Tag Archives: Turkey

‘India continues to remain key source market for Turkey’s Ciragan Palace’

During his recent visit during the multi-city Kempinski Hotels roadshow in umbai and New Delhi, seasoned hospitality professional Ralph Radtke, GM & Regional VP, Ciragan Palace, Kempinski Hotels spoke about the potential of Indian market, and hosting the first ever Indian wedding in Turkey 12 years ago.

Talking to TravelBiz Monitor, Radtke said, “Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, located right on the Bosphorous, has been to many Indian weddings in the past decade. More than 12 years ago, I hosted the first Indian wedding to Turkey, and since then I visit India twice a year to promote destination weddings. We witness 15% weddings coming to Turkey from India every year. Besides Indians, Pakistanis and Iranians living outside their nation are big markets for us. India continues to remain a key source market for us.”

The Ciragan Palace is home to 317 rooms and suites, and is known for its historical past. The property has hosted Indian weddings with over 1,000 pax. The average length of stay for Indian wedding guests of three days, Radtke said. “We are participating in wedding shows and will be hosting FAM trips for agents and social media influencers in partnership with Turkish Airlines. This is an important part of our strategy.”

43 diving spots identified for tourism in Turkey’s Black Sea region

Forty-three diving spots, set to enhance tourism activities in Turkey’s eastern Black Sea region, have been determined through the new project carried out within the scope of studies of Ordu University’s Marine Science Faculty, Demirören News Agency (DHA).

Discussing the details of the project launched under the auspices of the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency (DOKA), professor Mehmet Aydın noted that detailed research was carried out in the marine areas between the town of Ünye in Ordu province and Hopa in eastern Artvin province.

Based on their findings, suitable diving spots were identified and the project helped raise awareness of biodiversity and marine livelihoods in the region.

Professor Aydın explained the study’s data was compiled to create a catalog showcasing the diving routes. In the near future, an online edition of the catalog will be prepared, allowing interested individuals to access it for diving in the eastern Black Sea region.

Commenting on the work carried out, Aydın stated that they have determined 16 diving routes in Ordu, 19 in Giresun, seven in Trabzon and one in Artvin.

Reiterating that the project was carried out under the sponsorship of DOKA, Aydın explained that they have determined 43 diving stations and under them the underwater routes in the region. “By taking photos and videos we have prepared an insight and a beautiful tourism project for the people who want to (visit) and do diving in the region, so they can know what to expect,” he said.

“(Like this) we have added an alternative dimension to tourism,” he further said.

The professor also explained that they have determined the most adequate place for the diving as Ordu region, particularly some districts like Bolaman, Yalıköy, Perşembe and Fatsa.

“Here, if necessary, the seabed can be enriched and different structures can be placed to make it more suitable for diving tourism,” he noted.

Explaining that the region is rich in larger and small rivers as well, Aydın said that at times the likelihood of erosion gets very high because of the heavy rainfall in the region. Stating that in general there are not so many places that can make diving enjoyable in the Black Sea region, the professor opined that Ordu province carries particular potential in this matter.

“If it is to be developed, I think the Ordu region should definitely be preferred in diving tourism in the Black Sea,” he concluded. (Source: DHA)

Turkey hosts one of the biggest MICE groups from India in November this year

Turkey hosted one of the largest MICE groups from India in November 2022, welcoming around 1000 participants. Thomas Cook (India) Limited was the official travel partner for the MICE group from India. This 6-day trip covered Turkey’s two most popular and exotic cities Istanbul and Antalya, where the guests were hosted for three days each.

After arrival in Istanbul, visitors enjoyed a cruise dinner on the famous Bosphorus Strait. They also experienced a city tour and a Turkish-themed gala dinner conducted in a grand ballroom, where the guests were served exquisite Turkish delicacies followed by other traditional and cultural activities. The Istanbul trip ended with a visit to the Rahmi M. Koç Museum, where they learnt about the history of transportation, communication, and other similar industries; and the delegates also enjoyed vintage car rides.

