News from Turkey

The total number of foreign tourists visiting Antalya is recorded as 7.2 million in the first 8 months of 2017; surpassing the figure of the whole 2016 since a total of 6.4 million visited Antalya in 2016.

Aegean Touristic Hotels and Investors Associations – ETIK has published a special report which reveals that Turkey’s Aegean city of Izmir has recorded 6.5% increase in tourist arrivals and surpassed last year’s figure.

Turkey celebrates today the 95th anniversary of Victory Day. August 30 marks the Turkish victory against Greek forces at the Battle of Dumlupınar, the final battle of the War of Independence in 1922.

Turkey’s popular Uzakrota Travel Summit will be organized its first international event in Belgrad. Uzakrota Travel Summit will be held at Metropol Hotel Belgrad on October 27.

A Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Özkent Girisim Gayrimenkul Yatırım ve Ticaret A.S. for a Hyatt Centric hotel in Bodrum, Turkey. Hyatt Centric Yalikavak Bodrum will be managed by Access Tourism and Hotel Investment Consultancy Ltd.

The number of foreigners visiting Turkey continues to increase in July 2017. Following 43% increase in June 2017, the number of foreigners visiting Turkey increased by 46.36% in July 2017, compared to July 2016. According to the tourism statistics announced by the Tourism Ministry, the number of arriving foreigners in Turkey in July 2017 has reached 5,075,961.

Tourism in Istanbul is continuing its recovery from the effects of the 2015-16 terror attacks. The Istanbul Culture and Tourism Directorate announced city’s travel statistics for July 2017. Istanbul’s tourist arrivals boom compare to July 2016. The directorate said that total tourist arrivals to the city in July 2017 increased 43% compare to July 2016. Germany ranked No.1 source market for Istanbul.

Izmir International Fair (IEF) opened its doors for the 86th time on August 18, 2017. The Izmir International Fair is the oldest tradeshow in Turkey, considered the cradle of Turkey's fairs and expositions industry, and is also notable for hosting a series of simultaneous festival activities.

Ascott shares the opening of its first Turkey serviced residence Somerset Maslak Istanbul with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim during his first official trip to Singapore. The 165-unit serviced residence is an integral part of the new Maslak 1453, Europe’s largest lifestyle development complex spanning more than two million square meters.

Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag announced that The Eid al–Adha (Feast of Sacrifice) holiday has been extended to 10 days in Turkey.

Turkish Airlines, a leader in terms of international destinations served and Africa’s top international carrier with 51 routes in the continent, partners with the group Love Army for Somalia (spearheaded by social media stars Jerome Jarre, Casey Neistat and actor Ben Stiller).

Istanbul based TAV Airports has fulfilled the requirements of the program which was launched to promote female employment and prevent discrimination against women at the workplace. Supported by the World Bank, the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER) has the purpose to put an end to gender discrimination in business life.

The Sabiha Gökçen Airport, located on the Asian side of Istanbul, handled a total of 3.2 million passengers last month, and the number of passengers using the airport saw a 13% increase compared to the figures in the last year over the same period, which was 2.6 million.

Turkish Cargo continues to prove its service quality to customers in 120 countries of the world by receiving Accreditation of Qualified Enviromental Suppliers (QEP) from more thermally controlled container provider Envirotainer for five different stations as well as Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST), which is the carrier’s motion hub.