by Burak Akinci
ANTALYA, Türkiye, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- On a mild winter morning along Türkiye's Mediterranean coast, the sound of waves mingles with the thud of footballs striking freshly cut grass.
Under a blue sky, players in neon training bibs sprint through drills as coaches call out instructions in German, Russian and Turkish.
In Antalya, Türkiye's top tourism hub, winter is no off-season.
While parts of northern Europe contend with frozen pitches and snow-covered stadiums, this southern Turkish province hums with activity. Hotel complexes that host sun-seeking tourists in summer now accommodate football squads escaping the cold for mid-season preparation.
More than 1,500 teams from different countries and regions have held winter training camps in Antalya this season, according to figures shared with Anadolu Agency by Nida Kiraz, head of the Sports Tourism Association of Türkiye (STB).
"Winter is when football tourism reaches its peak here," Kiraz said, describing the period as the sector's "high season." He noted that longer mid-season breaks in some leagues have given clubs more flexibility to plan extended camps, helping drive demand and this year's activity was higher than previous winters.
Kiraz highlighted the return of German teams as a positive sign. "In recent years, we could not get reservations from Germany, but this year teams came. We are having a good season," he said, adding that Germany's presence strengthens Antalya's international sports tourism image.
The formula behind the city's appeal is straightforward: mild winter temperatures, convenient air connections and purpose-built infrastructure.
Within a short drive from the airport, five-star resorts offer professional-grade pitches, fitness centers, meeting halls and recovery facilities, allowing teams to train, analyze and rest without leaving the premises.
Recep Samil Yasacan, a veteran tourism professional based in Antalya, who is also a member of the STB and its former head, said sports tourism has become a strategic pillar of the local economy.
"Antalya used to be associated mainly with summer holidays," Yasacan told Xinhua. "Now winter sports camps for football and other branches like cycling keep hotels active during months that were once considered low season. This ensures more stable employment and better use of infrastructure," he pointed out.
According to Yasacan, teams typically arrive with sizable delegations, including coaching staff, medical teams and support personnel.
"A single club can occupy dozens of rooms for one or two weeks," he said. "When more than a thousand teams come over the winter, the cumulative contribution is considerable," he noted.
Murat Toktas, another tourism insider, said reliability is central to Antalya's success. "Clubs want predictability, they need good pitches, consistent weather and smooth logistics. In Antalya, everything is concentrated in one region. You land, settle in and focus entirely on football," he told Xinhua.
Kiraz confirmed that efforts are underway to develop a tournament model that could draw leading European clubs, including sides from Germany's Bundesliga. He said coordinated action among public authorities, private operators and civil society groups would be key.
The rise of winter football camps also reflects a broader momentum in Türkiye's tourism sector. Official figures released recently showed the country generated a record 65.2 billion U.S. dollars in tourism revenue in 2025 while welcoming nearly 64 million visitors, marking its strongest performance to date.
Industry representatives say sports tourism is playing a growing role in extending activity beyond the traditional summer peak and diversify a crucial sector for the economy.
"In Antalya, even in the heart of winter, the season never truly stops," Yasacan added. ■