In Antalya, the guests spent the following three days in a five-star luxury hotel, where they experienced first-class hospitality with an all-inclusive stay. Antalya’s visit was focused on organising team building and development activities. The trip concluded with a Sufi Night themed dinner and a performance by a Rajasthani Indo-Western Fusion band, Swaraag.

Commenting on this trip, Meera Charnalia, Sr. Vice President and Head, MICE, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Post reopening of borders and easing of protocols, Turkey is re-emerging strongly as a top MICE destination for our corporates in India. I am delighted that we were quick to deliver with a mega group of almost 1000 delegates for a 6-day program across Istanbul and Antalya. Our MICE Products Team handpicked vibrant experiences for their team bonding activities, including the high adrenalin rush of canyoning, rafting and ziplining across Europe’s longest (1960 metres) and World’s highest (410 metres). Exceptional and diverse elements were woven into the tour from vintage car drives, Miniaturk – one of the world’s largest miniature parks and the Rahmi M. Koç Museum and an exclusive Bosphorus dinner cruise. Turkey offers distinctive appeal, with its unique position at the confluence of both Asian and European culture-history. Turkey also offers exceptional experiences for MICE travellers such as hot air ballooning in Cappadocia and extensive gastronomy, in addition to its impressive MICE infrastructure.”

“Managing a group of almost 1000 delegates can be challenging and I’m delighted with the seamless execution by our MICE team. This would not have been possible without the Turkey Tourism Board in India, and we are truly appreciative of their amazing support”, she further added.

As international travel picked up post-pandemic, Turkey has been witnessing huge demand from corporates and travel agents, especially after the resumption of direct flights in March 2022 via both domestic and international carriers. Istanbul and Antalya receive big Indian MICE groups, from offsite meetings to social events where companies aim to boost their teams’ morale and develop stronger team bonds while strategizing growth.

IndiGo launches new connecting flights via Turkey to Portugal and Switzerland

In-line with its vision to enhance international connectivity, IndiGo has announced the launch of connecting flights via Turkey to Portugal and Switzerland, through its codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines. These new routes and frequencies, came into effect from November 23, 2022, will offer new options and more capacity for customers exploring travel between India and Europe in the upcoming holiday season.

Commenting on this, Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo said, “We have witnessed a huge demand for travel from India to Turkey, Switzerland, and Portugal. Keeping the customer demand in mind, we now offer 19 connecting flights through Istanbul to destinations like Geneva, Lisbon, Porto, and Basel. This will not only enhance international connectivity but also add capacity on these routes and make travel more affordable. We will strive to stay true to our promise of affordable fares, on-time performance, courteous and hassle-free service.”

These destinations are known for their breathtaking scenic tourist locations throughout the year. Portugal offers some of Europe’s most pristine beaches with turquoise water surrounded by sandstone cliffs and curiously formed rock formations. Major tourist attraction is the capital Lisbon, the city of Porto, Odemira, Faro and the city of Sintra. There is a lot to do in Portugal, from visiting old castles and palaces to surfing at the Atlantic Ocean Coastline. The old village of Sortelha, the Pena Palace, the Castle of the Moors, the historic fishing town of Cascais and the waterfalls of the Azores are among the things you must see if you are travelling to Portugal.

On the other hand, Turkey serves the interest of travellers fascinated with history who frequently visit the ancient Greek city of Ephesus, the Cappadocia rock valleys, the pure white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, and the ruins of the former Armenian capital Ani and much more. Attractions like Hagia Sophia Mosque, Dolmabahce Palace, Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum and Istanbul Cevahir Mall are amongst the bucket list of every traveller. The city has a unique mixture of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, appetizing middle eastern food, and pleasant weather.

