The number of tourists visiting Turkey rose 31 percent in April to 2.29 million compared with the same month last year, according to the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

Germany provided the biggest source of growth, with Russia, the UK and France also fuelling numbers.

In the first four months of the year, tourist numbers rose 21 percent compared to the same period in 2010, to 5.96 million.

In 2010 as a whole, some 28.632 million tourists visited Turkey, up 5.7 percent from a year earlier.

Tourism is one of the country’s main industries and one of the strong drivers of its economic growth over the past decade.

(The incredible Mardan Palace in Antalya, Europe’s most expensive hotel)

The country’s tourism jewel Antalya is set to host the World Travel Awards 2011 Europe Ceremony. 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.

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.

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.

Istanbul’s current renaissance was reflected in it being chosen as the 2010 European Capital of Culture, and in the same year it was also voted “Europe’s Leading Destination” by the World Travel Awards.

Turkish Airlines has played a pivotal role in the city’s emergence as a business hub. This was reflected at the 2010 World Travel Awards when the national carrier was voted “Europe’s Leading Airline Business Class”, following a year in which it grew market share and continued to upgrade its fleet despite a backdrop of one of the harshest downturns in aviation history.

(Istanbul’s Maiden Tower)

Istanbul.Mobi for everything to do in the capital

As well as the many exquisite Ottoman mosques, the city is buzzing with happening restaurants, bars, galleries and clubs, and sense of energy and innovation not seen since the days of Süleyman the Magnificent.

For the lowdown on what’s hot, City.Mobi offers the best mobile guide to the capital. Istanbul.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up of city 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.

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.

Ottoman opulence

The capital’s most famous place to stay, Hôtel Les Ottomans, reflects the grandeur of the Ottomans whilst offering today’s luxury and comfort.

Occupying the Muhsinzade Mehmet Pasha Mansion, the hotel is located at the most magnificent section of the Bosphorus, and its lavish architecture and gardens are considered some of the finest examples of the Ottoman period. The hotel’s splendour was acknowledged at the 2010 World Travel Awards when it was voted “World’s Leading All Suite Hotel & Spa” and “Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel”.