MeeTurkey Magazine

MEETURKEY

SEPTEMBER’2010 YEAR:16 NO:61

Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

ÇAT Bridge Eastern Black Sea Tourism Master Plan

From the Editor

September’2010 Year:16 NO:61

Where are We? Turkey has been moving fast in finding its place in the world recently.

Tourism has also moved to diversify, highlighting the unknown parts of Turkey, our food, culture, nature, hospitality, fashion, art, festivals, sailing.

However, we are in danger of losing all. We are working on the application of projects that will spoil our most valued assets - nature and culture - without having carefully assessed the long-term results.

We haven’t considered our markets - and what they want - but only what our planners want to provide. We haven’t considered long-term trends in oil prices, life-styles and disposable income. What we have - natural landscape, fascinating history and friendly people are becoming rare resources in this overcrowded world.

Tourism is about bringing prosperity with the projects and products - but the prosperity must be sustainable and benefit, not despoil, Turkey’s regions. As the world is focusing in the right direction of sustainability, eco-tourism, organic food, eco-villages, recapturing the GREEN attitude, WHERE ARE WE? This issue is the most important fact facing the Turkish planners today. Many groups would like them to allow short-term profit for entrepreneurs at the expense of the long-term good of the public. Turkey was and still is in some places virgin as far as the soil that is necessary for “organic plantation” is concerned. Our natural resources, rivers, lakes, green pastures that feed our animals for milk, meat, poultry, eggs are still not poisoned by chemicals. Before opening those areas to mass tourism that might bring unfortunate, nature-killing hotels, buildings that destroy visionary satisfaction (especially at the Black Sea Region), should we not considering alternative and less destructive forms of accommodation and transport?

Many countries have many years of experience of these alternative technologies and systems (rail, teleferik, cable cars, restoration of old buildings for hotels, accommodation in farms and peoples’ homes). Turkey has its own experience with teleferiques and fast trains - we could implement these technologies in a progressive and creative way.

Many modern, wealthy countries with similar geography, such as Switzerland, use a combination of railroads that surround the mountains and attract quality tourist to that area, and teleferiques to transport tourists high into the mountains.

Most tourists suffer from traffic jams and driving stress every day of their lives - they do not want to drive on holiday.

All visitors admire the hospitality of Turkey’s rural population - when you ask a foreigner what they like about Turkey the inevitable answer is - the people and the food. Could we not build on our strengths?

The third bridge, the HES, the farmers that are encouraged to grow chemical fed products, the population that has been left ignorant regarding the consumption of these goods will not bring a healthy, wealthy, prosperous generation that will carry Turkey to the future.

We need to look and absorb where the Tourism is heading in the world. The global attitude is “GO GREEN” and we must embrace it, if we want to survive in health, wealth and economic growth that is the two front wheels of tourism.

Our cover story is on the Black Sea Region, concentrating on a special project - the Eastern Black Sea Tourism Master Plan.

Kate Clow attended the latest meeting and, as an expert on the area, has valuable comments on the sustainable development of the area that will attract quality tourist that comes for nature and culture that is not spoilt by projects that destroy the charm and character of the area.

Turkey is at the cross-roads of civilizations but also at the cross-roads of spoiling its nature and tourism.

The trend is simple, safe, natural not chaotic, dangerous, and unnatural.

The world is full of these hazards anyhow. Let us be wise and preserve and develop what has already been given to Turkey in abundance as far as untouched natural resources, a rich cultural heritage and smiling, hospitable people are concerned. Travel to Turkey and see for yourself.

Sevil Oren

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Contents

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Yachts raced at The 5th International 32 55 Aegean Yacht Rally The Aegean Yacht Rally targets to develop friendship and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries of the Aegean Sea; Greece and Turkey.

1 Turkish Grand Prix Boosts 42 Formula Istanbul Tourism

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Istanbul hosted the 7th leg of Formula 1 races at Istanbul Park between 28-30 May. Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix, ahead of his teammate Jenson Buton

30 24 Legendary Grandeur

Historical Pera Palace Hotel reopens with

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Istanbul’s historical Pera Palace Hotel, which hosted a wide range of luminaries, celebrities, politicians, and heads of state, announced the reopening on September 1st, 2010.

Wine Scoops Medals at London 30 Turkish International Wine Fair 2010

Turkish wines promoted by Wines of Turkey, the umbrella organisation representing the Turkish wine sector, scored a coup at the London International Wine Fair (LIWF)

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18 Antalya to host 47th Golden Orange Film Festival

The festival, organized by the Antalya Foundation for Culture and Arts with the support of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 14, 2010.

CONTENTS

News Line Turkey 06 Fame & Game 18 Meet at Exhibition 20 Fly & Sail 22 Meet & Eat 25 Meet at Imex 26 Meet at a Historical Hotel 28 Meet at Festival 29 Cover Story 30 News Line World 37 Destinations 45 D.M. Companies 49

44 Eastern Black Sea Tourism Master Plan

On 7th August, the great and good of the Turkish establishment were gathered in the new Ridos Spa hotel in the Ikizdere valley just west of Rize, for the fifth meeting of the planning group for the master plan.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

September’2010

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News Line Turkey

Historic Mass at Monastery in TrabzonTurkey

Around 2,500 Orthodox Christians held the first Mass in 88 years at the ancient Sümela Monastery in Turkey’s north-eastern province of Trabzon at August 15.

Trabzon Governor Kizilcik said that the service, which was held first time after 88 years, was attended by Orthodox Christians from Greece, Russia, Georgia, USA, Turkey and led by Patriarch Bartholomew I; the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians.

“We are most thankful as this day is sacred for not only believers in the Black Sea but for all Orthodox and the Christian world as it is the Assumption Day of Mother Mary.

We are blessed to celebrate this day here in Sümela. First it is grace from God and then it is grace from the government,” said Patriarch Bartholomew I. Standing at the foot of a steep cliff facing the Altindere valley in Trabzon’s Macka town, Sumela Monastery lies at an altitude of approximately 1,200 meters. Founded in the year 386 AD during the reign of the Emperor Theodosius I (375-395), legend has it that two priests undertook the founding of the monastery on the site after having discovered a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary in a cave on the mountain.

The principal elements of the Monastery complex are the Rock Church, several chapels, kitchens, student rooms, a guesthouse, a library, and a sacred spring revered

by Orthodox Greeks. The entrance to the Monastery leads up a long and narrow stairway.

The inner and outer walls of the Rock Church and the walls of the adjacent chapel are decorated with frescoes. The main subject of the frescoes is biblical scenes telling the story of Christ and the Virgin Mary. n

Over 4 million visited Turkey Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo

More than 4 million people visited Turkey Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo which will run until October 31, 2010.

The theme of the Turkish Pavilion was inspired by one of the first known settlements in the world, Çatalhöyük, which is currently located in the center of Anatolia.

The exterior design of the pavilion has been realized in consideration with the wall

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frescos found at a house in Çatalhöyük which is the earliest known center of population in the whole world belonging to the Neolithic Age. The fresco on the wall represents the volcanic mountain, Hasandağ, and the houses in Çatalhöyük. It depicts the plan or the appearance of the world’s first center of population. The façade has been interpreted as impressed by the said fresco. It is also interesting to see how that Neolithicage fresco is in compliance with today’s architectural trends.

The organizers of the Turkish pavilion have given away eight-day holidays to 8,888 Chinese visitors.

More than 37.8 million people have visited the Expo site since it opened on May 1. n

Istanbul Hosted “Design for All” Conference

Kale Design Centre, TAG Platform and Istanbul Bilgi University Design Culture and Administration Programme organized “Design for All” Conference on May 20, 2010 at santralistanbul.

EIDD - Design for All Europe is a federation of National and Corporate Member Organisations in 22 European countries.

The original aim of federation, to use design to achieve the inclusion of disabled people in society in European countries, has since been reinforced with inclusion of a more mainstream approach, enhancing the quality of life through Design for All. President of EIDD Finn Petren and head of External relations Pete Kercher attended the conference in Istanbul as speakers.

Non-governmental organizations (NGO), representatives from municipality, academicians, architects, and designers were attended the conference where the EIDD presented their activities and projects they operate. Organized first time in Turkey, the conference underlined the fact that “Design for All” can enable all people to have equal opportunities to participate in every aspect of society. To achieve this, the built environment, everyday objects, services, culture and information – in short, everything that is designed and made by people to be used by people – must be accessible, convenient for everyone in society to use and responsive to evolving human diversity. n

News Line Turkey

City of Emperors – the Legendary Istanbul is at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum!

To celebrate the selection of Istanbul as the European Capital of Culture for 2010, Sabancı University Sakıp Sabancı Museum (SSM) is hosting an exhibition entitled “From Byzantion to Istanbul: 8000 Years of A Capital”. The exhibition, which will be on display from June 5th to September 4th, presents the peerless history of Istanbul from its founding until today with over 500 works, some of which are the discoveries from the Yenikapı excavation conducted as part of the Marmaray Project, which goes back 8000 years. The exhibition sheds light on the glorious history of a city that has served as the capital city for the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires from Byzantion to New Rome, from Constantinople to Istanbul, and it brings together treasures scattered among various countries through trade, gifts and historic events such as the looting of the 4th Crusade.

The exhibition is hosting selected works from leading institutions in England, Germany, France, Italy, the Vatican, Hungary, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Ireland, Qatar, Portugal, and Russia. The exhibition also includes works selected from state museums, private museums and collections in Turkey and brings together, for the first time, a range of different pieces chosen from a total of 58 museums, 39 of which are located abroad and 19 in Turkey.

The exhibition tells the story of Istanbul’s transformation from a Roman garrison to the capital of the empire after the separation of Rome into East and West, the stages of growth, stagnation and collapse experienced during the Byzantine Empire and its rebirth after being conquered by the Ottomans in 1453 while presenting the times of upheaval and the golden eras in the history of this capital of empire, which in a sense, is woven into the tapestry of European history. The rich tradition created by the diverse religious heritage of the city is presented. The comprehensive exhibition catalogue, which includes articles from 20 foreign and Turkish academicians as well as colorful visuals, serves as a valuable reference for everyone interested in Istanbul as it touches on the socio-political, cultural and historical aspects of the city during different periods.

Exhibition Coordinator, SSM Director, Dr. Nazan Ölçer, provided information about the exhibition, saying, “As part of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture event calendar, we thought it would be appropriate to remind the 15 million inhabitants of Istanbul and the entire world of Istanbul’s 8000-year history and its cosmopolitan identty born of a blend of different cultures with this comprehensive exhibition.

I believe that everyone who visits our exhibition will find their desire to discover Istanbul is rekindled.”The exhibition’s primary sponsor is the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency and it is being carried out with the generous contributions of Sabancı Holding. n

Turkish Cuisine Promoted in New York

The U.S. magazine “Bon Appetit” and Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry New York Culture and Promotion Attaché’s office organized an event for promotion of Turkish cuisine at cooking studio at Times Square.

Turkey’s Consul General in New York Mehmet Samsar, Culture and Promotion Attaché Nihan Bekar and representatives from several travel agencies attended the event.

Marc Cooper from “Bon Appetit” said that everyone should visit Turkey and Istanbul was one of the most important gastronomy centres in the world.

Bekar said there were several reasons for Americans to visit Turkey, adding

that Turkish cuisine was one of those reasons.

Founder of Istanbul Culinary Institute, Chef Hande Bozdoğan who attended the event, prepared samples from rich Turkish cuisine. Participants that mostly came from USA’s leading travel agency associations such as Virtuoso, Signature, and American Express enjoyed Turkish foods.

Chef Hande Bozdoğan is recently attended with the support of New York Culture and Promotion Attaché to the NRA Show in Chicago and made a presentation. n

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Body Worlds Exhibition in Istanbul

Seen by more than 30 Million people around the globe, BODY WORLDS, like no other exhibition in the world, changes the way we see ourselves. The trailblazing German scientist and physician, Dr. Gunther von Hagens, presents more than 200 authentic human specimens transformed into plastinates through a conservation process called Plastination. The Body Worlds exhibition can be seen at Warehouse No.3 in Karaköy, Istanbul until 17 December 2010.

BODY WORLDS invites the visitor to navigate the inner terrains and outer borders of the human landscape. This multisensory experience compels visitors to reflect on the elegant form and function of the human body, its fragility under distress and disease and its amazing strength and potential when healthy.

BODY WORLDS is an unforgettable encounter with humankind as well as with oneself.

Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibitions are the only public anatomical displays that stem from an established Body donation program and use donated bodies.

The worlds famous exhibiton Body Worlds is presented by THEPARTNERS. n

News Line Turkey

Istanbulive Festival in New York’s Central Park Charmed Turks and Americans

The Central Park in New York City hosted the second Istanbulive Festival, which paid a tribute to late Arif Mardin, a renowned Turkish-American music composer and producer.

Arif Mardin’s son Joe Mardin said he was honoured to hear that the Istanbulive festival was held as a tribute to his father.

This year, Istanbul is being officially hailed as the European Capital of Culture. Coinciding with this prestigious honour, on Saturday, July 3, from 2pm to 7pm, Istanbulive II arrived at New York’s Central Park Summer Stage. For five hours, Turkey’s most exciting and daring contemporary artists, whose music encompasses myriad East-meets-West sounds from Turkish rock to jazz, dance, pop and folk, took the stage live at the Central Park in NYC. The festival featured Turkish musicians like Kenan Dogulu, Sukriye Tutkun, Ilhan Ersahin, DJ Ozan Dogulu and Turkish band Duman. Turkish musician Ilhan Ersahin who lives in New York also attended the festival with a special performance.

The festival was followed by thousands of Turks and Americans. The second edition of the festival is organized with more success. This year’s event has international sponsors like MTV Iggy and National Geographic Music. n

Family Fun in Istanbul

Adventurous, educational and just plain fun, there is no better place in the world for a family vacation than Turkey.

