Abu Dhabi-based Cristal Hospitality is planning to capitalise on the explosive growth of Turkey’s accommodation sector with eight new hotels proposed within three years, encompassing all four brands.

Additionally, the hotel group has signed a new joint venture with a Turkish partner to setup its Cristal Turkey office to facilitate development.

“With the backing of a prominent local partner, we can think this is a realistic ambition given the bullish growth the hospitality sector in Turkey is currently experiencing,” Peter Blackburn, president and CEO of Cristal Hospitality, said.

With more than 40 million leisure and business tourists in 2014, Turkey is rated as the sixth most visited country worldwide and the government aims to grow this by 50 per cent as the country develops in areas including medical, cultural, sports and wellness tourism, as well as its traditional city break and beach sectors.

“Istanbul itself boasts more than 800 properties with nearly 5,000 rooms under development, but as well as looking at this city, we will be seeking opportunities in secondary destinations plus the mid-market sector which is under-served by international brands,” said Blackburn.

The projected opening of the Istanbul New Airport in 2017 will give Turkey a gateway that will be the largest airport in Europe with a potential capacity of 150 million passengers a year, adding to the attraction of the country as a destination, he added.

“In addition to unlimited tourist attractions, Turkey is developing as a financial and manufacturing centre, with projects such as the Istanbul International Finance Centre set to attract more commercial ventures into the city – all of which will spur the need for additional accommodation options both in Istanbul and throughout the country,” Blackburn said. – TradeArabia News Service