Turkey is one of the tourism success stories of the millennium. In the first four months of this year alone, tourist numbers rose 21 percent from the comparable period of 2010. Fuelling the growth is the country’s tourism jewel of Antalya, and its incredible beaches, hotels, history and climate.

The region is also forging a reputation as a hub for meetings, with its congress centre able to accommodate more than 50,000 delegates. The latest high-power event to be hosted in Antalya is the 2014 ICCA Congress, with the announcement made at IMEX-Frankfurt in 26th of May 2011.

The announcement follows news that Antalya is to host the World Travel Awards 2011 Europe Ceremony for the second in succession. On 2 September, Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa will step up to host the prestigious event, dubbed by the media as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry”. The luxury resort is located next to the beautiful beach of Iskele Mevkii.

(Europe’s travel elite celebrate top honours at the World Travel Awards 2010 Europe Ceremony - the “Oscars of the travel industry” will be returning again this September)

The event follows the success of last year’s World Travel Awards, which was hosted at the nearby Rixos Premium Belek.

The industry’s top brass – including CEOs and directors of leading travel companies, government ministers and tourist board chiefs – all gathered to battle it out at the most important evening of the year in European travel and tourism.

(Rixos Premium Belek - host of World Travel Awards 2010 Europe Ceremony)

It proved a great year for Turkish travel and tourism companies. Turkish Airlines picked up the award for “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class” following 12 months in which it posted record profits, grew market share and continued its global expansion.

Two of Turkey’s brightest hospitality stars, both in Antalya, picked up top awards – Mardan Palace won “Europe’s Leading Luxury Hotel” and Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa collected “Europe’s Leading Luxury Resort”.

(The incredible Mardan Palace, Europe’s most exclusive resort)

For an exclusive glimpse inside Mardan Palace, Europe’s most expensive hotel, costing $1.65 billion to create, visit virtual-mardanpalace.com).

And there was even more good news for the Turkey, which also walked away with “Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Hotel” for Rixos Sungate, “Europe’s Leading Tourist Board” for the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office and “Europe’s Leading Destination” for Istanbul.

Istanbul – Europe’s coolest city break

Istanbul is rapidly forging a reputation as one of the world’s great city break destinations, as well as a high-profile international congresses and events destination.

(Istanbul sunset)

International leisure tourism arrivals continue to show steady year-on-year growth as growing number of travellers discover the joys of a city that oozes centuries old appeal as a meeting place of continents and cultures.

Antalya.City.Mobi for everything to do in Turkey’s tourism jewel

For the lowdown on what’s hot, City.Mobi offers the best mobile guide to this incredible region. Antalya.City.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up of travel guides, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

The guide offers click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers. Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

(Antalya - Turkey’s most beautiful city)

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport. City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.