From Blue Flag beaches on the Mediterranean to some of civilization’s most exciting ancient treasures, this is a destination where travellers of every age, whatever their tastes and interests, will be delighted and often amazed.

Here is a sampling of reasons for taking the family to Istanbul this year: A “must” for every traveller, Istanbul was recently cited in Lonely Planet’s 5th Edition of “Travel with Children” as one of the top ten cities in the world.

See all of Turkey’s historical monuments in one day at Miniaturk, featuring over 105 miniature models of cultural icons such as the Sultanahmet Mosque, Dolmabahçe Palace, Hagia Sophia and Pamukkale.

Istanbul Toy Museum features over 7,000 antique toys collected by acclaimed Turkish author and poet, Sunay Akin.

Turkey’s largest aquarium, Turkuazoo Istanbul Aquarium, has over 29 different exhibit areas. Sharks, giant stingrays, piranhas, octopus, even rare freshwater species brought from the Amazon and the Mekong River in Vietnam are among the inhabitants.

A family cruise on the Bosphorus features the winding ocean strait that separates Europe and Asia, with old wooden villas, marble palaces and the ancient fortresses. n

Schwarzenegger Chose Turkey for Holiday

Governor of California and famous American actor famed with the movie ‘Terminator’; Arnold Schwarzenegger and his family chose Turkey for their holiday. They took a Blue Voyage on the Aegean coastline of Turkey by visiting bays at Fethiye, Marmaris, Datça, and Bodrum.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, his family and relatives enjoyed one week holiday at coves of Turkey’s Aegean coast on a 38-meter luxurious yacht named Domani. Domani left Bodrum pier on June 13 and after 5-days of Blue Voyage, returned the Bodrum Milta Marina on June 18, 2010.

On the last night of their holiday, Schwarzenegger Family walked through the famous Bars’ Street of Bodrum and shopped at the bazaar. The family bought four 16-meter long Milas and Mazı carpets from the Bodrum Bazaar.

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“I met with incredible beauties at the Aegean bays of Turkey. I enjoyed this holiday very much! Next year, we will definitely come here again with my wife” said Arnold Schwarzenegger before leaving Turkey.

Short Films about Istanbul from Foreign Directors A group of foreign directors will shoot short films about Istanbul as part of a project carried out within the scope of this renowned Turkish city’s holding the title of “European Capital of Culture 2010”.

Six internationally recognized directors will each shoot 15-minute short films about Istanbul within the framework of a project titled “Do not forget me - Istanbul”.

The director of the first Istanbul movie will be Bosnian Aida Begic, who won the “Critics Week Grand Prize” at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival with her movie “Snow”. Moreover, legendary Greek director Theodoros Angelopoulos’ scenarist Petros Markaris will be the script advisor of “Do not forget me Istanbul” project.

Aside from Begic, Stefan Arsenijevic from Serbia, Stergios Niziris from Greece, Omar Shargawi from Denmark, Hany Abu-Assad from Palestine and Eric Nazarian from USA will shoot short films telling stories about Istanbul.

The shootings are expected to be completed by the end of October.

Istanbul, the largest and most-populated city in Turkey, is the country’s cultural, economic, and financial centre. The city, located on the Bogazici (Bosphorus) Strait and encompassing the natural harbour known as Halic (Golden Horn), extends both on the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital city of many civilizations such as the Roman Empire, Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The city has been selected the “European Capital of Culture” for 2010. n

News Line Turkey

The 25th European People Management Conference to be held in Istanbul

The European Association for People Management (EAPM) which was founded by the national associations and professional institutions of personnel management in France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, will celebrate its 40 years of People Management leadership in Turkey, at the 25th European conference that will take place in Istanbul on September 28-30, 2011, organized by VIP Tourism.

The world has become far more unstable and competitive than ever before. We continuously need to find ways to gain competitive advantage whenever and wherever possible. One of these is clearly the management of human resources, which traditionally regarded as a department function, is now being widely shared among all business managers. We need to take HR to the next level, bringing people and performance together.

Convergence is the act of moving toward union or uniformity. It is also a meeting place, where distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole. It is the approach toward a definite value, a definite point, a common view or opinion, or a state.

“People” and “performance” strategies, targets and practices have been converging.

People Management is emerging to uniquely combine activities and processes of human resource management, organizational development, brand management, communication studies, psychology, sociology, and some other areas — the fields that “grew up” distinct from each other. In pursuing this convergence there are some clear divergences, nuances and specific themes.

Gain new perspective and greater understanding of the differences and similarities in various countries, cultures, corporations, functions, policies and practices.

At the 25th European conference in Istanbul, participants will discover contemporary best practices and get insights on how to use the convergences as opportunities and how to realign their strategy to maximize performance and profits. The topics will be widely discussed by business and people management leaders, in the light of relevant literature.

Participants will enjoy the opportunities to network with HR professionals from throughout Europe, connect with many exhibitors who offer products and services catering to your HR needs, interact with concurrent session speakers and they will walk away with practical information to enhance their People Management practices and improve the success of their business. n

Istanbul Hosted Bosphorus cross continental swimming race

The 22nd Bosphorus cross-continental swimming, rowing and canoeing race took place in Istanbul on 18 July 2010.

750 men and women swimmers, 250 rowers and canoeists from more than 40 countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Turkey and the United States took part in the 6.5km race in the Bosphorus strait.

Crossing from Asia to Europe, between two continents collectively offers participants particular pleasure and excitement and each year hundreds of amateur swimmers of every age, from every corner of the world, eagerly await the day of the contest and

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contestants who successfully complete the first and only intercontinental swimming competition in the world, already start to experience the excitement of next year’s expectations.

First winner in 2010 race in swimming category is Turkish athlete Hasan Musluoglu with a time of 41 minutes 20 seconds followed by another Turkish Deniz Turan in 43:46. Gabriel Moldoveanu from Romania finished third in 44:46. Şişecam Çayırova Team came first in rowing both in Men 4x and Women 2x categories, Fenerbahçe Team came first in Men 2x, Gebze High Tech. Institute came first in Women 1x, and Beykoz Municipality came first in Men 1x category. Şişecam Çayırova Team also came first in canoeing in K1 Men and K1 Women category, whereas Marmara University in K2 Men and Ferdi Team in K2 Mix category won the races.

Being held for the 22nd time this year, the 2010 Bosphorus cross-continental swim was held in seven categories with support from Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

The race was organized by the Turkish national Olympic Committee at the Bosphorus strait from Asian side to European side, covering 6.5km and supposed to be completed within 2 hours at most.

The first race of this kind was held in 1989 with the participation of four female and 64 male swimmers. Now it is met with a constantly increasing amount of interest every year and repeated under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee, under the slogan “Sports for Everyone”. n

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News Line Turkey

Istanbul Cup 2010 held at ENKA Arena

The Istanbul Cup is one of the 53 WTA Tournaments and has been on the tour since 2005.

The exhibition bouts alongside the tournament matches have attracted the attention of all world tennis fans to Istanbul.

Istanbul Cup 2010 took place at ENKA Arena in Istanbul between 26 July and 1 August 2010.

The official opening ceremony of the event took place in Topkapi Palace with the participation of Sony Ericsson WTA Tour President Stacey Allaster and Turkey Tennis Federation President Ayda Uluç.

WTA President Stacey Allaster said, “I heard many things about Istanbul. I am very happy to be here. As you may know, best tennis players of the world will be here in Istanbul next year for the WTA Championship. WTA will continue to be in Istanbul.

I would like to thank to Turkish government and Turkish Tennis Federation for their support and contribution”.

After one week long matches, Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova won Istanbul Cup singles title after a longest match she ever played. 19 year-old Russian beat countrywomen Elena Vesnina 5-7, 7-5 and 6-4 in three hours and ten minutes final match. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova clinched her second WTA singles title, while Vesnina lost her third WTA final.

Eleni Daniilidou-Jasmin Wöhr has won the title in doubles at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour İstanbul Cup. They did so beating the number one seeded couple KondratievaUhlirova in the final.

Eleni Daniilidou-Jasmin Wöhr received their trophies from Ayda Uluc, President of the Turkish Tennis Federation and Yunus Çelik, Turkish Airlines representative. Runnersup Kondratieva-Uhlirova received their prizes from Turkish Tennis Federation Vice president Cengiz Durmuş and PTT General Director Osman Tural. n

First City Museum of Istanbul Opened

Adalar Muzesi (Museum of Princes’ Islands); the first contemporary city museum of Istanbul was inaugurated with several exhibitions on July 31.

The museum exhibits the social history, today, and future of the Princes’ Islands, situated on the Sea of Marmara.

The Municipality of the Princes’ Islands and the Foundation of the Princes’ Islands are cooperated in inauguration of the museum with the financial support of the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency.

Residents of the islands and more than 50 experts worked in establishment of the museum. More than 20,000 archives, including photographs and memoirs of the residents and 8mm films, are on display in the museum.

For more information about the museum, please visit www.adalarmuzesi.org. n

AnadoluJet is now Rising from Sabiha Gokcen Airport

AnadoluJet, as a trade mark of Turkish Airlines, has went into operation in 2008 starting with 20 flight points and 5 aircraft, in order to provide fast and economic transportation for Anatolian people.

AnadoluJet offers more new flight opportunities to its passengers with a fleet of 22 aircraft which is aimed to be possessed during August as a part of 2010 summer schedule..

Effective by August 2nd, 2010, all the domestic and international round-trip flights carried out by Turkish Airlines from Sabiha Gokcen Airport will be operated by AnadoluJet. Due to being Sabiha Gokcen Airport the second hub after Esenboga

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Airport for AnadoluJet, passengers would have the chance of flying with much more economic prices. Sabiha Gokcen Airport, as a second hub, will contribute to the need of fast and more economic transportation of Istanbul.

The international round-trip flights from Sabiha Gokcen which will be carried out

by AnadoluJet by August 2nd, 2010, will be Nicosia-Cyprus, Amsterdam, LondonStansted, Moscow-Sheremetyevo besides the current flights of Stockholm-Arlanda, Copenhagen, Nahcivan and the domestic round-trip flights will be İzmir-Adnan Menderes, Antalya, Adana plus to the current domestic flights of Ankara-Esenboga, Trabzon, Erzurum, Dalaman, Konya and Bodrum-Milas.

The detailed information about AnadoluJet, aiming at introducing Anatolian people with airplanes and flights, could be reached at 444 AJET (444 2538) Call Centre or www. anadolujet.com website. n

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport Breaks Passenger Record

The number of passengers flying via Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SGIA) increased 95% in the first half of 2010 compare to same period last year.

According to the announcement from the SGIA, in the first half of 2009, 1,799,300 domestic passengers use the airport, whereas in 2010 this number increased to 3,465,570.

Number of international passengers between January and June period counted 771,340 in 2009 and 771,340 in 2010. Totally, number of passengers using airport is increased from 2,570,640 (2009) to 5,007,000 in 2010. The increase from last year is a record of 95%.

SGIA aims that 11 million passengers will use airport by the end of 2010. SGIA, which is one of the fastest growing airports in Europe, has 25 million passengers capacity. As of today, there are flights to 66 international and 25 domestic points. 51 airline companies operate at SGIA. n

News Line Turkey

Setur Opened Yalova Marina

Short Films about Istanbul from Foreign Directors

Setur Marinas, which runs seven marinas; Kalamış and Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, Ayvalık, Çeşme, Kuşadası, Marmaris Netsel, and Finike, announced opening of its newest marina in Yalova.

Setur Marinas the leader in Turkey’s marina sector won the tender for Yalova Marina in 2007. Construction commenced in July 2009 and the opening ceremony took place on Friday, 23 July 2010 with the participation of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. With this new marina, Setur Marinas’ total capacity increased from 3,900 births to 4,240 births.

Yalova is a city located in north-western Turkey, on the eastern coast of the Sea of Marmara, and is the capital of the Yalova Province. Yalova has a number of tourist attractions, such as the köşk (Ottoman-Turkish style mansion) used by Atatürk during his visits to the city, and of course, its famous hot springs in Termal. n

1515 Turkish appetizers entered Guinness Book of Records

Turkish Yeni Rakı and Turkey’s All Cooks Federation organized a festival on July 3rd at Bosphorus. The festival brought a record of 1515 appetizers cooked by 90 chefs with the authorities from Guinness Record Book.

All appetizers are controlled and notarized by the authorities from Guinness. Mey Drinks Marketing Manager Elif Göktaş stated that as 2010 is the Istanbul European Capital of Culture, they decided to realize this project which has two years of studies.

Göktaş added that this project is one of the projects they support raki and culture of dining. Göktaş said 1515 appetizers cooked by 90 chefs from Turkey Cooks National Team clearly show the rich appetizer culture of Turkey. “We push the boundaries of creativity in appetizer business. First cooks determined 1515 appetizers. Then wrote their receipts one by one”, added Göktaş. n

Certificate of Appreciation to ICVB from the Mayor

34 tourism volunteers representing companies and NGOs came together in Istanbul at Emirgan Beyaz Köşk by the invitation of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Tourism Platform Coordinator Tülin Ersöz on behalf of Istanbul Mayor Dr. Kadir Topbaş.

Mayor Kadir Topbaş attended the breakfast meeting and rewarded 34 tourism volunteers with “Appreciation Certificates” for their contribution to the city’s tourism.

Mrs. Handan Boyce, General Manager of ICVB, received her certificate from the Mayor for her contribution to the convention and meeting industry of Istanbul.

During the breakfast meeting, Mayor gave some good news about the new infrastructure projects. One of them is a cable car project to run between Asian and European sides of Bosphorus. Topbaş drew attention to the project that will connect two banks of the Bosphorus and that will have a big contribution to tourism.

