ISTANBUL - Abraaj Group, one of the leading investors in growth markets, bought a minority stake in one of Turkey's leading online travel agents, Biletal, the investor said on Thursday.

The online travel market in Turkey is predicted to grow more than 20 percent annually until 2026, which offers significant growth opportunities for Biletal, Selcuk Yorgancioglu, head of Turkey and Central Asia at the Abraaj Group, said in a written statement.

The investment was made through Abraaj's Anatolia Growth Capital Fund, which invests in high growth companies in the less developed regions of Turkey.

(Writing by Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Daren Butler) ((ali.kucukgocmen@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: Reuters Messaging: ali.kucukgocmen.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))