central Anatolia offers dramatic volcanic scenery, long runs and reliable snow for skiing and snowboarding, appealing to travellers who want to combine a city stay with days on the slopes. In Erzurum, Palandöken Mountain has become one of Türkiye’s leading winter sports centres, with a ski season that can stretch to six months, night skiing, steep trails and powder conditions that have already convinced international organisers to bring major events to the region. These high-altitude resorts are being bundled into winter holiday packages that encourage visitors to stay longer, mixing skiing with local culture and cuisine.

Keeping hotels open and communities working through winter

Industry representatives have underlined how sports tourism is changing the rhythm of the tourism year in destinations like Antalya and Erzurum. Months once considered the dead season from December to February are now seeing rising numbers of athletes, amateur sports groups and active travellers, filling hotel rooms that previously sat empty and supporting jobs in hospitality, transport and guiding.

Sports tourism is being described as a crucial tool for maintaining employment continuity, allowing hotels to keep staff on year-round rather than relying on short, intense seasonal contracts. Local communities in mountain towns and coastal resorts alike benefit when restaurants, rental shops and small businesses can plan for steady winter trade instead of abrupt closures.

A richer, more active way to experience Türkiye

For travellers, Türkiye’s push into sports tourism promises a more layered and personal experience of the country, whether that means pedalling along the coast near Antalya, carving fresh tracks on the slopes of Uludağ or soaking up Erzurum’s high‑altitude air after a day on Palandöken. Visitors who might once have flown in for a few days on the beach or a quick city break are increasingly being invited to stay longer, train harder and explore deeper, discovering local traditions and warm hospitality along the way.

Türkiye aims to create new tourist facilities through its investments in various sports venues which include velodromes and Olympic complexes together with ski resorts and golf courses. The aspiration is for visitors to leave with more than just photographs because they will bring back experiences of shared transportation with others and their time spent descending snowy slopes together with newly developed friendships which began during their post-game dining experiences. The tourism industry believes that using sports as a core element of travel in Antalya and Erzurum and Uludağ and Erciyes will create a sustainable visitor economy which benefits both tourists and local residents.

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Passengers Left in Fear After SunExpress 737-800 Experiences Gear Collapse in Antalya : Find it out Now

SunExpress Boeing 737-800 suffered a landing-gear collapse while taxiing at Antalya Airport, just before departure for a domestic service to Gaziantep. The aircraft, flight XQ7646, experienced a technical issue with its left-hand main gear strut, leading to a sudden and unexpected disruption for passengers.

According to SunExpress, the 737-800 was preparing to depart when the landing gear malfunctioned. The aircraft was carrying 175 passengers and six crew members at the time of the incident. The flight, which was to transport travelers from Antalya to Gaziantep, was immediately halted, and passengers were disembarked without incident. There were no reports of injuries, and the situation was handled swiftly, with a replacement aircraft brought in to carry out the service.

The sunny Mediterranean city of Antalya, a popular tourist destination, experienced a temporary disruption as this incident unfolded at the international airport. While Antalya remains a key gateway for both international tourists and domestic travelers, such delays, though rare, do highlight the need for travelers to remain flexible when flying to or from major hubs like Antalya Airport.

Quick Response and Passenger Safety

Following the collapse, SunExpress, a joint-venture carrier between Turkish Airlines and the Lufthansa Group, acted quickly to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers. The affected 737-800 aircraft (tail number TC-SOB) was safely grounded, and all passengers were disembarked and taken to a safe area while the technical inspection was carried out.

The airline confirmed that the malfunction involved the left-hand main gear, though the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation. SunExpress reassured the public by stating that passenger and crew safety is always their top priority. In light of this incident, the carrier immediately recruited a different aircraft to operate the Antalya-Gaziantep flight. While delays did occur, the quick response minimized the inconvenience for travelers.

Antalya: A Key Hub for Turkey’s Tourism

Antalya remains one of Turkey’s most significant tourism hubs, attracting millions of visitors annually. Known for its stunning beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture, Antalya serves as a gateway to the Turkish Riviera. The city’s Antalya Airport is a bustling international transit point, connecting tourists to some of the country’s most beautiful and sought-after destinations.

In addition to Gaziantep, which is renowned for its rich culinary traditions and historical sites, Antalya is connected to multiple cities both domestically and internationally. The airport serves as a major stop for tourists heading to the stunning Cappadocia region, the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and the beautiful coastal town of Fethiye. With its growing significance in the global tourism market, any incident like the one involving SunExpress can temporarily cause disruptions but typically does not deter travelers from visiting this picturesque region.

What Caused the Incident?

As of now, the cause of the landing gear collapse remains under investigation. SunExpress confirmed that the aircraft, which was approximately 10 years old, had arrived from Diyarbakir earlier that day and was undergoing a regular taxi process at Antalya when the malfunction occurred. The 737-800 had been delivered to the carrier in 2016, and according to the airline’s statement, the aircraft had no prior reported issues.

Incidents such as this one, though rare, highlight the importance of regular maintenance checks and safety protocols, ensuring that any potential issues are identified and addressed before they affect passengers. The airline has promised a full technical inspection and is working to determine the precise cause of the collapse.

The Role of SunExpress in Turkey’s Tourism Market

SunExpress, founded as a joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, plays a crucial role in connecting travelers to Turkey and the wider European region. The airline primarily focuses on leisure travel and operates a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, including the 737-800 involved in this incident.

As Turkey’s tourism industry continues to grow, SunExpress remains an essential part of the transportation infrastructure, offering flights to destinations throughout the country, including Gaziantep, a city known for its gastronomy, ancient history, and vibrant cultural scene. The airline’s quick response to this situation, along with its commitment to passenger safety, ensures that it will continue to serve as a reliable option for those looking to explore Turkey’s diverse offerings.

What Travelers Can Expect Moving Forward

Though the recent incident temporarily disrupted flight XQ7646 to Gaziantep, travelers should rest assured that Antalya Airport remains one of the most reliable and efficient airports in the country. As the investigation into the landing-gear collapse continues, SunExpress has taken appropriate measures to prevent further incidents.

For those planning travel to or from Antalya, Gaziantep, or other Turkish destinations, it is recommended to keep in mind potential delays, especially during peak travel times. In the case of any disruption, travelers should monitor flight updates and communicate directly with their airline for the latest information.

SunExpress’ commitment to passenger safety and swift action during this incident exemplifies the airline’s reliability, even in unexpected situations. While delays are never ideal, they are often handled efficiently to ensure minimal disruption to travelers’ plans.

In Conclusion: Navigating Delays and Travel Disruptions

The SunExpress 737-800 landing gear collapse at Antalya Airport serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of air travel. For those traveling to or from Turkey, Antalya, or Gaziantep, staying informed about flight statuses and understanding the steps taken by airlines like SunExpress can help ensure a smoother travel experience. Despite the temporary setback, the tourism industry in Turkey continues to thrive, with Antalya serving as a central hub for tourism and leisure travelers from around the world.

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