Despite the economic crisis in the world, Istanbul has not experienced a decline in the sale of real estate.

Topbaş stressed, “The square meter price of an incomplete Bosphorus view residence is selling at 10-15 thousand dollars”. Istanbul is growing rapidly in the way to become a convention and financial centre. n

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A group of foreign directors will shoot short films about Istanbul as part of a project carried out within the scope of this renowned Turkish city’s holding the title of “European Capital of Culture 2010”.

Six internationally recognized directors will each shoot 15-minute short films about Istanbul within the framework of a project titled “Do not forget me - Istanbul”.

The director of the first Istanbul movie will be Bosnian Aida Begic, who won the “Critics Week Grand Prize” at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival with her movie “Snow”. Moreover, legendary Greek director Theodoros Angelopoulos’ scenarist Petros Markaris will be the script advisor of “Do not forget me Istanbul” project.

Aside from Begic, Stefan Arsenijevic from Serbia, Stergios Niziris from Greece, Omar Shargawi from Denmark, Hany Abu-Assad from Palestine and Eric Nazarian from USA will shoot short films telling stories about Istanbul. The shootings are expected to be completed by the end of October.

Istanbul, the largest and most-populated city in Turkey, is the country’s cultural, economic, and financial centre. The city, located on the Bogazici (Bosphorus) Strait and encompassing the natural harbour known as Halic (Golden Horn), extends both on the European and Asian sides of the Bosphorus, and is thereby the only metropolis in the world that is situated on two continents. In its long history, Istanbul has served as the capital city of many civilizations such as the Roman Empire, Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The city has been selected the “European Capital of Culture” for 2010. n

UAE Heritage Days opens in Turkey

UAE Ambassador to Turkey Khalid Khalifa Al Mualla inaugurated here the “Emirates Heritage Days’, a week-long cultural festival that will portray the tradition and the heritage of United Arab Emirates.

The event is organized by the Municipality of Ankara and is attended by a large number of people. The opening ceremony was attended by senior Turkish officials including Director of Ankara Municipality and Deputy Speaker of Turkish Parliament Zakaria Aslan This is the first showcasing of the of cultural heritage of the UAE in Ankara and is part of a cultural project launched by the embassy in Turkey under the theme “Cultural Initiatives”, which will continue throughout the year at various intervals to enlighten the people of Turkey on the heritage, arts and history of the UAE and to enhance communication between the two countries. The Ambassador delivered a speech welcoming the guests and visitors, in which he discussed the historical relations linking the two countries and the depth of Islamic and religious ties between the two countries. n

Tee up for the Excitement of 8th Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golf Cup

The 8th Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golf Cup will be held at the Istanbul Golf Club on September 4 and 5, 2010, with two ladies categories, three mens categories, a juniors and a seniors category.

Golf, known as “The Game of Kings”, is also the sport of choice of the world’s most powerful executives, so it’s natural that the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul, voted Europe’s Leading Business Hotel

by World Travel Awards in 2009, would be the organiser of one of Turkey’s most prestigious golf championships, the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul Golf Cup. Following the tournament, an awards ceremony will be held overlooking the city from the Skyline Club Lounge on the 20th floor of the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul. Along with their trophies, winners will receive exciting prizes including a weekend at the Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul and Mövenpick Hotel Izmir, dinner at the AzzuR Restaurant and even a chocolate massage.

At the cocktail the draw will select two lucky winners amongst the participants. One player will win two return tickets to Frankfurt courtesy of Lufthansa German Airlines and three nights accommodation for two at Mövenpick Hotel Frankfurt City

including breakfast and the other lucky player will win four nights accommodation for two at Mövenpick Tower & Suites Doha including breakfast n

In Brief * Esra Erişkin Tüzün named General Manager of Gezi Hotel Bosphorus, Esra Tüzün

Taksim. * Meral Özçelik has been appointed Hilton Dalaman Resort & Spa as Sales

Can Girgin

and Marketing Director. * Tayfun Döşkaya has been appointed as General Coordinator at Via Hotel Istanbul and Via/Port Convention & Expo Center.

Figen Çaglar

* Okan Karadağ has been appointed as General Manager to Mia Pera; the new business hotel of Istanbul’s historical Pera district.

Gülseren Vatansever

* Recep Özdemir named General Manager of Crowne Plaza Istanbul - Old City. * Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul appointed Figen Çağlar as Sales and Marketing Director.

Murat Oldaç

* After 15 years at the BW The President Hotel in Istanbul,

Meral Ozcelik

Gülseren Vatansever appointed as General Manager of the hotel. * Emrah Gültekin has been appointed as General Manager of Varan Tourism. * Başak Erel has been appointed to Rixos Hotels as Senior Vice President. * Tijen Günyol Dilber has been appointed to Martı Hotels as Assistant Tayfun Doskaya

General Manager responsible from Sales and Marketing.

Yalçın Aydın

* Can Girgin has been appointed Magic Life Marmaris as General Manager. * Turkey’s first and newest hotel; Double Tree By Hilton Hotel Moda appointed Yalçın Aydın as General Manager. * Doubletree by Hilton İstanbul-Moda appointed Hülya Akgün as Business

Hulya Akgun

Development Director. * Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International appointed Asaad Farag as Director

Okan Karadag

of Operations. * Günaç Gürkaynak has been appointed to Green Park Pendik as General Manager. * Berna Erdoğan has been appointed Sales Manager to Kaya Izmir Thermal & Asaad Farag

Recep Özdemir

Spa Hotel which will open in August 2010. * Murat Oldaç has been appointed to Divan Group as the Cluster Resident Manager for Divan Istanbul Hotel and Divan Istanbul City Hotel. * Mete Üsküdarli named Revenue & PR Manager at A’jia Hotel. * Levent Topçuoğlu has been appointed Bursa Çelik Palas as General Manager.

Basak Erel

Tijen G. Dilber

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September’2010

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Fame & Game

Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix Boosts Istanbul Tourism Istanbul hosted the 7th leg of Formula 1 races at Istanbul Park between 28-30 May. Lewis Hamilton has won the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix, ahead of his teammate Jenson Buton This year’s race drew more interest compared to previous years. According to Istanbul Park General Manager Bülent Özerdim, ticket sales for 2010 surpassed last two years’ sales. Ticket sales for 2010 are increased 33 percent compared to last year’s ticket sale. Ticket sales reached one hundred thousand in 2010. Mr. Özerdim also mentioned that twenty five thousand F1 fans came from abroad; 7 thousand of them came together with the sponsors and racing teams. VIP guests had chance to see Istanbul with private tours in and around Istanbul. Some celebrities came to Istanbul with their private jets or yachts. Celebrities reached Istanbul Park using land and air transportation; 75 helicopters landed Istanbul Park this year. Special seating areas and lounges at the Istanbul Park were full in this year’s race.

During the Formula 1 weekend, the races helped Istanbul hotels to reach 100 percent occupancy levels on both European and Asian side of the city.

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This year’s race was a very special one for Ferrari, as it was the Italian team’s 800th Grand Prix. In order to celebrate reaching to such a momentous milestone, a special commemorative logo was placed on the engine covers of both F10s for the duration of the Istanbul Park event. “Eight hundred Grands Prix represents a milestone in the life of Ferrari, which fills us with satisfaction and pride,” said Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo.

Prior to the races, on May 26 at Galatasaray’s Ali Sami Yen stadium, Formula 1 Football Fest is organized by Turkish Automobile Sports Federation and Nazionale Pilotti. Formula 1 drivers’ team and Turkish celebrities’ team played a football match where the income is donated to UNICEF Turkey Committee and Turkish children’s foundation “Türkiye Korunmaya Muhtac Cocuklar Vakfi”.

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Meet at Exhibition

Tracing Istanbul A collective art exhibition “Tracing Istanbul”, which coincides with the announcement of Istanbul as the European Capital of Culture for 2010, represents a leading cultural event. The exhibition will be hosted at the Sismanoglio Megaro from 28 August to 23 September and at the Holy Theological School of Halki, from 29 August until 20 September. The event comes to life through the invaluable hospitality of the Holy Theological School of Halki, the Consulate General of Greece in Istanbul and the Cultural Organisation of the Municipality of Athens ‘Technopolis’. The organisation of the exhibition is implemented by the company White Fox S.A and curated by art historian Iris Kritikou.

In specially designated areas in Halki and ‘Technopolis’ of the City of Athens the documentary “Tracing Istanbul’, will be showcased for the very first time; the documentary is a production by Anastasia Manou.

The exhibition and documentary titled “Tracing Istanbul” is under the auspices of the UNESCO National Hellenic Commission since the event promotes the dissemination of cultural heritage and promotion of the arts.

“The mirror does not wrong me, and what it shows is fair.

On this earth to my beauty none other can compare” (Excerpt from an unpublished poem by Constantine Cavafy, Istanbul 1884) “Tracing Istanbul” is the title of a group art exhibition of Greek artists who, through their numerous expressive means, reveal the soul of the “city of a thousand faces”.

For the first time in thirty nine years, the Theological School of Halki, pivot of intellectuals, Ecumenical Patriarchs, clergymen, scientists and eminent hierarchs, hosts an art exhibition and is open daily for twenty days to accommodate the inspiration of renowned Greek artists. The exhibition will open Sunday, 29 August at 19.00, where the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will inaugurate it, after the Vespers at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Halki. The exhibition section in Halki is under the auspices of the municipality of the Princes’ Islands.

The exhibition, unfolds in parallel at Sismanoglio Megaro where it will be inaugurated on Saturday, August 28 at 19.00 by the Consul General of Greece in Istanbul, Mr Vassileios Bornovas. Sismanoglio Megaro is a historic building of the 19th century, close to Taksim Square which has developed in recent years into a cultural centre; and was donated by the Sismanoglou family; merchants in the Greek government over 70 years ago, In two openings are expected to attend Greek and Turkish artists and collectors, and representatives of local authorities, the spiritual and the business community in Istanbul.

The exhibition and documentary titled “Tracing Istanbul” is under the auspices of the UNESCO National Hellenic Commission since it appears that the event promotes the dissemination of cultural heritage and promotion of the arts.

With compass history, myths and legends, focusing on images, colors, smells, sounds, traces and symbols of Istanbul, the 101 participating artists highlight footage

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mythological, historical and everyday life.

The works of art, which at the vast majority have been created specifically for the exhibition, cover a wide range of artistic expression created by different generations and styles. Exhibited will be 101 artistic attempts at “narration” through painting, sculpture, construction, photography, video and hagiography. Distinct is the presence of younger artists, with works more conceptual and abstract, designed to inspire their archetypal filings of the culture of Istanbul.

This premier artistic event, that starting point of his journey is Istanbul and that coincides with the proclamation Istanbul as European Cultural Capital for 2010, will make a second stop in Athens in early October, and will be hosted on the premises of “Technopolis” of the City of Athens. The exhibition will be accompanied to Athens by the exhibits from Adalar Museum of the Princes Islands, which are related to geomorphology and history of the island of Halki.

The idea of the exhibition and the responsibility belongs to Anastasia Manou, CEO of White Fox, with scientific advisor Professor Dimitris Fotiadis.

The exhibition is curated by the art historian Iris Kritikou, who notes: The exhibition Tracing Istanbul, which is being held thanks to the valuable cooperation of the Holy Theological School of Halki, the Consulate General of Greece in Istanbul, and Technopolis – the Cultural Organisation of the Municipality of Athens, proposes the history, myths, legends, images, colours, scents, sounds, traces and symbols of the city as a fundamental starting point for creative inspiration to artists, the essence of the Polis, the City, which constitutes a unique palimpsest of history and memory, events and impressions, travels and encounters between various fascinating

cultures that coexisted for many centuries. The works, which were mostly created specifically for the exhibition, trace and read snapshots, whether mythological, historical, or everyday; recollections from antiquity; Byzantine memories; the lives of emperors and saints; dances of the whirling dervishes; romantic peregrinations by various travellers; handwritten notebooks and hand-drawn maps; latter-day souvenirs and historical photographs and relics; paradoxically familiar paintings by Melin and paradoxically familiar photographs by Ara Güler; everyday images of the City, its houses, its churches, its roads and coffee houses, its markets and coastline; while others are more conceptual and minimalist, whose inspiration is drawn from archetypal fragments of the City’s civilisation; the golden depths and fragments of mosaic; Byzantine and Islamic writing that encounters and crosses each other as languages in an ancient marketplace, tcomplex decorative and architectural motifs that were shaped through centuries of aesthetic exchanges and searching; bringing together in 101 narrative attempts, offering a prismatic spectrum of images, on a palimpsest canvas that charms the soul and carries the gaze away on a journey into perpetuity.

All of us who embarked on this journey with them, it will truly be unforgettable. “ Throughout the duration of the exhibition, in a specially designed space in Halki, the documentary “Tracing Istanbul ‘ will be showcased for the first time, production by Anastasia Manou, edited by the Monastery of St. Dionisios of Olympus, directed by Katerina Karagianni, and photography by Aristotelis Metaxas. The documentary is produced in four languages (Greek, Turkish, English and Russian) and is accessible and people with disabilities.

