The expansion of low-cost airline routes into Turkey has made the country an increasingly popular holiday choice, it has emerged.

According to property experts BuyAssociation, Turkey has often been seen as a bridge between the Middle East and Europe, attracting British travellers looking for an exotic trip away.

"Brits have been going on holiday to Turkey for probably 35 or 40 years, so there's quite a long history there of visiting and the cultures mixing," remarked the website's overseas property editor, Paul Collins.

"When low-cost airlines opened up they looked at the shorter distances first, and it's only now that they're starting to spread to Turkey as a viable destination for low cost flights," he added.

According to the Turkish Embassy, 19 million tourists visited Turkey in 2006, with 25 million predicted to travel there this year.

BMED is one airline which began operating flights from London Heathrow to Ankara's Esenboga airport in 2006, while British Airways launched three weekly routes from London Gatwick to Izmir in the same year.

As easyJet also runs a daily service between London Luton and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport, adventurous holiday fans could be spoilt for choice if they fancy a slice of Turkish delight.

Source: HolidayHypermarket.co.uk