Switzerland, considered to be the ‘Paradise on earth’ is a beautiful, tourist-attracting country. While it is most famous for its ski resorts during the winter, it is beautiful all year round. The Alpine mountains stretch across the Balkans to France, making Switzerland the perfect skiing destination. The lakes and cities are also must-visit places in Switzerland, but the most special ones are the towns. These flights will not only promote international tourism, trade, and commerce, but also make travel affordable to these destinations through direct connections and additional capacity. Snow-capped mountains, pristine beaches, delicious food, rich culture, architectural marvels, Christmas markets, winter festivals, and of course, New Years’ celebrations will make Europe magical and more appealing to the customers.

These flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options to access destinations which help in building businesses and are known for their tourist attractions. Customers who wish to plan their travel can book tickets via our official website. The introduction of these flights will further bolster the airline’s international connectivity.

Turkey launches online destination learning programme “All in Türkiye”

Turkey has launched a learning platform titled “All in Türkiye” to offer online courses on the country’s touristic assets. Designed to provide easy access to the most accurate and up-to-date information on Turkey from anywhere in the world and available to all tourism professionals, ‘All In Türkiye’ offers online destination training at no cost.

Upon successful completion of the courses, industry professionals will be issued a “Türkiye Specialist” certificate.
The programme has been designed for international travel agencies, tour operators, and tourism professionals. All in Türkiye offers online courses on Turkey’s history, culture, nature, and tourism destinations, providing the opportunity to promote and market the country in the most effective and efficient manner.

Tourism professionals registered on the All in Türkiye platform website (www.allinturkiye.com) will receive online destination training and explore Türkiye with photos, videos, and detailed commentaries at their own pace from the comfort of their homes. The training provided on the platform will enhance the level of information tourism employees share with their customers thereby improving their earning potential. All in Türkiye courses also offer first-hand marketing and branding resources designed to assist in selling Türkiye to holiday-makers.

Industry professionals who have successfully completed the courses will be granted branded certificates and will be able to use the title “Türkiye Specialist”.

Offering varied approaches for selling Türkiye to a diverse clientele, All in Türkiye currently provides 11 comprehensive courses entitled “Safe Tourism Certification & Insurance”, “About Türkiye”, “İstanbul”, “Antalya”, “İzmir”, “Cappadocia”, “Mediterranean”, “Aegean”, “Selling Türkiye”, “MICE”, and “Outdoor & Adventure”. All designed to educate tourism professionals on unique selling points of Turkey’s various and rich offerings, each course runs for 60, 90, or 120 minutes. By March 2022, a total of 24 courses are anticipated to be online on the platform.

 

12,000 year old Gobeklitepe Temple in Turkey registers record number of visitors in 2021

Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most important Neolithic Age settlements in Turkey, hosted 567,453 people in 2021, reaching the highest number of visitors in its modern history. The site has been inundated by local and foreign tourists since 2018, when it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List and became accessible to visitors. Göbeklitepe is expected to draw even more visitors in 2022.

Located 15 kilometres northeast of Şanlıurfa, near Örencik village, Göbeklitepe has attracted local and foreign visitors since its discovery. Göbeklitepe was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018, and the findings at the site offered dramatic new knowledge regarding the Neolithic Age. Interest in Göbeklitepe is expected to rise, with the Centre anticipated to host a record number of visitors in 2022.

With a history dating to 9600 BCE, Göbeklitepe changed the narrative on Neolithic Era hunter-gatherer communities. Göbeklitepe, built tens of centuries prior to the invention of writing and the wheel, 7,100 years before the Egyptian Pyramids and 6,100 years before Stonehenge, revealed evidence indicating that hunter-gatherer societies were more advanced than previously thought.

The T-shaped obelisks at Göbeklitepe, reaching up to 5.5 metres, are the first examples of human-made monumental architecture. These obelisks, which feature animal motifs, geometric shapes and human depictions reminiscent of a mythological narrative, show that Göbeklitepe was used as a belief centre.