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Participating artists: Io Angeli, Nikos Angelides, Daphne Angelidou, John Adamakis Stelios Alexakis, Nikos Alexiou, Monk Anastasios, D. Andreadakis, Katerina Antachopoulou, Angelos Antonopoulos, Kalliopi Asargiotaki, Chryssa Vergi Alex Veroukas, Erietta Vordoni, Marios Voutsinas, Andreas Georgiades, Savvas Georgiades , Kostis Georgiou, Efstathios Yannis, Constantine Giotakis, Penny Geka, Irene Gonou Charalambos Dermatis, Tanya Dimitrakopoulou Zacharioudakis Manolis, Irene Iliopoulos, Evangelos Theodoridis, Philip Theodoridis, Alexandra Isakidi, Marcos Kambanis, Tina Karageorgis, Dimitris Katsigiannis Theophilos Katsipanos Kostas Kerestetzis Andreas Kontellis, Lida Kontogiannopoulou George Kordas, Despina Kouvatsou, Spyros Kritikos, Grigoris Lagos, Panagiotis Lambrinidis, John Lasithiotakis, Aphrodite Liti, Alexander Magkaniotis, Michael Madenis Thanasis Makris, Kallirhoe Marouda, Alina Matsa, Stella Meletopoulou Dimitris Merantzas, John Mitrakos, Kyriakos Mortarakos Nikos Moschos, Timos Batinakis, John Bekiaris, Bekiaris Chariton, Panos Beldekos, Xenophon Bitsikas, Anna BiIly, Manolis Mpitsakos, John Bournias, Vana Xenos, Dimitris Xonoglou, Chris Pallantzas, Miltos Pantelis, Apostolos Papageorgiou, Angelos Papadimitriou Elena Papadimitriou Maria Papadimitriou, Christos Papanikolaou, Kostas Pappas, Panayiotis Pasantas Vassilis Perros, Natasa Poulantzas, Elianna Prokopios Paul Samios, Dimitris Sarasitis, Chris Simatos, Dimitris Skourogiannis, Evgenios Spatharis, Marios Spiliopoulos, Anthony Staveris, Marina Stellatou, Nick Stephenou Aris Stoidis Nikos Stratakis, Panagiotis Tanimanidis, Panagiotis Tetsis, Praxitelis Tzanoulinos Maria Toxavidi, Panayiotis Tountas Maria Tsagari, Vicky Tsalamata George Tserionis, Alekos Pheasant, Maria Filopoulos George Hadoulis, Hampidis Pavlos Apostolos Xantzaras, Markos Hadjipateras, Achilleas Christidis.

Duration:

Istanbul: 28 August to 23 September 2010 Hours: Sismanoglio Megaro: 12.00-20.00, tel 0090 541 4047 843 Theological School of Halki: 10.00-18.00, tel 0090 541 4047 917 www.tracingistanbul.com City of Athens ‘Technopolis’: 4-31 October 2010

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Fly & Sail

55 Yachts raced at The 5th International Aegean Yacht Rally

T

he 5th International Aegean Yacht Rally organized by Setur Marinas in order to present Aegean Sea to the yachtsmen from all over the world and support yachting and sailing in Aegean waters set sail 18 - 30 July 2010.

The Aegean Yacht Rally targets to develop friendship and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries of the Aegean Sea; Greece and Turkey.

The first Aegean Yacht Rally was organised in July 2000 and traditionally been organised every two years since then. During the International Aegean Yacht Rallies organised in 2000,

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2003, 2005 & 2007, more than 1000 yachtsmen from 20 different countries visited Samos, Chios, Lesvos, Limnos, Kos, Leros, Skopelos, Skiathos, Thasos Islands and Kavala, Volos and Porto Carras Ports by covering 2250 nautical miles.

The 5th International Aegean Yacht Rally started from Setur Kusadasi Marina. Following, the Rally Fleet visited Samos, Leros, Simi and Rhodes islands and the rally ended in Marmaris Netsel Marina on July 30th. This year’s rally was attended by 55 yachts.

Participants include CEO of Japan’s Mitsui Holding, Rahmi Koç from Koç Holding and from the Netherlands, UK, Greece, and Turkey.

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Türkiye Açıkdeniz Yarış Kulübü

The first offshore yacht race of the season

DenizBank Marmara Cup

I

In the sponsorship of DenizBank, one of the pioneering institutions that financially supports the development of Turkish seamanship, the “DenizBank Marmara Cup” yacht race organized by the Turkish Offshore Racing Club (TORC) was held between 12-13 June 2010. Participant boats were in an intense competition in the race track between Istanbul Ataköy Marina and Asmalıada, close to Marmara Island.

The most prestigious yacht trophy of Turkey, DenizBank-TORC Trophy began with Fahir Çelikbaş Cup I race held on March 27, 2010, and within the scope of the trophy, 5 races have been organized until the Marmara Cup. A total of 30 yachts participated in the “DenizBank Marmara Cup”, which is the first offshore race of the season, and which has been held for the 35th time this year. The winners of the most important offshore race in Marmara Sea were Hasip Gencer/L.Özonur and team in IRC I class, GOBLİN-Aydın Yurdum and team in IRC II class, and PASSION ONE-Ergin Kargalıoğlu and team in IRC III class.

“Fair play triumphed” Commenting on the DenizBank Marmara Cup, the CEO of DenizBank Financial Services Group Hakan Ateş said, “The spirit of yacht sport possesses struggle, fight against difficulties, team work and joint mind. All these concepts overlap with DenizBank corporate values. I sincerely congratulate all sailors who attended this race”. TORC Commodore Serdar Kısadere said, “The race that was completed in a track of 113 nautical miles in 4 different categories, was realized in a rather non windy weather. The yachts that reached Marmara Island with the wind that blew with the strength of 3-5 nautical miles from west/southwest on Saturday, had more difficulties on their way back. The north-east wind at five o’clock helped the 6 boats that were still aboard in the evening, and they finished the race with a nice wind accompanying them”.

One of the most important offshore races has been named after DenizBank with the “DenizBank Marmara Cup”. Within the framework of DenizBank’s TORC sponsorship, all races in the TORC trophy are named as “DenizBank – TORC Trophy Yacht Races”.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

September’2010

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Fly & Sail

MARINTURK İstanbul City Port Cup

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he first race organization of a Turkish marina named MARINTURK İstanbul City Port Cup MYK / UNO yacht race, was held May 29 – 30 in İstanbul. Totally 18 yacht from all yachting categories raced in Marmara and UNO, Mistik, Passion One, Zig Zag, Ecemiz Wings and My Luck were winners in each category.

Marinturk Gocek Exclusive Marina Gocek Exclusive is situated in Poruklu Bay which is 10 minutes far from Gocek center, a town of Fethiye district in Mugla. It is 20 minutes far from International Dalaman

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Airport and the only natural beach in Gocek town is located in this bay. Our marina is established to accommodate mega yachts and meets the current need of mooring places for these yachts. As our marina is in a secluded bay, the most protected area of Gocek, it is considerably convenient for mooring. We give service to 18 meters and above yachts according to modern management norms along with floating docks manufactured in terms of comfort as much as technogical innovations.

Yacht owners will be spending time on their own specially designed covered “floating verandas” and take advantage of “cafe

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bistro” units on the pontoon throughout their stay in the marina.

Lifting & launching and all the necessary wintering services are provided through the requests of the yacht owners at “Marinturk Göcek Village Port” boatyard area under the same management. The maintenance works are provided with highly distinguished and experinced subcontractor companies in boatyard area.

Our marina is at your service all the time with its experienced staff that all communication and intercommunication facilities are provided in an ‘exclusive’ manner.

28º 55’ 42’’ E, 36º 45’ 34’’ N

Meet & Eat

Turkish Wine Scoops Medals at London

International

Wine Fair 2010

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urkish wines promoted by Wines of Turkey, the umbrella organisation representing the Turkish wine sector, scored a coup at the London International Wine Fair (LIWF) when they scooped numerous medals and awards in both the International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2010, the world’s most prestigious and influential independent wine competition and the Decanter World Wine Awards 2010.

Thirty-nine Turkish wines were entered into the IWC 2010 with a 72% award rate: 13% of the wines were awarded a silver medal, 18% a bronze and 41% were commended. The silver medals were taken by Kavaklidere’s Pendore Syrah 2008, Ancyra Syrah 2009, Prestige Bogazkere 2004 and Tatli Sert Beyaz 1999 and Likya’s Arykanda Cabernet Sauvignon 2008.

In the Decanter World Wine Awards 2010, the largest international consumer wine competition which had a record high of almost 11,000 entries this year, Kavaklidere’s Tatli Sert Narince 1999 from Central Anatolia was awarded a silver medal. A number of bronze medals and commendations were also awarded to wines from across Turkey mostly of the Kavaklidere brand, but also the Likya, Kayra and Pamukkale wineries.

Activities at the LIWF also included the first-ever expert-led tastings of the best of Turkish wine with celebrity wine critics Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin MW, Charles Metcalfe and Susan Hulme MW fresh after their visit to Turkey in March. The quality and variety of Turkey’s indigenous grapes were sampled including (from whites) Emir and Narince, (and from reds) Okuzgozu, Bogazkere and Kalecik Karasi. Tasters were taken on a journey through Turkey, from the fertile grounds of the Thrace and Aegean regions to the grapes that grow in fairy-chimney surrounded vineyards of Cappadocia and the harsher climates of South-eastern Turkey. Participating wineries at the LIWF were Doluca, Kavaklidere, Kayra, Idol, Likya, Sevilen & Vinkara.

Commenting on Turkish wines Oz Clarke said: “Some of the most exciting Turkish native grapes are the scented but muscular reds, Okuzgozu and Bogazkere which come from the vineyards in the East and are made into sophisticated fascinatingly

different wines back in cosmopolitan Turkey to the west; whilst the vineyards of Cappadocia are awe-inspiring because of their age and history. Turkish wine is a very indeed an exciting new world for us all.” Wine critic Tim Atkin MW also said “Turkish wines are enjoying a timely revival. This historic, but little known wine-producing country has an exciting range of indigenous varieties that deserve to reach a wider audience. I am very impressed by the quality of the best wines, several of which won medals at this year’s International Wine Challenge.”

Taner Ogutoglu, director of Wines of Turkey, said: “We are delighted with the reception that Turkish wines met with at the London International Wine Fair. We are of course especially thrilled by the awards bestowed by the IWC and Decanter World Wine Awards, confirming that Turkish wines have an important place in the international arena. We saw a very positive response by tasters many of whom expressed surprise and delight at the variety and quality of Turkish wine on offer, reflecting the fact that wine production in Turkey has seen phenomenal development over the last 10 years with major improvements in winemaking techniques and, subsequently, quality.”

A selection of Turkish wines are available to purchase across the UK, including at world-renowned restaurants L’Etranger, The Fat Duck, Hakkasan and a host of Turkish and Mediterranean restaurants and supermarkets nationwide.

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Meet at Imex

Tourism Industry Experienced a Stronger IMEX IMEX 2010 held 25-27 May at Messe Frankfurt. This year’s event was more satisfactory for participants.

Travel industry representatives that attended the event were mostly happy for the 2010th edition of the show.

Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) attended the 8th edition of meeting and incentive industry’s leading exhibition;

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IMEX-Frankfurt between 25 and 27 May. A record number of well over 3800 hosted buyers from more than 60 markets attended this year’s show, among a visitor total of nearly 9000.

Individual and group appointments rose by 14% this year, which represents a total of 57,000 business appointments made between buyers and exhibitors before and during the show. The number of diary messages exchanged before and during IMEX increased by 9% to over 12,000.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

September’2010

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Meet at a Historical Hotel

Historical Pera Palace Hotel reopens with Legendary Grandeur stanbul’s historical Pera Palace Hotel, which hosted a wide range of luminaries, celebrities, politicians, and heads of state, announced the reopening on September 1st, 2010.

The reopening comes after an extensive two years, 23 million euro restoration project. The hotel features 115 rooms including 16 suites named after the hotel’s most illustrious guests and retains the original grandeur of the property whilst offering luxurious facilities true to a 21st century destination hotel experience.

Located in the cosmopolitan Tepebaşı district of Pera, Pera Palace Hotel overlooks the Golden Horn. Establishment work of the hotel began in 1892 and its grand opening ball was held in 1895. Pera Palace Hotel is the first luxury hotel in the Ottoman Empire, providing the last destination stop in the East for passengers onboard The Orient Express.

Designed by the Istanbul resident Alexander Vallaury, the hotel integrates Neo-classical, Art Nouveau, and Oriental architecture styles. Pera Palace Hotel has achieved iconic status not only for its pioneering techniques; it was the first building in Istanbul other than Ottoman palaces to offer electricity, hot running water and an elevator crafted out of cast iron and wood, but also for being a symbol of urban culture in Istanbul.

The hotel has borne witness to many historical events such as both World Wars, the occupation of Istanbul, the Turkish War of Independence and the founding of the Turkish Republic. The hotel hosted leader and founder of Turkish Republic; Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, author Agatha Christie, who found her inspiration for “Murder on the Orient Express” within the walls of the Pera Palace Hotel, the Emperor of Austria - Hungary Franz Joseph, King Edward VIII, Greta Garbo, Pierre Loti, Ernest Hemingway and many other wellknown luminaries.

The room 101 will continue to serve as the Atatürk Museum room which can be visited during visiting hours.

Pera Palace returns offering a luxury hotel steeped in history with an impressive choice of restaurants and bars. The French style Patisserie de Pera will offer freshly ground coffee and croissants in the morning, while the Kubbeli Saloon Tea Lounge reopens for afternoon tea with live piano music. The Agatha restaurant will serve a fusion of French, Italian, and Turkish specialties as a tribute to the three major stops of the former Orient Express.

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The hotel also offers business society with its sunlit traditional style meeting rooms and a further modern meeting room which can be divided into three sections.

The 380sqm Pera Spa features a traditional Turkish Hammam, steam bath, Jacuzzi, sauna, and treatment rooms. An indoor swimming pool with jet stream and fully equipped fitness center is also available for guests of the hotel.

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Meet at Festival

Antalya to host 47th Golden Orange Film Festival

ntalya Golden Orange Film Festival organized a press conference and cocktail party at Esma Sultan Yalisi (Mansion) in İstanbul.

