Turkey's popularity as a holiday destination has been highlighted by an international airline.

British Midland Airways (bmi) said that it was facing more competition in this country than in any other location it serviced.

Gail Holden, commercial development manager at bmi, was quoted by the Turkish Daily News as saying that the company had to be "at the top of our game".

She commented: "Already a lot of companies operate to and from Turkey in comparison to many other destinations of bmi."

Ms Holden added that the level of the competition was the biggest challenge it was currently facing.

This suggests that interest in travelling to Turkey is at a high point, resulting in airlines competing to secure a growing and highly lucrative market.

The UN World Tourism Organisation recently found that the number of holidaymakers choosing to visit the country rose by 18 per cent last year, which should further increase the value of property in Turkey.