The festival, organized by the Antalya Foundation for Culture and Arts with the support of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, is scheduled to take place from October 9 to 14, 2010 Chairman of the Foundation of Culture and Arts in Antalya, City Mayor Prof. Dr. Mustafa Akaydın said they put a lot of effort to promote the festival among locals. The jury of National Feature Film Competition includes Serbian director Emir Kusturica, known with his ‘The Time of the Gypsies’, ‘Underground’ and ‘Arizona Dream’, director Megan Milan known for her academy award winning ‘Smile Pink’ and Serge Avedıkıan, winner of Cannes film festival filmmaker are in the golden orange jury. Famous Turkish actor Kadir Inanır will chair the jury. Film critique Atilla Dorsay and actress Meltem Cumbul are also in the jury.

A total of 620,000 Turkish Liras would be given to films competing in 14 branches, and the best film would be awarded with 330,000 liras. Moreover, a new award would also be given to the best film and if the producer of this film shoots at least 15 percent of his new film in Antalya in the next two years after receiving the award, he will be given additional 70,000-lira as Antalya Encouragement Award.

Serbian director Emir Kusturica’s film, “Maradona by Kusturica,” would be shown at the festival, and they had invited former Argentine coach and football demigod Diego Maradona to Antalya for the special screening.

‘Lifetime achievement honor’ awards will be presented this year to screenwriter Safa Önal, Director director and secreenwriter Ertem Göreç, and actors Nur Sürer, Gülşen Bubikoğlu, Metin Akpınar and Zeki Alasya. This year’s “Cinema Labor Award” would be presented to Necmettin Çobanoğlu while famous theater actress Yıldız Kenter would be given the “Yıldırım Önal Memory Award.”

As part of social responsibility and awareness projects, the Tomurcuk Percussion Group, which is made up of children with disabilities, was invited to the festival.

The festival will feature a comprehensive film program as well as film competitions, workshops and screenings in different spots around the region.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

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Cover Story

Gungormez Pass

Eastern Black Sea

Tourism Master Plan

By Kate Clow

O

n 7th August, the great and good of the Turkish establishment were gathered in the new Ridos Spa hotel in the Ikizdere valley just west of Rize, for the fifth meeting of the planning group for the master plan.

Present were several ministers, including Mehmet Şimşek of the Maliye Bakanlık, who will presumably provide the money, and Ertuğrul Guray, the Culture and Tourism Minister, who will spend it. Notable by his absence, considering that the area contains several of Turkey’s most important National Parks, was Veysel Eroğlu, the Minister of Environment and

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Forestry (which includes National Parks and the DSI, State Water Works). Representation of this Ministry was limited to Mahır Küçük, the assistant undersecretary, and Ahmet Özyanık, head of EPASA, the agency for the Environmental Protection of Special Areas, which has until now concerned itself mainly with coastal planning in the south and west.

The audience included the local mayors, the press and a few political representatives. It should have included the representatives of local and national NGO’s, but they were notable by their absence. Were they invited?

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Tourism planning professionals.

contractors for the construction of hydro-electric power by means of a mix of tunnels and smaller dams.

The meeting was chaired by Nusret Now it is to be developed for tourism.

Bayraktar (ex-resident of Ardeşen), who The importance of this project in succeeded Kadir Topbaş (now Mayor government eyes is shown by the of Istanbul and also an ex-resident of ‘big names’ leading the planning this area) and the planning process is process. The Vali of Rize, Seyfullah being run by the Bayındırlık (or public Hacimuftuoğlu, who is from Trabzon, works) Ministry with the planning recently served as undersecretary firm Barlas AŞ. led by Turan Barlas as of the Prime Minister’s office, and consultants. All these individuals are Member of Parliament Dr Bülent heavily connected with city planning, Gedikli, who also left Trabzon for the especially in Istanbul. Does this qualify world of finance, is now part of the them for tourism planning in an area senior management of the AK Party. of extreme natural sensitivity? On Has the government suddenly realised their committee are 8 members of that there is an election soon and Parliament, the Valis of the provinces that the people of these provinces are affected by the plan, but not a single unhappy? botanist, environmental engineer or tourism planning professional. Does the Yes to Tourism, No to HES North-East not warrant recruiting the To reach the meeting, guests had to best that Turkey has to offer? drive through the Ikizdere valley, which

What will this planning process do for the people of the North-East?

North-east Turkey has already been carved up by the DSI to provide uneconomical electricity by means of huge dams of a scale only currently seen in China. Other sections of rivers have been leased out to private

has been carved up by HES (hydroelectric station) works. The rocks of the valley have been tunnelled to divert water into power stations and the resulting debris has been used to raise the land around the river and construct a mighty 4-lane road. These north-eastern

rivers often flood, and raising the banks may be a good idea. Ali Bayraktar, road constructor, was anxious that a 14km tunnel under Ovit Dağı would be included in the Tourism Plan.

Where would the debris from this tunnel go? The existing road over Ovit Dağı, one of the most beautiful passes in the region, allows botanists and birdwatchers access to rare species which flourish above the treeline – tourism doesn’t require a tunnel. But, continue over the Ovit Dağı pass, and tourists reach the Çoruh valley, with its 92 endemic plant species, which is being systematically destroyed by dambuilding. The guests did not realise this.

Maybe they accepted the assurance that once the HES and dam works were finished, the valleys would be restored to perfection. But a poster outside the hotel read: Yes to Tourism, No to HES. In this edition of Meeturkey, we present our own ideas on what the government could do to conserve nature (without which yayla tourism could not exist), plan for proper tourism development of the area and win over the hearts and minds of local people.

On their committee are 8 members of Parliament, the Valis of the provinces affected by the plan, but not a single botanist, environmental engineer or tourism professional.

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Cover Story

Back to first principles

travellers’ choice of destination, or sentiment in the host country (eg.

Mavi Marmara incident affected Israeli willingness to visit Turkey and Turkish willingness to host Israelis) International tourism is principally - willingness of the private sector an exchange of services for money to invest in tourism as opposed to between people of different other investment opportunities (eg. nationalities. It is a desirable mobile phones or mining might be exchange for host countries as less risky or more profitable) it brings in foreign exchange, - physical factors (eg. the Icelandic which enables payment of debts volcanic eruption) and exchange of goods and other - climate change (with effects such services. While governments can as the fires in Russia or floods in regulate this exchange, many factors Pakistan or damage to our own are beyond their control. ecology) These factors include: - depletion of world oil resources - relative exchange rates (fall of the (rise in price of oil raising fuel costs dollar, rise of the lira) and air-fares) - rises and falls in average income In addition there are factors which in visitors’ home countries (credit may be under general Government crunch) control but not under the control of - public opinion factors influencing the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

These include: - Physical damage that would discourage tourism (eg. that resulting from construction of dams on the Çoruh) - Health provision and control of outbreaks of infectious diseases (eg. SARS) - Availability and condition of transport facilities (eg. provision and condition of airports, roads, fuel, etc) - Law enforcement (eg. control of theft, road accidents, drug use, etc; reputation of the police force) - Regulation of building, waste disposal, clean water, etc.

Is the National Tourism Plan enough?

In 2007, the Tourism Ministry developed a Master Tourism Plan which, although dependent on so many outside factors beyond its control, was designed to last until 2023.

The Government has now decided to involve many other government departments in the implementation of the East Black Sea Region part of the plan. Presumably this was meant to regulate the factors under general government control; the effect has been disastrous. Already the plan has turned from an effort to

encourage tourism to a plan to build more roads.

The development of the plan is to be under the management of a commission consisting or representatives from 8 Ministries, 8 Governors, 8 MP’s, mayors of 8 cities from the relevant provinces. People missing from the commission include: - representatives of the private Tourism sector - representatives of NGO’s who are working in the area, and who have implemented various tourism plans - representatives of National Parks, even though there are 4 parks in the region - Eco-Tourism specialists, botanists, ecologists, etc. even though most of tourism in the area is nature-based - Representatives of universities offering tourism education - Experts on tourism planning in National Parks (Turkey may not have professionals experienced in international methodologies) - Experts on analysis of world-wide tourism trends (the ministry appears to base its analysis on WTO reports, which are notoriously

optimistic) The implementation is thus about to be carried out on the assumption that the Tourism Ministry 2023 development plan for the region was the best choice. Since this plan was made in 2007, no further data about world, national or local trends has been incorporated into it. The plan does not set out a methodology for achieving the results it envisages.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

In this edition of MeeTurkey, we present our own ideas on what the government could do to conserve nature (without which yayla tourism could not exist), plan for proper tourism development of the area and win over the hearts and minds of local people.

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Cover Story

Will Turkish money be wasted?

The Government of Turkey is about to make a huge investment in regional infrastructure without knowing if it will achieve the results it wants. Since the capital (billions of dollars) it proposes to spend on roads, tunnels, ports, airports, etc, belongs to the Turkish voter and taxpayer, it ‘s worth reconsidering first principles before it is spent.

To eliminate expensive risks, these actions are required: - review of long-term market trends – who are the potential customers, what do they want, how much can they pay, what risk factors are there? consider ation of other research beside WTO papers.

- examination of the boundaries of the area to see if they are

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

logical. The region’s boundaries have already been changed once to incorporate more provinces; they shoud certainly be changed to include İspir ilçe and probably Ardahan province.

- review of all statistics and documentation on the area (including foreign publications such as the Lonely Planet and web sites such as Turkey Travel Planner) and commissioning of some more reporting on existing customer needs and satisfaction - review of private sector needs and opinion, through TURSAB and local tourism societies - review of the current infrastructure (roads, airports, hotels, etc) to determine seasonal capacity and use - review of current profitability (income against expenditure) to determine if pricing is reasonable; review of competitors’ product pricing to determine if prices can be raised - examination of possible new products and their use in other countries - consultation between all the official bodies which would be involved in implementing the plan to see if they have the resources and will to work together. If necessary, changing the boundaries of relevant bodies – eg. the Koruma Kurulu and local National Park management should cover the whole area; waste disposal, emergency planning, building controls need to be under one management for the whole region.

Branding and Marketing Some serious questions have not been asked or answered. Who are our competitors and what are they doing? Turkey’s eco-tourism competitors are far more sophisticated than us and we have a lot to learn from them. The EU would like to share their knowledge with us. This may take a bit longer but will result in a better product sold at higher prices.

What are we trying to sell? What image will we apply? Do we need more than one image (for different markets or products or seasons) and how do we differentiate? How will we develop from the current regional image to the one(s) we want? How will we work with the private sector to ensure we all project the same image?

How will we market the region? A well-developed marketing strategy will show up many deficiencies in the plan. It will compare our product to others already in the market place and show us what factors we have to beat to become truly competitive.

Examination of the boundaries of the area to see if they are logical is a MUST. The region’s boundaries have already been changed once to incorporate more provinces; they shoud certainly be changed to include İspir ilçe and probably Ardahan province.

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Cover Story

Unlike Antalya, the mountains of the Black Sea are rated in the top 25 natural hotspots of the world. This is a fragile environment.

With uncontrolled and uneconomic (although not unprofitable for the private sector) dam-building, the DSI has already done its best to destroy it .

Terrible result.

Unless we bring in the right expertise and critically review the Tourism Plan, I can predict a terrible result for the East Black Sea. We have already experienced planning disasters in South West Turkey. There, over-development and lack of marketing strategy resulted in waves of different nationalities at steadily eroding prices and advancing

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environmental damage. First came the Germans – we ended up with rockbottom prices and a poor reputation in Europe. Then the Russians – at first the mafia millionaires, now the cheaper end of the market. Then the Turks, who do not bring in any foreign currency, but fill empty hotels.

Unlike the South-West, the mountains of the Black Sea are rated in the top 25

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

natural hotspots of the world. This is a fragile environment. With uncontrolled and uneconomic (although profitable for the private sector) dam-building, the DSI has already done its best to destroy it . We cannot afford to let tourism finish it off. The Governor of Rize, an instigator of this project, said at the conference: ‘If we upset nature, we lose it all’.

News Line World

The Food and Hotelier Expo 2010 From 5th - 7th August 2010, visitors came from far and wide for the much anticipated 4th edition of the Pattaya Food & Hotelier Expo which took place at the famous Royal Cliff Beach Resort, home of the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall - PEACH. The grand opening ceremony of this prestigious event was chaired by Mr Wittaya Khunpluem, who is the Provincial Administration President.

Many VIP officials attended the opening including the Pattaya City Mayor and Mr. Nunthaphong Wongdao; the President of the Pattaya Food & Beverage Association.

This years Expo was aimed to promote

the improvement of professional hospitality standards of service throughout Pattaya and the Eastern region. The event featured a range of on-stage demonstrations with high-status competitions and workshops wherein business men, women and employees from all types of the hospitality industry came to showcase their products, styles and developments.

The outstanding reputation of the Royal Cliff name was mirrored in these competitions after they became triumphant winners of four events and runners up of a further two during the expo. Food and Beverage staff took first place in the Plated Desert, Free Style Fruit Carving and the Free Style Vegetable

ITB Asia 2010 Attracts 30% New Exhibitors

ITB Asia has returned quickly to strong growth with floor space sales up markedly compared to same time last year. Over 30% of exhibitors are new participants at the show which is in its third year. Guangdong Tourism Authority, Bhutan Department of Tourism, the Moscow Exhibition and Convention Agency and Israel will exhibit their destinations for the first time at ITB Asia, which takes place 20-22 October at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre. From the private sector, the Chilean carrier LAN Airlines and the Small Luxury Hotels of the World have joined for the first time, along with travel companies from Kenya, Uzbekistan and Armenia.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has more than doubled its floor space and the Czech Tourist Authority, Sentosa Leisure Group, Frasers Hospitality, Fairmont Raffles Swissotel, Furama Hotels International Management, the Nepal Tourism Board, and the German Tourism Board (DZT) have all booked larger floor space this year.

“ITB Asia is unique compared to other travel shows because we present such a diversity of global travel products to Asian buyers,” says Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia. “There’s no other show in Asia where travel buyers convene so easily to find out about the new products and travel experiences available in wonderfully diverse destinations such as Chile, Armenia, Kenya and Uzbekistan. These are just the tip of the iceberg.”

Buyers at ITB Asia 2010 will be able to meet exhibitors who attended in 2008 but missed last year’s show: Bali Village, Eastin Hotel Petaling Jaya, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts -

Asia, Sol Melia Hotels and Resorts, First House Samui Hotel and Resort, the Turkish Embassy Tourism and Information Office, Vietnam Pathfinder Travel, Grande Centre Point Hotel and Residence (Thailand), Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa (Malaysia) and Samode Hotels (India) are all returning this year. Gruettke added: “ITB Asia is on track to attract about 650 exhibiting organisations this year. We expect around 21,000 buyer-seller meetings.”

ITB Asia and the Web In Travel technology, marketing and distribution conference that takes place simultaneously in partnership with ITB Asia, has attracted over 90 speakers who will deliver over 2,280 minutes of analysis and insights on new travel industry trends. Speakers at Web In Travel include investor Morten Lund who has co-founded and invested in more than 50 high-tech start-ups including Skype and online stockbroker Zecco; Adrian Hamilton-Manns, CEO of Mandala Airlines in Indonesia; Cui Guang Fu, CEO, Elong, China; Gerry Samuels, CEO, Mobile Travel Technologies, UK; Hrush Bhatt, founder and director of Cleartrip/Small World in India; Marc Charron, managing director of TripAdvisor APAC;, Singapore; and William Bao Bean, partner, Softbank China & India Holdings., China.

Special price tickets are available for delegates attending both ITB Asia and Web in Travel. For information and to book visit http://www.webintravel.com/ conf_2010_registration.php Exhibitors who wish to find out more about ITB Asia, can email: itbasia@messe-berlin. com. Or visit www.itb-asia.com/ exhibitors. Messe Berlin (Singapore) positions ITB Asia as “The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market.”

The company is a subsidiary of Messe Berlin, which has organized ITB Berlin for 44 years. n

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Competitions; whereas the Housekeeping team took the number one spot for the Professional Bed Making Competition as well as becoming the overall winners for their consistent five star performances during the 3 day event.

Together with the dynamic facilities, perfect location, and award winning reputation, the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall - PEACH proved vastly successful with the Food and Hoteliers Expo ‘10. PEACH’s flexibility and the beautiful five star establishment enables you to host any type of event, from world class conventions, meeting and exhibitions, to concerts, weddings and birthday parties. n

Another Successful Win for the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and PEACH

Once again, the world famous Royal Cliff Beach Resort has been rewarded for their ongoing efforts to keep a cleaner, greener environment.

Delegates from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment congratulated Ms Srisakun Footrakul, Director of Business Development from the Royal Cliff and PEACH with the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) Monitoring Award 2009 in recognition for their exceptional environmental management practices.

The appreciation goes back to the year 2000 when the Royal Cliff Beach Resort won this outstanding ecological award, and then again in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and of course, 2009. To date, the Royal Cliff Beach resort together with Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall has received a staggering 92 awards for various achievements in the hospitality industry from renowned national and international organizations.

This multi award winning resort is situated between Jomtien and Pattaya. Only 75 minutes from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the Royal Cliff a perfect getaway from the city for a family holiday, an escape with friends, or a the ultimate romantic getaway. n

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News Line World

Beijing to Host PATA’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) will be the host of PATA’s 60th Anniversary and Conference in Beijing from April 9-12, 2011.

To be held at the China World Hotel, the celebratory event will be the focal point of a series of anniversary activities commencing from this year’s PATA Travel Mart (PTM) and continuing through 2011.

Said Zhu Shanzhong, Vice Chairman, CNTA: “We are looking forward to working with PATA for a successful conference.”

Taking the theme ‘Building Tourism: Past.

Present. Progressive’, the anniversary activities will reflect on PATA’s past, highlight its present and make strides towards a progressive future.

Said Hiran Cooray, chairman, PATA: “With 60-years of history behind us, we want to take the opportunity to recall the contribution PATA has made to Asia Pacific tourism, while also looking ahead to consider what role PATA will play in the years to come. We are very appreciative of CNTA’s support during one of the grandest events in PATA’s history.”

Since its 1951 inception in Hawaii, PATA has grown from a group of like-minded travel professionals seeking to realise the potential of tourism in the Pacific region, to a global association representing the interests of the ever-growing, ever-exciting Pacific Asia tourism industry.

“Contributing to the sustainable development and success of the travel-andtourism industry in both the Pacific as well as Asia, PATA has become the voice and authority on tourism in the region,” added Cooray.

The first of the anniversary activities to get underway, PATA’s ‘Face of the Future’ is an annual campaign which spotlights an individual who has worked to change or advance travel-and-tourism in the Asia Pacific. This year, to coincide with the 60th anniversary celebrations, ‘Face of the Future’ is being brought to the forefront by putting the power of the vote into the hands of its members.

Submissions for the campaign are already being accepted and voting will commence with the launch of a dedicated URL, www.

PATA.org/PATA60, at PTM, which this year will be held at the Venetian Macao-ResortHotel, Macao, from September 14-17.

This sub-section of the main PATA site will become a one-stop information source for all 60th anniversary related activities and events. It will even include an online photography exhibition which, grouped by decade, will chart key people and events in PATA’s history.

Memories are also the theme of ‘My PATA My Story’, a commemorative book of stories about the travel industry over the past 60-years written by PATA lifetime and honoured members.

Not forgetting the ‘progressive’ element, ‘Tomorrow’s Tourism Competition’ will ask tourism students at educational institutions around the region to contribute their ideas about how we can create a more sustainable future for our industry.

Undoubtedly, one of the big themes of the future will be green tourism. This is at the heart of the ‘Zero Footprint Challenge’, a competition which will launch at the anniversary celebrations in Beijing, and seeks to highlight examples of tourism organisations who take their environmental responsibilities seriously.

All our Chapters have an inspiring and motivating role to play in the 60th anniversary celebrations, as they drive these events ahead. They will be responsible for nominating aspiring leaders from the tourism sector and in nurturing young, upcoming talent in their regions.

The next 15-months will also see a number of PATA events and meetings, starting with PTM 2010 at the Venetian MacaoResort-Hotel from September 14-17. Other highlights for 2011 include: the Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart in Nepal, February 07-11; the PATA Executive Board Meeting in Hawaii, February 18-19; the 60th Anniversary and Conference in Beijing, April 09-12; the PTM 2011 in New Delhi, September 06-09 and the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference in Darwin, Australia on the September 27-30. n

EIBTM & ICCA’s Forum for Young Professionals

based on country of origin, current employment and a short essay on either the challenges faced by the industry, social networking or sustainability.

The deadline for applications is Friday 10 September 2010. For full information Highlighting their about the programme and how to apply continued commitment go to www.iccaworld.com/dbs/fyp <http:// to finding industry ‘leaders of tomorrow’, www.iccaworld.com/dbs/fyp> or contact EIBTM and ICCA are undertaking their Jill Harrison at jill@icca.nl annual search for young talent to join Martin Sirk, CEO for ICCA comments: them in the annual Forum For Young “The Forum is a unique opportunity for Professionals at this year’s EIBTM in ambitious young professionals, thrown Barcelona. The two organisations are on together from different backgrounds and the look out for 20 industry professionals, countries, to join together to learn more under the age of 30, to join them from about the industry and ICCA. It adds up Saturday 27 November to Tuesday 30 to an experience that past participants November. Selection to the Forum is consistently enthuse about.” n

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Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) loves M.I.C.E Industry The M.I.C.E Industry Appreciation Night organized by the Sarawak Convention Bureau (SCB) in early August at Sarawak River Cruise, Kuching, Sarawak was attended by industry members including hoteliers, Professional Conference Organizers, Convention Centre, Destination Management Companies, Government Agencies and Tourism Associations who have been giving their full support to the Sarawak Convention Bureau.

This inaugural gave SCB the chance to say “thank you” to industry members, update the sales performance and showcase a new theme party called “The Love Boat”.

Mrs. Jill Henry, CEO of Sarawak Convention Bureau, said “When we were formed in 2006 as the first bureau in Malaysia it was quite a challenge. But all the hard work has paid off with total of 123 bid won and over RM133 Million on estimate total delegate expenditure over the last four years. This could not have been achieved alone as in every bid the support of industry members is vital to win the business.”

“This is a great opportunity to get together in tourism setting while enjoying the beautiful sunset view of Kuching and relaxing after a day hard work”, she added.

The original idea of the “Love Boat” came from an industry M.I.C.E training session and was developed by Adeline Teng of AOS Conventions and Events Borneo Sdn Bhd, Brandon Lim of Basaga Holiday Residences, Audrey Dominic of Abacus and other team members.

The industry members were waited on by the angels and unusual “Cupids” offering love potions and love treats. They had a chance to play quirky games like “The Best Pick-Up Line”, “Love at First Sight”, “The Act of Love” and more. On deck, a BBQ dinner awaited and the love tunes from the Perth base crooner, Earl Cole.

The grand prize of two tickets to the prestigious 4th Anak Sarawak Appreciation Award 2010 with the theme “The Egyptian Night” at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) was won my Merdeka Palace Hotel and Suites. This event recognizes those who have successfully bid for new national and international conventions to Sarawak. It acknowledges their commitment and dedication to the growth of Sarawak’s MICE industry. n

“The Oscars of the Travel Industry” Wall Street Journal

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Upcoming World Travel Awards Events The Asia & Australasia Gala Ceremony • Delhi, India • Thursday 14 October 2010 The Americas Gala Ceremony • Jamaica • Friday 22 October 2010 The Grand Final Gala Ceremony • London, United Kingdom • Sunday 7 November 2010

Grand Final Early Bird Discount Offer • BOOK NOW to save 30% Book by 8 October 2010 to qualify for the 30% Early Bird discount on tickets for the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony. Please quote NF9 when booking.

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News Line World

IT&CMA and CTW 2010 To Welcome Stellar Cohort of International Delegates Efforts to attract an international bevy of choice IT&CMA MICE buyers and CTW corporate travel managers,

insights on achieving optimal results in this area.” describes Mr Ooi Peng Ee, General Manager of TTG Asia Media’s events and exhibitions division.

This year’s programme will also welcome a variety of top association executives from International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB) who are co-locating their meetings in conjunction with IT&CMA and CTW 2010. The specially designed starter accreditation Association Professional Competencies Certification Course (PAE102) offered during CTW 2010 by the Australian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) and Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), is expected to bring more association executives to the show. CTW’s second accreditation programme, the Corporate Travel Expert (CTE) Designation Course by National Business Travel Association (NBTA), is tailored exclusively for Corporate Travel Managers.

The event’s strategic partner Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is also intensifying its efforts to promote Thailand as a MICE and Corporate Travel destination through IT&CMA and CTW 2010. Mr. Akapol Sorasuchart, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau commented, “To encourage an increased Thai presence at this exhibition, TCEB has funded a total of 57 local travel agents and destination management companies to be at the event. These companies will occupy over 300 sqm of the IT&CMA exhibition hall. This supportive and optimistic response demonstrates Thailand’s determination and dedication as the host country of IT&CMA and CTW, in moving association executives and media have paid off handsomely.

More than 900 registrations from interested participants around towards fulfilling our intention of being the centre of MICE development for the Asia Pacific.” n the world have been received so far. This year’s Doublebill MICE and Corporate Travel event is slated to boast one of the most diverse and sought-after target audience profiles which exhibitors and sponsors are looking to meet and network with.

“Our exhibitors tell us that in addition to wooing the MICE sector, corporate travel and association networks are pivotal for business going forward. Thus, our focus this year is to ensure that we deliver more of these delegates to the event.” observes Mr Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, organizer of IT&CMA and CTW 2010.

IT&CMA and CTW 2010 have always been reputed for its track record to source for and accept only bona-fide delegates to the event. Part of the show’s investment includes hosting of buyers and corporate travel managers that possess reputable buying potential. Mr Ng explains, “This year, with the overwhelming number of registrations received, the continued enforcement of our stringent validation measures will serve to heighten the quality of buyers and corporate travel managers attending IT&CMA and CTW.” In addition to the investment of delivering a diverse profile of quality international buyers and corporate travel managers, the organisers have also enhanced the IT&CMA and CTW 2010 programme. This successfully contributed to attracting procurement managers, planners, influencers and decision makers from some of the world’s biggest corporate names across multiple industries including Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Symantec, Societe Generale Bank, The Body Shop, Robert Bosch and Mazda. “Delegates are also looking forward to the return of the popular ‘You Say, I Say’ interactive panel discussion that invites audiences to voice their opinions and engage with six dynamic industry experts on some of the community’s most pressing issues. This year’s keynote presentation on ‘The Future of Delivering and Creating Value In Service’ by Ms Irene Ng will offer fresh perspectives and

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Redefining

M.I.C.E in Asia

Asia-Pacific’s Premier MICE and Corporate Travel Event A whole new experience for distinctions and innovations 18 th IT&CMA and 13 th CTW Asia-Pacific 5-7 October 2010 Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Thailand

Find out if you qualify for Hosting Programmes: Buyer • Corporate Travel Manager/Planner • Media For more information, please log on to:

www.itcma.com.sg | www.corporatetravelworld.com

News Line World

IT&CM China 2011 Receives Strong Support from Exhibitors Early indications signal a healthy outlook for China’s 2011 MICE market.

Chinese and International MICE suppliers confident of surging market demand have committed to exhibiting at IT&CM (Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings) China 2011, China’s leading international MICE trade event, as early as one year in advance.

Among them is the ultra-luxurious Pangu 7-star Hotel Beijing, which boasts stunning views of the Water Cube, Bird’s Nest and sprawling Olympic Park. Mr Jeffery Qiao, Panghu’s Director of MICE, said: “As an up-market independent boutique hotel with many unique selling points, we are looking to impress IT&CM China’s international delegation of professional meeting planners, event organisers, destination management companies and international travel agencies.

Hence, we are excited about our upcoming participation at IT&CM China 2011.” This will be Pangu’s first showcase at IT&CM China.

Other Chinese exhibitors who are already on board include Dragon Delight International Tours Ltd, Samantha Resort & Spa, Chime Long Hotel, Gloria Hotels & Resorts and China Travel Hong Kong (Zhuhai) Ocean Spring Co., Ltd. No stranger to exhibiting at IT&CM China, international chain Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts will be back to take part in the 2011 show. Ms Sharon Lee, Area Vice President Sales Asia Pacific - Meliá Brand, enthused about her satisfaction with this year’s 2010 event: “We were delighted at the wide

selection of international and Chinese MICE buyers’ attending the show. It was a good platform to promote our newly opened Gran Melia Hotel in Shanghai. We also had the opportunity to organize many site inspections for buyers and media before and after the IT&CM China 2010 show. Publicity was also very good!”

Ms Lee added, “Serious MICE professionals should be at IT&CM China 2011 to get updates on new hotels and destination offerings. We appreciate the compact appointment schedule as we are able to meet more buyers. With a wide selection of international and Chinese MICE buyers attending the show, we feel that it is a good platform to promote our Sol Melia Hotels in the Asia Pacific.”

Other international exhibitors who are also looking to benefit from the 2011 event include Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong, TeamBuilding, Kempinsk Hotels and WorldHotels.

According to the show organisers, China continues to gain momentum as a global MICE destination hotspot, especially after the staging of this year’s World Expo in Shanghai. The international and domestic buzz has spilled over to IT&CM China 2011, adding to strong support drawn from industry players. Last year’s IT&CM China 2010 was attended by some 2,000 participants including 230 exhibiting companies, 300 buyers from 37 countries, and some 100 international and local media.

Commented Mr Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, “Compared to the same time last year, IT&CM China

2011 has secured 4 times more booth space bookings. We are positive that the 2011 event will prove to be an even bigger sell-out success. Thanks to our strong buyers hosting programme, we have also attracted considerable new and loyal buyer registrations from across the world, even at this early stage.”

Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International, said, “IT&CM China 2011 will once again present exciting business, learning and networking opportunities that transcend geographical borders, with buyers and sellers from around the world. We hope to draw more Chinese MICE players to take part in the exhibition as the MICE sector grows from strength to strength in China.”

The show organisers will be selecting 300 key Chinese and international MICE buyers for business discussions with exhibitors.

Besides the many business meetings and social events, participants can look forward to attending the IT&CM China 2011 keynote address, educational seminars on a wide range of topics.

IT&CM China 2011 will be held from April 13 to 15 next year at ShanghaiMart Expo.

The 2011 theme is “Leading China’s Next MICE Wave”. The event is organised by TTG Asia Media and MP International. It has the support of the Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, Shanghai Tourism Trade Association, Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Industries Association, International Association of Professional Congress Organisers, Pacific Asia Travel Association, International Congress & Convention Association, Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) China and SITE Hong Kong Chapter. n

ETOA & ECM to launch City Workshop The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) and European Cities Marketing (ECM) will join forces in June 2011 with a new workshop that brings tour operators and cities together to do business.

This event will follow the successful model developed over many years: cities take tables and meet operators in pre-arranged appointments. This is the most time-efficient way for cities to hear what operators are looking for and how they work. Operators can find new ways to develop their product.

“We are very much looking forward to working with ETOA”, said Dieter HardtStremayr, President of ECM. “They have a long track record of running wellorganised and efficient workshops. They have membership that represents the most important operators from nearly all the main origin markets. This is a great opportunity

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September’2010

for cities to gain a deep and intense understanding of how the market works.”

Tom Jenkins, ETOA’s Executive Director, said: “Cities are the cornerstone of European tourism. They are what people travel to see from all over the world. This is why ECM is one of the most important and dynamic

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

marketing organisations in Europe. They represent what clients want to see. As the market is fluid, operators are constantly looking for ways to develop existing destinations and find new product. In one day all the most important people will gather under one roof.” n

IT&CM China 2011 13 -15 April 2011 | ShanghaiMart Expo

Leading China’s Next MICE Wave Bringing Together Chinese and International MICE Exhibitors & Buyers In One Dynamic Marketplace.

Business

• 32 Appointment Sessions. Guaranteed.

• MICE Exhibition Showcase

84% of 2010 exhibitors expect to receive orders in the next 6 to 12 months Business generated per exhibiting company reached up to

USD 1 million

2010 exhibitors choose IT&CM - Generate New Sales Leads - Promote Company, Products & Services - Network

China to:

- Stay Competitive

Learning

• Seminar Sessions

Play

• Networking Functions • Pre and Post Show Tours Hosting Programme For Buyers and Media Available.

Register Now!

Exhibitors | Buyers | Media

www.itcmchina.com Local Host

Organised by

FOR INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS, BUYERS AND MEDIA 国际展商、买家和媒体，请您联系 TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd TTG亚洲传媒有限公司

FOR CHINA-BASED EXHIBITORS, BUYERS AND MEDIA 中国展商、买家和媒体，请您联系 MP International (Shanghai) Pte Ltd 中新会展（上海）有限公司

Tel 电话 : (65) 6395 7575 Fax 传真: (65) 6536 0896 Email 电子邮箱: itcmchina@ttgasia.com

Tel 电话: (86) 021 6295 9990 Fax 传真: (86) 021 6270 6030 Email 电子邮箱: sales-sh@mpinetwork.com

Supported by

MICE Destinations

ANKARA

Ankara the capital of Turkey is located in the centre of Anatolia province. With a known history of around 3000, Ankara has seen great heights in the past. Around 3000 years ago, the Hittites established a city by the name of Akuwash (old name for Ankara) at the intersection of two trade routes in Turkey. During its earlier phase, Ankara was ruled by Phrygians, Macedonians (under Alexander the Great), and Romans. Seljuk Turks captured the city in 1071 AD and renamed it as Enguriye. Most important moment in the history of Ankara came when Atatürk founded his provisional government here in 1920, and in 1923 when it became the capital of Turkish Republic. The city has seen a number of changes since then, however it has been successful enough in maintaining a fine balance between the old and the new and thereby living up to its unique identity as the “Melting Pot of East and West”. Today, Ankara is a sprawling urban mass thoroughly organized and well - planned and much European in look than most of the cities in Turkey. Its wide-open roads, large hotels, restaurants and government offices distinguish the city. Besides, there are several tourist attractions and meetings in the city making it an ideal destination for the tourists and mice industry.

City At a Glance Population: 3,627,098 Traffic Code: 06 Telephone Code: 0312 How to go Ankara’s international Esenboga Airport is well connected to other cities in Europe as well as to important destinations in other parts of the world.

What to do The foundations of this citadel were laid by Galatians to be completed by the Romans. Byzantines and Seljuk made major changes later on. The citadel is located atop a hill in the old city where one can see some fine examples of traditional architecture of Ankara.

What to see • The Ankara Citadel • The Museum of Anatonian Civilisation • Anıtkabir • The Temple of Augusts • The Roman Bath • The Column of Julian • Had Bayram Mosque • The Hatti Monument • Victory Monument • Monument of the Republic • Yeni Mosque • Kocatepe Mosque

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Ankara Name

Number of Halls

Total sqm

Largest HallCapacity (Theatre)

Ankara Hilton Hotel

8

-

600

Ankara Plaza Hotel

6

-

500

Buyuk Anadolu Hotel

13

1.800

2.000

B.Surmeli Hotel

7

1.900

900

BW.Hotel 2000

3

-

700

Crowne Plaza Ankara

12

-

750

Hotel Bilkent Ankara

7

1.650

760

Hotel Dedeman

6

-

500

Rixos Grand Ankara

14

-

1.000

Sheraton Ankara

7

1.650

700

Swissotel Ankara

9

-

1.200

September’2010

45

MICE Destinations

ANTALYA

In the picturesque old quarter of Kaleici, narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls. Since its founding in the second century B.C., Antalya has been continuously inhabited. The region, bathed In sunshine 300 days of the year, is a paradise of sun-bathing, swimming and sports activities like windsurfing, water skiing, sailing, mountain climbing and hunting. If you come to Antalya in March or April, in the mornings you can ski the slopes and in the afternoons swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Important historical sites await your discovery amid a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus groves, and palm, avocado and banana plantations. The Turquoise Coast is the tourism capital of Turkey. Its full range of accommodations, about 35 000 delegates, sunny climate, variety of excursions and activities, and its warm hospitality make it a sought-after venue for meetings and conferences. The Antalya Covention Bureau, ACB, is an independant, non-profit making organisation. Founded in 1995 as an off-shoot of the Antalya Promotion Foundation (ATAV) which has became a member of the European Federation of Conference Towns (EFCT)in1997. More information; A Culture, Exhibition and Congress Center was opened in 1996 in the Konyaalti Quarter. The Congress hall itself is in a glass pyramid.

City At a Glance Population: 1.132.211 Traffic Code: 07 Telephone Code: 0242 How to go Antalya airport is 10km east of the city centre, and has direct flights from Europe. It is well connected to other parts of Turkey, and daily direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara.

What to do With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also plays host to a number of sporting events throughout the year, like International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995, hosts cultural and art events in the fields of music, theatre, and creative arts. The main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums.

What to see • Archaeological Museum • Truncated and fluted minarets • Hadrian’s Gate Old Harbour • Perge, Side, Aspendos • Düden and Kursunlu Waterfalls • Antalya Castle

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September’2010

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Antalya Name Number Total of Halls sqm Adora Hotel Antalya Culture Center Antalya Expo Center Cornelia Deluxe Resort Cornelia Diamond Crystal Hotels Dedeman Antalya Divan Antalya C.Center Gloria Hotels Kemer Resort Hotel Limak Atlantis Hotel Limak Limra Limak Lara Lares Hotel Limra Hotel Miracle Hotel Mirada Hotel Mirage Park Hotel Maritim Pine Beach Porto Bello Hotel Rixos Sungate Silence Beach Resort Sabanci Congress Center Sheraton Antalya Vouge Hotel

10 2 16 10

1.681 1.100 65.000 -

Largest HallCapacity (Theatre) 1.350 1.000 6.000 1.000

9 9 13 1

-

1.400 2.156 700 1.000

16 8 14 7 8 6 6 10 15 6 15 7 17 8 4

2.871 2.812 1.452 1.930 2.145 4.168 2.353 2.812 4.500

1.200 1.150 1.200 1.300 1.100 1.300 1.200 1.200 1.000 1.500 2.575 1.250 2.000 1.250 2.400

12 3

685

650 650

ISTANBUL

The former capital of three successive empires-Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman-the city is a fascinating mixture of past and present, old and new, modern and traditional.

The museums, churches, palaces, mosques and bazaars, and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows and slender minarets on the opposite shore you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. In addition to its unique historical and cultural background and innumerable attractions, modern hotels, exclusive restaurants, nightclubs, cabarets, bazaars and shops make Istanbul a superb site for meetings, conferences and conventions. Istanbul is fast becoming one of the most popular international congress and exhibition destinations. The opening of the Lütfi Kirdar Istanbul international Conference Center (I ICC) doubled the capacity of congress facilities in Istanbul. The I ICC is ideally located in the modern district of Harbiye, at the center of the city’s business, cultural and commercial life, surrounded by some of Europe’s top quality hotels. Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) has all the contacts and information for your meetings in Istanbul. More information; City At a Glance Population: 14.000.000 Traffic Code: 34 Telephone Code: 0212 (European side) - 0216 (Asian side) How to go Istanbul city has modern and new international airport, which is well connected by regular flights, with most important destinations in Europe, Middle East, ana North America with. Besides, vast networks of flights fly between Istanbul and various other cities of Turkey. Ataturk International Airport is 20 km from city centre.

Helicopter service is also available between the cities.

What to do While in Istanbul there is so much to do and look forward to. The museums, castles, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. Being a cultural and historical centre, exploring the grand heritage of the city should be the top most priority. Shopping which can be a pleasure in the markets of Istanbul should form another important part of your itinerary. More than anything else a walk down the lanes and by lanes of the many bazaars in Istanbul can be a great experience, if interested in feeling the culture and lifestyles of the people of this amazing land.

What to see • Dolmabahçe Palace • Küçüksu Pavillion • St. İrene • Blue Mosque • Topkapi Palace • Mosaic Museum • Covered Bazaar • St. Sophia • Kariye Museum • Beylerbeyi Palace • Yerebatan Cîstern • Miniaturk

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Istanbul Name Number of Halls

Total sqm

Largest HallCapacity (Theatre) 10.500

Abdi Ipekçi Sport Center

1

-

Atatürk Culture Center

4

1.062

Ceylan Intercontinental

2

2.200

Feshane Fair Center

3

5.500

Grand Cevahir Hotel

22

Istanbul Hilton Exh. Cn.

9

2.824

1.500

Lütfi Kırdar ICEC

21

3.000

4.980

Military Museum Culture Cn.

5

2.462

1.000

Open Air Theater

1

-

4.000

Swissotel The Bosphorus

-

3.738

840

TÜYAP Fair & Congress Hall

3

16.000

World Trade Center

2

52.000

WOW Convention Center

7

-

September’2010

400 2.750

1.000 4.000

47

MICE Destinations

IZMIR

Izmir, historically Smyrna, is the third most populous city of Turkey and the country’s largest port after Istanbul. It is located in the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea. It is the capital of Izmir Province. Izmir is the inheritor of almost 3,500 years of urban past, and possibly up to that much more in terms of advanced human settlement patterns. It is Turkey’s first port for exports and its free zone, a Turkish-U.S. joint-venture established in 1990, is the leader among the twenty that Turkey counts. Its workforce, and particularly its rising class of young professionals, concentrated either in the city or in its immediate vicinity (such as in Manisa), and under either larger companies or SME’s, affirm their name in an increasingly wider global scale and intensity. Izmir is widely regarded as one of the most liberal Turkish cities in terms of values, ideology, lifestyle, dynamism and gender roles.

The Izmir Convention & Visitors Bureau (Izmir CVB) was founded in 2007 by Izmir Tourism Promotion Foundation (IZTAV), as a non-profitable, independent of any marketing structure information exchange bureau. Izmir CVB’s mission is to promote the city’s rich cultural and natural assets and it’s great potential on a national and international level and is seeking guidelines and best practice to develop the city’s congress tourism.

City At a Glance Population: 3,627,098 Traffic Code: 35 Telephone Code: 0232 How to go Adnan Menderes Airport, 16km south of the city centre, has several daily flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. There are also regular flights from many European cities.

What to do While in Izmir see the sights, the Arkeoloji Müzesi (Archaeological Museum), near Konak Square, houses a superb collection of antiques including the statues of Poseidon, and Demeter which, in ancient times, stood in the agora. Neighboring the Archaeological Museum, the collection of the Etnografya Müzesi (Etnographical Museum) contains folkloric artifacts among which are fine collections of Bergama and Gördes carpets, traditional costumers and camel bridles. Situated on Atatürk Caddesi is an old Izmir house used by the founder of the Turkish Republic, the Atatürk Müzesi (Atatürk Museum) exhibits photographs of the leader as well as some of his personnel effects. The SelcukYasar Müzesi (SelcukYasar Art Museum) is a private museum on Cumhuriyet Bulvari with a collection of 20th century Turkish art. And wander in the bazaar, sip drinks and dine at the pleasant waterfront restaurants.

What to see • Agora • Pergamum – Bergama - Milet - Dydima • Clock Tower • Kemeralti • Kadifekale • Asansor • Ephesus – Selcuk- Virgin Mary • Alacati • Seferhisar • Cesme

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September’2010

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Izmir Name

Number of Halls

Total sqm

Largest HallCapacity (Theatre)

Aegean University Hall

6

-

1.000

Altinyunus Holiday Resort

9

-

650

Adnan Saygun Culture & Art Cen.

6

29.500

1.225

Ataturk Culture Center

7

-

800

Hilton Izmir

16

-

700

Izfas

5

-

1.000

Sabanci Culture Palace

6

6.000

538

Sheraton Cesme

22

-

-

Swissotel Izmir

22

7.299

1.550

Tepekule Congress & Ex. Cen.

14

-

1.100

Thermal Princess Hotel

11

-

1.075

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

DM companies

Ertugrul Arturo Karaoglu President&Ceo

Company Overview

Services

INTRA TOURS-DMC was established in 1980 in Istanbul to provide a range of incoming travel and incentive services. It is the flagship of the Intra Group, which is made up of 4 companies, involved in different branches of tourism in Turkey.

INTRA TOURS-DMC is organised in departments according to the regions from which incoming tourists originate; these regional departments are supplemented by a dedicated incentives department. Intra’s headquarters are in Istanbul, and the company has branch and operational offices located in the key coastal resort towns of Antalya, Bodrum and Kusadasi.

In the Istanbul head office alone a team of 50 dedicated professionals work year round, handling all kinds of operation from individuals to large groups.

INTRA TOURS-DMC has welcomed hundreds of thousands of tourists to Turkey from all over the world. Its initial success was predominantly in Mediterranean Europe. For the last 15 years Intra has started working also with North America, North & East Europe and the Middle East Markets and looking forward to expanding to Asia and Russia.

Intra is a member of the Turkish Travel Agents Association (TURSAB) with rankings in the top 20 in terms of annual revenue. Intra aims to place itself amongst the top 5 incoming tour operators in Turkey by securing its position as the leading incoming operator from Italy and Spain whilst establishing a major presence in its newer markets.

• Incentive, Congresses & Conventions – a completely independent department catering for the incentive and meeting industry • Groups, Special interest & study tours • FIT programmes & seat in coach tours • B2B online reservation service for the travel trade • Operations in seaside resorts • Pilgrimage programmes & tours • Cruise charter & cabin rental • Flight charter operations • Tailor-made holidays • Luxury travel

Affiliations

Headquarters

Intra is a member of the following organizations:

Ergenekon Cad.62/603 Bomonti Sisli 34380 Istanbul TURKEY Phone: (90-212) 234 12 00 , 44INTRA - Fax : (90-212) 241 08 85 e-mail: mail@intraturkey.com - www.intraturkey.com

ASTA - SKAL - SITE - FIYTO and TURSAB

Executive Officers President and CEO Assistant GM & Director Italy Department Assistant GM & Director for Spain & Latin America MICE coordinator Director, Group & FIT Operations Director, Resort offices

Mr. Ertugrul “Arturo” Karaoglu Mr. Birhan Bilen Mr. Nuri Bulutoglu Ms. Pinar Gündogdu Mr. Kasim Basak Mr.Fethi Ocel

ERSAN ATSÜR President

Company Overview

Services

ORION TOUR was established in 1969 in order to meet the fast growing demand for FIT and GIT land tours throughout Turkey. Since then, the company has become one of the top leading tour operators in the country with energetic and well-experienced staff, necessary to run an efficient and smooth operation. Through Orion’s computerized systems and worldwide connections, you are assured of reliable and professional services.

ORION TOUR DMC has successfully arranged many meetings and symposiums and is, therefore, armed with a lot of knowledge and experience. ORION TOUR successfully organized the International Symposium on St. Nicholas (Santa Claus, Father Christmas) for years. This International Symposium was solely organized and managed by us and scholars from various European countries, U.S.A and Canada participated in this International Symposium for over a decade.

Only few years ago, the annual meeting of the World Council of Churches in Turkey was also planned, organised and successfully managed by Orion Tour. Furthermore, annual meetings and congresses for Wear TV, Lux, Citibank, Nutrimetrics, Shaklee, Shell, Hoechst, Ciba-Geigy, Panasonic, Eagle-Star, Hoover, Bridgestone, NATO-Conference on Education and Training on Operational Research, AIA - American International Assurance Company, Telcom South Africa, Thira Parma Phillipinnes, Sony Singapore and InnKeeper Australia were all carried out by our company.

ORION TOUR has and offers a whole range of well-experienced and reputable guides to meet and cope with the demand and interest of and to provide the comfort and care for our guests. Most of these professional guides are multi-lingual and we provide a whole range of foreign languages; from the common and well-spoken languages of English, French, German and Arabic to the relatively less frequently requested languages like Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin).

Wear TV – 125 pax Lux – 120 pax Citibank – 135 pax Nutrimetrics - 700 pax Shaklee - 1200 pax Shell - 850 pax Hoechst - 350 pax Ciba-Geigy - 250 pax Panasonic - 350 pax Eagle-Star - 225 pax Hoover - 195 pax Bridgestone - 450 pax NATO-Conference on Education and Training on Operational Research - 1300 pax AIA - American International Assurance Company - 225 pax Telcom South Africa - 150 pax Thira Parma Phillipinnes - 325 pax Sony Singapore - 125 pax InnKeeper Australia - 175 pax

Affiliations

Headquarters

Orion - tour is a member of the following organizations:

ORION TOUR - Tourism Organisation & Travel Agency Address: Halaskargazi Cad. No:166/3 Sisli 34360 Istanbul/TURKEY Tel: +90(212)2326300 - 2319570 Fax: +90(212)2412808 - 2414953 www.oriontour.com e-mail: orion@oriontour.com.tr

ASTA - JATA - PATA - SITE - TURSAB - UFTAA

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

September’2010

49

DM companies

Ziya Dal Mice Dept.Manager

Company Overview

Services

Established in the midst of 1964 and covering all kinds of activities in the field of tourism, Setur Turizm is the first and leading tourism company of Turkey with its worldwide achievements. Rendering services to A and A+ customer segments, Setur, following the Super Brand title acquired in 2005 has been elected as “The Most Successful Tour Operator” for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as the result of the survey organized by Capital magazine by leaving important competitors behind. It has received the “The Best Foreign Tours” award in the internet voting organized by Skal International, the long-established and biggest tourism association of the world, for the years 2006 and 2007 and “The Best Tour Operator” for 2008. Services rendered by Setur in the field of tourism are operating local and international tours, airplane ticket sales, organization of congresses and seminars and local services.

Furthermore, Setur maintains business partnerships with many international companies. Being the representative of Cruise Line in Turkey, one of the leading companies of the world, Setur is also the representative of Costa Cruises in Turkey which operates in the same sector and is one of the biggest shipping companies in Europe. Setur has also been the Turkey representative of Orient Express and Cruises Company since 1997. Abercrombie & Kent, the number one brand operating in luxury travel sector, has entered

the Turkish market with Setur beginning from 2007. Setur also acts as the Turkey representative of BCD Travel, one of the three biggest companies in the global corporate market. By incorporating the biggest on-line tourism portal of Turkey, bookinturkey.com, in 2003 the company started to expand in the internet sector as well.

The headquarters of the company has moved to a modern building located in Altunizade, Istanbul at the end of 1996. Setur feels proud of its contributions to the national tourism and economy with its travel agencies rendering diversified tourism services from various locations in Turkey, almost 100 authorized and virtual dealers, duty free shops and over 350 experienced employees. Having put its signature under many national and international organizations for many years SETUR Congress and Seminar Department has a significant place in the sector with its experienced staff. Available at all times for an excellent service in all organizations throughout Turkey covering ten to ten thousand people. Setur offers the following services with respect to congress organizations; tracking of participant records and booking procedures (hotel, flight, car rental etc.)/pre- and post meeting city tours, shopping tours or expeditions for entertainment-culture purposes/transfers between airport-hotel-congress/fair venue during arrival and departure/procurement of technical services/preparation and following up of printed materials/procurement of temporary staff.

• 14th ANNUAL NIBS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE • ARÇELIK Strategic Foresight Meeting • AYGAZ EPDK / TLPGD Meeting • CEN TC 19th Regional Meeting • BEKO BLOMBERG Built-in Launching • Republic of Turkey Undersecretariat of Treasury 9th IMF Debt Managers Meeting • KOÇ HOLDING Anatolian Meetings • 3rd BEKO International Authorized Dealers Meeting • OTOKAR Wheeled Tactical Vehicles Project Signature Ceremony • THE WORLD COLLECTIONS PROGRAMME – MUSEUM LEARNING AND INTERPRETATION SEMINAR • International PROVAT Conference in Ankara • TURKSAT Exploiting Egnos Galielo Services in Media Meeting • Sarp Border Gate Opening Ceremony • CEM FOUNDATION–Shiism from Past to Present Symposium • International ASPEN ATLANTIC GROUP Meeting • Turkish Literature with International Translators and Publishers Symposium

Affiliations

Headquarters

Setur is a member of the following organizations :

Setur Headquarters Building Baglarbasi Kisikli Caddesi No:26 Altunizade ISTANBUL/TURKEY Phone: +90 216 554 37 00 - Fax: +90 216 474 94 29 E-mail: info@setur.com.tr - Web-site: www.setur.com.tr

TURSAB, IAPCO, ICCA, ICVB, SITE

Feyhan Kaprali General Manager

Company Overview TekSer Tourism & Travel was founded in 1979 in order to answer the travel related needs of the business community. During the ensuing two decades, Tekser has become a major international operator, offering a wide range of travel options with highly competitive quotations for discerning customers.

Accustomed to being the leader in its field, TekSer’ s multilingual staff of 35 supported by a carefully recruited team of English speaking tour directors, guides, transfer assistants and drivers run its four operational departments.

The TekSer difference in attitude and performance is reflected in our motto personalized service at its best – Two decades dedicated to excellence in customer satisfaction and the experience gained preparing the ideal custom made programs

Services for such diverse guests as executives of major multinationals , conference delegates and/or religious study groups has taught us how to respond to our clients’ requirements efficiently, to be scrupulous in choosing what we offer and meticulous in the way we deliver them.

TekSer Incentives & Meetings Department, our standard bearer, has concluded quite a few international events, many involving globally known companies.

For us, a successful incentive lets your guests carry back home that sense of uniqueness, which comes from just having lived a “once in a lifetime experience”. Our job is to suggest, design and deliver the particular program to create that special effect.

• Organization of incentives, conventions,seminars, congresses • Organization of meetings for any purpose in uniquelocations - in historical settings, among natural attractions, exciting places, on traditional wooden yachts or cruise vessels…

• Cultural, historical, religious, archeological and other special interest tours • Museum and art tours, alumni group meetings • Summer or winter holiday arrangements, • Yacht cruises and charters, special itinerary odysseys by yacht and explorations including visits to Greek Islands.

• Skiing, hot air ballooning, adventure travel • Airline ticketing (IATA) • Hotel bookings and car rental

Affiliations

Headquarters

TekSer is a member of the following organizations:

Meşrutiyet Mahallesi, Halaskargazi Caddesi, Gazi Ethem Pasa Sitesi, No:112 Kat:4 Osmanbey - İstanbul - TURKEY Phone: +90 212 231 6800 - Fax: +90 212 288 2624 e-mail:incentive@tekser.com - www.tekser.com

ASTA-IATA-TURSAB-SITE-USTOA-UFTAA 50

September’2010

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine