New Focus Travel Magazine March/April 2011

NO:118 March / April’2011

T R A V E L

M A G A Z I N E

Destinasyon Kamboçya

Visit & Shop

ATF-Cambodia EMITT-Istanbul BIT-Milan

From the EDITOR TH 20 Year th th

18 year

NO:118 March & April’2011 no: 101 May/June’08

From the Editor

Peace will come with Tourism We start New Year with new hopes however unrest started initially in North African countries affected world tourism.

We always write same; tourism can be done in peaceful environment. First visit to Tunisia was from Turkish tourism professionals lead by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

Turkish tourism professionals met with their colleagues in Tunisia; promised to support them and signed new business agreements.

After Tunisia, Egypt faced similar political unrest and we believe that again first visit to the country will be done by tourism professionals. Turkish tourism professionals and travelers flock to the Egypt stand at EMITT tourism fair held in Istanbul in February 2011. While we are preparing this issue, unrest started in Libya. In spite of everything, Libya attended BIT-Milano travel fair with a large stand and received support from their colleagues abroad.

Of course, everyone respects the people of the countries that seek a better life and more democracy.

Beyond respect, tourism professionals and travelers bring peace and serenity to these countries.

Suat Tore

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40 Uzak Dogunun Parlayan Destinasyonu Kuzeyde Çin’den başlayıp, Myanmar, Tayland ve Laos ülkelerinin ardından denize ulaşan ‘’Nehirlerin Anası’’ yada ‘’Ana Tanrıça’’ adıyla da anılan Mekong nehrinin ikiye ayırdığı, ÇinHindi yarımadasının 181 bin kilometre karelik şirin, yemyeşil ve hüzünlü ülkesi Kamboçya.

26 26 Visit and Shop 40 Days and 40 Nights in Istanbul Shopaholics will be thrilled to hear that Istanbul’s first-ever shopping fest will be held for 40 days between 18 March and 26 April 2011 when shops and shopping malls will be kept open for 24 hours! All together an astonishing 90 shopping centres and popular shops in Taksim, Nisantasi, Sisli, Bakirkoy, Fatih, Bahariye and Bagdat Street have been earmarked for participating in the fest which will launch Istanbul as a major shopping destination.

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EMITTIstanbul

CONTENTS Focus on Turkey Focus on Exhibition Focus on Tour Operators & Agents Focus on World Focus on Hotels Focus on Cover Story Focus on Airlines Focus on Destinasyon - Kamboçya Focus on Destinasyon - KL Alısveris Bülten Kisa... Kisa...

4 12 14 18 24 26 36 40 47 48 50

47 KL’de Alışveriş Keyfi KL; yani Malezya’nın başkenti Kuala Lumpur dünyanın en yüksek gökdelenlerinden olan Petronas İkiz Kuleleri ve TV Kulesi nin arasındaki modern alışveriş merkezleri ile alışveriş tutkunları için tam bir cennet..

NewFocus March & April’2011

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Focus On TURKEY NEWS

Expedia: The World’s Interest in Turkey is Growing Expedia, who entered the Turkish market 10 years ago and opened its office in Istanbul in 2010, keeps gr Turkey.

Expedia officials state that 2010 has been a succesful year for Turkish tourism and the world’s interest in Turkey is growing.

Expedia Vice President of Market Management Mr. Hari Nair, reports: “We saw a healthy increase from 2009 to 2010 from people booking travel to Turkey online via our web sites.

Incoming tourism into Turkey through Expedia sites grew 615% in the last 5 years. Despite the set back in Quarter 2 because of the Volcanic Ash incident in Iceland, the overall number of visitors in Turkey showed an increase from 2009 in 2010 and Turkey gained further competitive advantage versus other neighboring countries.

In new emerging destinations for Expedia like Anatolia, Expedia saw an increase of over 50% from 2009 of customers booking a package. Whereas in primary markets, such as Antalya, the package production increase in 2010 was over 40% from 2009. The majority of Expedia’s customers coming to Turkey are from the USA (29%). Others include UK, France, Italy and Germany.”

Mr. Nair added “2011 also looks optimistic with Expedia having

reservations in the books already until November. April shows a significant pickup comparing to last year and May/June are looking particularly strong as well.”

While the interest in Turkey grows, Expedia is expanding its local network and team in Turkey via turkiye.hotels.com Turkish since 2008 and continues to bring the world to the Turkish hotels.

About Expedia: Since its launch in 1996, Expedia keeps being #1 online travel agency globally. Expedia, Inc. is the largest and biggest online travel company in the world, with an extensive brand portfolio of online booking and travel information sites, including: Expedia.com®- Hotels.com®-Hotwire®; Venere. com™; Egencia™, TripAdvisor® Media Network and eLong™.

Expedia operates more than 90 localized travel websites, up to 33 worldwide languages in 60 countries across the globe, covering North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia delivers consumer travel demand from nearly every continent to more than 130,000 hotels and hundreds of airlines, tour operators, car rental companies, and destination services supply partners. And Expedia has more than 60 million travel shoppers each month, 67 million hotel room nights booking in a year and also 850,00 flight shoppers’s visits, 864,000 hotel shoppers’ visits, 78,000 activity shopper’s visits per day. n

JATA Gathers in Cappadocia and Istanbul Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry announced that a special committee formed by Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) is gathering in Cappadocia and in Istanbul on 22 and 24 February 2011 respectively.

The special committee

for the Visit World Campaign (VWC) promotion is organizing two meetings in Turkey to promote travel between the two countries and to find out solutions to the problems travel companies face.

Beside the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry and Governorship of Istanbul, representatives from Turkish tourism companies, TURSAB, TUROB, TUROFED, Turkish Airlines and TUREB are joining the meetings. A total of 195.404 Japanese tourists visited Turkey in 2010; recorded an increase of 32.25 percent over 2009 where 147.641 Japanese tourists visited the country. n

Kobe Bryant Promotes Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines’ brand ambassador, Kobe Bryant’s commercial has been completed. The TV commercial meets with the audience end of February. You can also watch it at FTNNEWS. com Filmed at Southbay Studios in Los Angeles, the commercial was directed by Laurance Dunmore. The narrative focuses on Kobe’s interaction with Turkish Airlines’ famed “Flying Chef” aboard a long-haul flight. In a competitive exchange, Kobe and the chef dare each other to switch roles—Kobe as chef and chef as basketball player. The result is a light-hearted competition in which both realize the skill required of each other’s professions.

The commercial was developed by Alametifarika Agency and produced by Depo Film and Ridley Scott Association, with music by Massive Music

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in Holland. The commercial is one component of a larger campaign which will include billboards, print and online components.

Kobe Bryant has been named Most Valuable Player of the NBA finals for the past two years, and has won five NBA championships in his career. He has twice been the scoring champion of the NBA and was part of the gold medal winning U.S.A. Basketball Men’s National Team at the 2008 Olympics. Mr. Bryant ranked number fourteen on Forbes Magazine’s “Celebrity 100,” which lists the world’s richest and most powerful celebrities.

The TV commercial is slated to run in the U.S., the Far East, and in more than 80 countries worldwide. n

Focus On TURKEY NEWS

Istanbul Starts to 2011 with 28.5% Increase of Arrivals Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry Istanbul Directorate Air travel increased 28% and cruise travel increased 184% announced the number of foreign tourist arrivals for January compare to last year n 2011.

According to the report, a total of 378.380 tourists visited Istanbul in January 2011; an increase of 28.5 per cent compare to January 2010. Last year, 294.352 international tourists visited Istanbul.

The German topped the foreigners visiting Istanbul in the mentioned period with 9.3 percent. The Russians followed the German with 8.2 percent, and then came the Italians with 4.8 percent. Other nationals choosing Istanbul as a tourist destination were Iranians (4.8%), Brits (4.6%), Americans (4.3%), French (4.0%), Japanese (3.3%), South Koreans (2.8%), Ukrainians (2.8%), Dutch (2.7%), Azerbaijani (2.5%), Turkmens (2.1%), Spanish (1.9%), Greek (1.7%) and other nationalities (40.1%).

Top 3 entry points to Istanbul are; 1) Atatürk Airport (315.268), 2) Sabiha Gökçen Airport (59.543), 3) Karaköy Transit (2.486).

ISTANBUL 2010 January 294.352

2011

Change compare to 2010 (Monthly)

378.380 + 28.5

Change compare to previous year (Cumulative) + 28.5

Turkey is Selected the Most Popular Travel Destination in Czech Republic Turkey has been selected as the most popular travel destination in 2010 by the readers of TTG Travel Magazine published in Czech Republic.

Moreover, Turkey’s national carrier Turkish Airlines has been selected as the third Best Airlines of 2010 at TTG Travel Awards Ceremony held February 12 at the Best Western Hotel Kampa, Prague.

Czech Republic’s leading travel magazine asked its 60 thousand readers for their favorites in travel industry. Turkey that selected as the third most popular destination last year, ranked at the first place this year with a big difference in score compare to second and third destinations. The second most popular destination is selected as Thailand and Greece came at third place. The number of Czech tourists visiting Turkey in 2010 is increased by 5.8% compare to 2009 and reached to 174,426. n

Nicolas Cage was in Turkey Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had a meeting at Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal with the Academy Awardwinning actor Nicolas Cage who is in Turkey for the movie “Ghost Rider 2”.

Nicolas Cage, who arrived Turkey on January 12, is filming the sequel to “Ghost Rider” in Pamukkale, Denizli.

Cage met with Turkish Prime Minister at Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal in Pamukkale. Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay, the AK Party Deputy Chairman Mohamed Salih Kapusuz and Prime Minister’s daughter attended the meeting. Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage’s starring “Ghost Rider 2” continues to film the final shots. Cage filmed some parts of the movie in Goreme in the Cappadocia region, which is famous for its unusual stone formations, caves and

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March & April’2011

houses carved from rock. He is now in Pamukkale - Denizli, which is known for its white travertine terraces, to film other scenes of the movie. Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, and Violante Placido, accompanied by shooting, will last until 8 February.

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Focus On TURKEY NEWS

18th Izmir European Jazz Festival foto

The 18th Izmir European Jazz Festival organized by Izmir Foundation of Culture, Arts and Education will be held between the dates 2-16 March 2011 with the best program

prepared up until today. Besides the Italian Consulate in Izmir, Goethe Institut Izmir, Izmir French Cultural Center and Austrian Culture Office, this year the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Consulate General of Poland in Istanbul will give support to the Festival for the first time. The 18th Izmir European Jazz Festival organized with the contributions of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, will be different from the previous years in respect of jazz education also. The traditional three-day open jazz orchestra worskhop study will be made for a period of one week by being raised to an academic level this year. The young jazz artists who will participate in the workshop will perhaps find the opportunity to play on an international stage for the first time with the finale concert included in the Festival program.

During the 18th Izmir European Jazz Festival, one exhibition, five seminars and 8 concerts will take place and all of the events other than the workshop studies and seminars will be made in Ahmed Adnan Saygun Art Center. n

Countdown to Istanbul Shopping Fest Istanbul Shopping Fest will be organized between March 18 and April 26, 2011. Istanbul Shopping Fest managing President Yılmaz Yılmaz informed that the event’s importance for Istanbul. Speakers stated that the event has a total of 50 million Turkish Liras budget (35 million USD) and has a target of 3 billion USD spending during 40 days.

Shops and shopping malls will be open till morning in several districts of Istanbul. People will be able to shop 24 hours a day in Istanbul during nearly one month.

Different special prizes and ‘‘Win a Auto Every Day’’ campaigns are expected to attract tourists to Istanbul.

Beside the 90 shopping centers, several popular shops at Taksim, Nisantası, Sisli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Bahariye, and Bagdat street will stage several street activities.

Hundreds gathered to watch a different music shows and

entertainment display on Taksim, Nisantası, Sisli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Bahariye and Bagdat streets of Istanbul.

And Istanbul continues the theme of ‘‘ the city that never sleeps’’ n

U.S. gastronome published Turkish Food Book foto U.S. gastronome Sheilah Kaufman published her second book on Turkish cuisine which she said was “in love with”.

Kaufman’s first book telling about the tastes of Turkish cuisine was among the top 10 cookbooks of 2010 according to the Washington Post.

Kaufman, who has so far written 26 books on different countries and tastes, reported that she admired Turkish cuisine while visiting several Turkish

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cities like Istanbul, Çanakkale, Konya, Iznik, Edirne, Bursa, Amasya and Efes. She also felt in love with the Turkish food when she saw “wonderful foods” of Nur Ilkin.

Kaufman said, “I heard that Americans who bought the book admired the recipes. This was a good experience for some of them who had never tasted Turkish food before.” “Most of the people who say they don’t like Turkish cuisine think Turkish food are very spicy. In fact they are not. Furthermore, they are very healthy and made up of fresh vegetables.

However, it is a problem that Turkish food is not known much. There are not enough restaurants,” she said.

Kaufman added she was doing her best to promote Turkish cuisine and Turkish culture, “I go to every invitation and tell people about Turkish food and culture. In the past 8 months, 9 people who read the book went to Istanbul,” she said.

Sheilah Kaufman said that she could teach Turkish food to more than 1000 people in big states of the United States in case Turkish executives extend support to her. n

Focus On TURKEY NEWS

In Brief l

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Ihsan Gemici l

l l

Sebnem Kecik l l

l l

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Ustungel Inanc l

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Armin Zerunyan

Ihsan Gemici has been appointed Sales and Marketing Manager of Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center.

Sebnem Keçik has been named Assistant General Manager responsible of Ets Group’s Corporate Communication and Brand Management.

Erdogan Kamıs has been appointed as General Manager at Dream Hill Business Deluxe Hotel located in Maltepe, Istanbul.

Leyla Taskın has been appointed Grand Yazıcı Bodrum as Managing Director.

Former Middle East and Africa President of Hilton Hotels; Jean-Paul Herzog has been elected as a member to Dedeman Tourism Board of Directors.

Cem Kul, has been appointed to Kempinski Hotel Ajman as director of sales.

Ali Ethem Keskin has been appointed to Mountrain Outdoor Academy as Director of Business Development. Mr. Keskin was previously Director of Business Development at Sipahiler Tourism and Organization.

Ustungel Inanc has been appointed to RAMPA. RAMPA is a young and ambitious contemporary art gallery in Istanbul representing artists such as Ayse Erkmen, Nilbar Gures and Leyla Gediz among others.

Ustungel Inanc has been handling the international press relations at the Istanbul Biennial and the Istanbul Festivals.

Kaya Demirer has been elected as the President of Turkish Restaurant & Entertainment Association (TURYID).

Armin Zerunyan has been appointed Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands Turkey Manager.

Erdogan Kamis

Jean Paul Herzog

Leyla Taskin

Ali E. Keskin

Kaya Demirer

45

years

of

excellence

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Official Partner Country Coun

Focus On EXHIBITION

ATF-Cambodia

This year’s ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) TRAVEX (Travel Exchange) 2011 held in Phnom Penh, at 15 to 21 January in Cambodia with 500 exhibitors and 400 hosted buyers.

All ten member-nations will be well-represented at this annual leisure travel trade event which showcases the largest contingent of ASEAN destination products and services.

A total of 1,600 delegates attended at this year’s ATF 2011. His Excellency So Mara, Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia remarked, “ASEAN is one of the few regions in the world that offers a lot of tourism value in the international market. Demand

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for ASEAN will continue to grow and we saw that in the increasing interest of international buyers and proliferation of ASEAN products and services at the upcoming ATF.” Hosted by The Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia, the ATF 2011 Opening Ceremony was set to be a spectacular event featuring some 500 local and foreign performers in traditional and contemporary performances. Delegates also had 30 minutes fireworks highlight.

Over the 3 days, delegates hosted wine, dine and enjoy the company of their peers at several hosted luncheons, dinners as well as at 3 late night functions at Nagaworld, Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra. n

Focus On EXHIBITION

NewFocus March & April’2011

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Focus On TOUR OPERATORS & AGENTS

TURSAB Organized a Dinner for Mayor of Istanbul

Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) organized a dinner for the honor of mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality; Kadir Topbas at Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).

Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality; Kadir Topbas, Mayor of Beyoglu district Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Vice President of TUROFED; Gürel Aydın, TUROB President Timur

Bayındır and several representatives of Turkish travel industry attended the night.

Speaking at the dinner, Presitdent of TURSAB; Basaran Ulusoy said that Istanbul came to an important place in travel industry in last 50 years. Today’s position of Istanbul competing with world’s leading cities was just a dream that time. Ulusoy added that Mr. Topbas has a big role at the success of Istanbul. Mr. Ulusoy presented a special vase to Mr. Topbas during the dinner.

Topbas said at the dinner that he and his team are working day and night for Istanbul. “At my first year as the mayor of Istanbul, I told to tourism professionals to bring their dream projects for Istanbul and offered them to work together on those projects,” added Topbas.

Mr. Topbas also informed travelers that the building of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and service building of ISKI (Istanbul’s water supply and wastewater investments) will be sold in order to transform them into a hotel.

“We are going to build our new Municipality Building in Seyrantepe. All project is ready. When the new building constructed and we move there, we will sell the old one. Both the municipality building and ISKI service building are very suitable to be a hotel” said Mr. Topbas. n

Experience Italy at the 150th anniversary of Italy’s Unification Alitalia organized a conference with Turin and Piedmont tourism offices and they announced its newest destination that will connect Istanbul with Turin and Piedmont, Italy.

In 2011, Turin and Piedmont will be staging the past, the present and the future of the country in a dazzling event to mark the 150th anniversary of Italy’s Unification.

Turin and Piedmont are preparing Experience Italy, the big event dedicated to Italy featuring everything in which Italy excels. From 17 March to 20 November 2011 there will be 250

TUREB Celebrated International Tourist Guide Day Within the perspective of International Tourist Guide Day celebrations, Federation of Turkish Tour Guide Association (TUREB) organized a night at Istanbul Haliç Congress Center.

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Günay attended the night where, TUREB gave 5 awards to best of Turkish tourism. Winners are selected according to the results of their poll on the Internet filled by tourist guides. TUREB aims to attract attention of people and media towards to the importance, protection, and sustainability of Turkey’s cultural and historical assets and tourism.

TUREB Awards TUREB Awards are given in 5 categories in 2011. Categories and winners are as follows: Promotion – Ege Yayinlari (Aegean Publications), Sustainability – Seferihisar Municipality, Hospitality – Archeology Museum, Authenticity - Bilintur, and Education of Tourism – Asst. Prof. Nazmi Kozak

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days of shows, themed exhibitions, conferences and debates looking at the past, dealing with the present and visualising the future of the country. Turin and Piedmont are to be the setting, becoming a vast laboratory for designing Italy of the near future. Experience Italy shows the world everything that Italy has to offer: artistic and cultural marvels, creativity, innovation, fashion, quality of life, history, food and wine.

Italy’s first capital, Turin, and the whole of Piedmont, are the ideal place for hosting a debate on a transforming country where future scenarios will be discussed every day. n

JITOA Promoting Jordan in Turkey The Jordan Society of Tourism & Travel Agents discussed closer tourism cooperation with its Turkish counterpart.

Chairman of the society Shaher Hamdan said the meeting was fruitful and served as a platform to exchange tourism expertise between the two friendly countries.

Jordan, he said, could attract up to 300,000 Turkish tourists in 2011, if it is promoted well in Turkey. He noted challenges facing tourism sector such as lack of infrastructure at tourism sites.

Chairman of the Turkish society said Turkey attracts up to 30 million tourists every year, noting that 80,000 Jordanians visit the country for tourism. n

Focus On EXHIBITION

EMITT-Istanbul Stated by the organizer as the world’s 6th largest travel fair, the East Mediterranean Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) took place in Istanbul between 10-13 February 2011.

EMITT 2011, which achieved an attendance of over 114,000 visitors, is now officially the biggest exhibition in Turkey in terms of its exhibitor figures and international participation.

Yemen’s decision to lift visa requirements for Turks is bringing the two countries closer. In a bid to bring more Turkish tourists to the country, Yemen was the guest country of the 15th edition of EMITT. The representatives from Yemen Tourism industry demonstrated their historical, natural and cultural attractions to visitors at EMITT. For the 15th time, EMITT opened its doors to visitors from all around the world. The event was an outstanding success,

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receiving 52,800 visitors during the first two days that were reserved for tourism professionals (last year the event hosted 48,000 tourism professionals), and 61,000 on the last two days of the show, which were open to the public.

The exhibition space and the number of exhibitors grew by 11%, compared to 2010, and the number of participant countries grew from 50 to 60.

EMITT, organised by EKIN (part of the ITE Group), sponsored

by THY-A.O., and in partnership with TUROFED-Turkish Hotels Federation and TYD-Tourism Investors Association, hosted many important business deals for 2011 onwards, involving participants and thousands of tourism companies from all over Turkey.

This makes EMITT officially the biggest exhibition in Turkey and the main exhibition for a market worth over USD 100 billion. n

Lidia Ivanova from Mega Travel and Apostolos Palakidis from Thraki Palace are together with Suat Tore

Ozge Tore; PR representative of S&M publication is together with Suat Tore

Air Arabia representatives at EMITT visited S&M Publication stand Deepa Rajesh; Manager of Air Arabia Holidays (left) and Nuket Angin Turkey Manager are together with Ozgur and Suat Tore.

From left: Tamer Bektas (Days Hotel), Irina Stepanova (Freestyle Safari), Mahir Gahramanov (Azerbaijan Tourism Ministry)

Birgul Ozek wants to welcome more tourists at Hotel Mare in Ayvalik, Turkey.

Alitalia took part at EMITT with its top executives from Istanbul office.

NewFocus March & April’2011

Focus On EXHIBITION

General view from EMITT Thailand attends EMITT with a well organized stand. Wiyada Srirangkul, Juthaporn Rerngronasa, and Tanes Petsuwan represent Thailand.

Muberra Eresin promoted Eresin Hotels with her staff.

Fatos Kutay promoted Etihad.

From left: Enrico Caradonna, and Francesco Veneziano promoted Blu-Express.

Banu Altay, Ferzan Unlusoy and Aybars Altay are promoting aiRep at EMITT-Istanbul.

Adnan Soyaslan presented their new hotel; Zeynep Golf Resort in Antalya.

Ali Onaran -Prontotour

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Focus On WORLD NEWS

Turkey is the Country Partner and New Focus is the Media Partner of AITF The country partner of AITF 2011, the Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair, has been decided. For the second consecutive year, it will be Turkey. As usual, the country’s tourism potential will be presented by a national stand at the exhibition. In addition, the list of exhibitors at AITF 2011 will include two major Turkish tour operators. New Focus Travel Magazine is also media partner of AITF this year.The AITF exhibition will take place on 28-30 April and is expected to feature over 200 companies from different parts of the world. For the first time, the exhibition will be

held in Baku Expo Centre. Owing to the success of last year’s show, we are confident that the exhibition will achieve further growth this year. One of the main achievements of AITF is that all the national groups which took part in the exhibition in 2010 pre-booked their stand for AITF 2011 a year in advance. The exhibition will present the national stands of Georgia, Greece, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Turkey and Czech Republic.This year marks the tenth anniversary of AITF. As the event approaches its tenth edition, it is encouraging that it is demonstrating good results, reflecting the increasing growth of Azerbaijan’s tourism industry. In connection with the anniversary, the organisers have prepared a special programme to accompany the exhibition.n

2nd Media Summit at ITB Berlin The public’s use of the media and the media’s influence on consumers’ buying decisions will be among the topics discussed at the second Media Summit at ITB Berlin, which is due to take place on 11 March 2011.

At the ITB Berlin Convention, which will be held at the world’s largest travel trade show, high-ranking members of the media and the tourism industry will debate whether colourful images in glossy magazines still continue to whet readers’ appetites for travelling abroad, and whether consumers base their decisions on the information they obtain from daily newspapers.

Against the backdrop of declining newspaper and magazine circulation figures, of the daily battle for TV ratings, and of the clearly unstoppable online media machine, and notwithstanding the end of the recession in Germany, the job of targeting customers remains crucial to achieving market success. The travel industry in particular must ask itself a decisive question: do consumers only listen to “friends” on social networks, or do they still trust traditional, good-quality journalism?

Jürgen Drensek, Chairman of the Association of German Travel Journalists, Christoph Engl, Director of Südtirol Marketing

Gesellschaft, Stefan Keuchel, Company Spokesman of Google Deutschland, Moritz von Laffert, Managing Director of Condé Nast Verlag Deutschland and Claus Strunz, Editor-in-Chief of Hamburger Abendblatt will take part in the second ITB Media Summit moderated by Hajo Schumacher, a journalist from Berlin.

Dr. Martin Buck, Director Competence Center Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin: “The media industry is facing massive change.

The aim of the ITB Media Summit is to provide impulses and to give answers to questions that the travel industry must ask itself with regard to mobile apps, the iPad, and other topics concerning the public’s use of the media.” A part of the ITB Berlin Convention, this event targets journalists, members of the media and of publishing companies, as well as advertising and marketing executives representing tour operators, the online travel industry, aviation, the hotel industry and tourism organisations.

The ITB Media Summit will take place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds in Hall 7.1b, Saal London, on Friday 11 march 2011 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is an initiative of ITB Berlin in cooperation with its partners news aktuell/dpa Gruppe, Landau Media Monitoring AG, and travel industry specialists w&p Wilde & Partner Public Relations. n

Join ATA at its 4th U.S.-Africa Tourism Seminar, Washington DC The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is expecting to bring more than 100 travel professionals and African diplomats interested in tourism to Africa together on March 11, 2011 for ATA’s Fourth Annual U.S.-Africa Seminar on Tourism to Africa.

The event will be held at the Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington DC as a kick-off to the two-day Travel and Adventure Show. Register today for the event! Join ATA at the event and get the most up-to-date

Acapulco to host 36th Tianguis Turistico in March Mexico’s premier tourism event; Tianguis Turistico is celebrating its 36th edition in 2011. Acapulco will once again host Tianguis Turistico between 26 and 28 March 2011.

Buyers consisting of Tour Operators, Wholesalers, Corporate and Incentive Travel Planners, Charter Operators, Associations and Travel Agents will have the opportunity to meet with more than 500 Suppliers of Mexico’s tourism related products and services in two and a half days of pre-scheduled business appointments.

For more information and registration visit www.tianguisturistico.com.mx n

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information on Africa’s travel industry and tourism products from speakers from the African Union Commission, American Tourism Society, Arik Air, CDC Development Solutions, The Bradford Group, Expedia, US Department of Commerce Office of Travel & Tourism Industries; Washington DC Travel & Adventure Show, and many more.

Representatives from Angola, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan and Uganda will also attend the event. n

Tourism Film Competition at the ITB-Cinema Das goldene Stadttor means an innovative show of best ideas of tourism. This is where new ideas are be shown to attract tourists.

Here will be shown the state of the art in film design to stay in memory forever. Innovatively ideas full of information and emotions to create curios recipients who instantly want to know more about the places.

New films of cities, countries and regions as well as hotels will be shown by the international film competition Das Goldene Stadttor - The golden city gate at the ITB-cinema during the ITB-Berlin from 09 till 13 March 2011 again. In the jury there are judges from politics, economy, sciences, art and touristics as well as the hotel and event management evaluating the actual contributions.

DM-SAT will report about the awards show, as already did BBC, CNN, Deutsche Welle TV . n

Focus On EXHIBITION

BIT - Milano The 31st edition of BIT 2011 - International Tourism Exchange – took place in Milan between 17 and 20 February 2011.

There was an increasing business mix at the BIT 2011 where travel professionals gathered at fieramilano’s exhibition location at Rho. On the weekend; 19 and 20 February BIT 2011 is opened to the public. BIT 2011 presented new travel products, services, new trends and emerging destinations.

Among the approximately 130 participating countries, Indonesia, Oman and Kazakhstan exhibited for the first time. Gambia and Seychelles made a strong return to BIT 2011. Turkey, India, and Japan strengthen their presence in the exhibition.

Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry Director of Promotion Cumhur Guven Tasbasi attended BIT 2011 and informed media about tourism between Turkey and Italy. Mr. Tasbasi said Turkey has a

rich history and has many historical sites. “Today, at 7 locations in Turkey, Italian archeologists work in 7 excavations. Moreover, Turkey became the guest country of Archeology Fair that will be held in November 2011 in Italy.

On the other hand, tourism between Italy and Turkey is growing. Mr. Tasbasi announced that 700 thousand Italians visited Turkey last year. “We would like to host one million Italian tourists this year.” Within this perspective Turkey started an advertisement campaign in Italy. Turkey poster hung at Milan’s famous cathedral Duomo of Milano.

Italy’s Minister for Tourism, Michela Vittoria Brambilla and Vice President of the European Commission for Industry and Enterprise, Antonio Tajani attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Speaking at the opening, Milan Mayor Letizia Moratti said that the city has become top European destination for business tourism and third for cultural tourism. And figures will grow as Expo 2015 approaches. n

Turkey attended BIT and promoted in Milan. Director of Promotion Cumhur Guven Tasbasi (middle) attended BIT 2011

Turkey advertisements at Duomo- Milano

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Turkey’s national carrier drew attention of Italians

Focus On EXHIBITION

Wiyada Srirangkul, Italy Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) promote relaxation and well-being with Thai massage

Turkey stand presented different scenario of Turkish destinations

Adil Akbasoglu and his son represented Allegro Tour.

Francesco Veneziano; Vice President Commercial and Franco Pecci; Chairman and CEO of Blue Panorama welcomed press at their stand.

Giancarlo Zeni; COO and Remo Della Porta; Vice President of Sales organized a press briefing

Libya attended BIT 2011

Turkey’s Italy specialist; Intra Tours attended BIT 2011 with a strong team that led with their CEO Ertugrul Arturo Karaoglu and Birhan Bilen; Asst. GM

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Focus On HOTELS

First DoubleTree by Hilton in Istanbul is Opened DoubleTree by Hilton today opened its first hotel in Turkey’s largest city, the DoubleTree by Hilton Istanbul-Old Town.

The 171-bedroom hotel is set in the heart of Istanbul’s old town on the Golden Horn peninsula, within walking distance of famous sights including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet and Topkapi Palace – all of which provide a glimpse into the fascinating history of a city which spans two continents. It is also the nearest hotel to the intriguing Grand Bazaar, where visitors can purchase exotic goods from Persian rugs and magical spices to leather

products and Turkish coffee. The hotel is easily accessible from Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (IST) just a 30-minute drive, as well as the city’s tram network and embarkation points for Bosphorus boat tours. n

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Expands in Turkey with Two New Hotels SweetSleeper(TM) beds, plus two restaurants, lobby lounge and bar, a fitness centre, pool and spa. The hotel will also comprise more than 1,700 square metres of ultra-modern meeting and event facilities, including a large ballroom and pre-function area plus five conference rooms, business centre and the brand’s signature Link@SheratonSM Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has signed experienced with Microsoft. The hotel will also feature agreements with Faik Celik Turizm, a division of Faik Celik Sheraton Club, providing guests with an upgraded experience Holding, to develop two new hotels in Turkey’s culturallyin the private Club Lounge. charged industrial centre.

The new Sheraton and Aloft hotels will inject a new range of The new Aloft Bursa will feature 133 urban-influenced accommodation to Bursa when they open in 2013. Located in king-size rooms with signature loft-like ceilings, over-sized an emerging business and upscale residential area adjacent windows and ultra-comfortable plush platform beds as well to the Bursa New Cultural Green Park and upcoming football as walk-in showers and Bliss(R) amenities. At every Aloft, savvy travellers can read the paper, work on their laptops stadium, Sheraton Bursa and Aloft Bursa will together add via complimentary hotel-wide wireless Internet access, play more than 300 rooms to this developing city.

Starwood currently operates five hotels in Turkey and plans a game of pool or grab a drink with friends at the sassy w to open two additional hotels in the country later this year. xyz bar. The re:chargeSM fitness centre gives travellers the opportunity to de-stress and re-energize, while re:fuel by This development marks the debut of Starwood in Bursa.

Aloft, a one stop food and beverage area, offers snacks and According to Roeland Vos, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa, and Middle East, these agreements beverages to grab & go, 24 hours a day.

With nearly 50 hotels open since its June 2008 debut, Aloft mark exciting milestones for Starwood’s continued growth Hotels has become the talk of the hospitality industry by throughout Central Eastern Europe. “Reaching out to new going global while in launch mode. Aloft currently operates frontiers is a focus of our expansion strategy, so we are hotels in six countries, including the United States, Canada, delighted to partner with Faik Celik Holding as we debut China, United Arab Emirates, India and Belgium. the first Starwood hotels in Bursa. The city of Bursa is evolving as a metropolitan centre of culture, industry, sport Starwood Hotels & Resorts currently operates five hotels throughout Turkey including three in Istanbul - W Istanbul and leisure, making it an ideal match for our unique and and Sheraton Istanbul Maslak Hotel and Sheraton Istanbul compelling brands.”

Atakoy Hotel. The company also operates the Sheraton Located on the south-east shore of Sea of Marmara, Cesme Hotel Resort and Spa, Sheraton Ankara Hotel & approximately 235 kilometres from Istanbul, Bursa is the Convention Centre and will open a Luxury Collection hotel in fastest growing city in Turkey with a young population the capital later this year. Other new developments include attracted by opportunities in its textile and automotive Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler, also scheduled to open at the industries, as well as the tourism and sports sectors. end of this year. n The new Sheraton Bursa Hotel will feature 171 guest rooms, including 47 executive rooms and 10 suites, all with

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Prince Hotel: 5-star Accommodation in the Heart of Kuala Lumpur unforgettable experience, with a delectable variety and special level of service and smiles at every outlet.

Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur also features an integrated conference and meeting area on a dedicated floor, consisting the pillar-free Grand Prince Ballroom and Prince Ballroom surrounded by 9-separate function rooms that can accommodate up to 1500 people.

The conference and meeting facilities include the latest state-of-the-art technology and telecommunication systems, powerful broadband services and wireless internet access, audio¬visual presentation tools; backed by a team of highly trained individuals. In addition, the Business Centre provides wireless broadband internet access, individual work stations, private boardrooms for meetings as well as professional rince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur is a secretarial and administration services. luxurious international 5-star hotel and residence Whilst the cosy Business Lounge adjacent to the Business located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Mere Centre is an ideal setting for informal discussion. The Executive minutes from the city’s best shopping, dining and Privileges provide guests with exclusivity benefits to further entertainment, Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala enhance their stay with us.

Lumpur promises luxury and comfort for even the For a more relaxing haven, the Recreational Floor features a most discerning of travellers. well-landscaped swimming pool with a Tropical Garden for Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur is strategically located a peaceful retreat, a Fitness Centre with the latest work-out in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle and the Central Business equipment and studio and exclusive to our young guests, the District. The Hotel & Residence is opposite the award winning Kids Club complemented with kids activities and entertainment, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur’s latest shopping mall whilst Mandara Spa for a totally rejuvenating experience with and only a short stroll away from the famous Petronas Twin its exotic spa treatment range.

Towers, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Suria KLCC Shopping The award winning Mandara Spa at Prince Hotel & Residence Mall, Prince Court Medical Centre, Bintang Walk-entertainment Kuala Lumpur, is a resort-style city spa, with Balinese design hub, Bukit Bintang shopping district and close proximity influences and a menu that blends traditional Asian treatments to Embassy Row, Jalan Ampang as well as Jalan Tun Razak with the latest spa techniques and products. Located on the commercial area.

Recreational Floor and next to the hotel pool area, the spa There are a total of 448 stylish and superbly appointed guest comprises two double Grand Suites, two double Villa Rooms, rooms and nine room types from the Deluxe Room, Superior four single rooms, separate male and female relaxation lounges, Deluxe Room, Superior Deluxe KLCC view Room, Grand Deluxe reception area and waiting lounge as well as the male and Room, Premier Executive Room, Executive Suite, Deluxe female changing areas complete with steam rooms. Treatment Executive Suite, Junior Prince Suite and Prince Suite. Distinctive room features include steam showers, oversized bathtubs and in-room features are incorporated into each room which relaxation areas, while the relaxation lounges and several of includes broadband internet access, multi features phones the treatments rooms offer panoramic Kuala Lumpur city views whilst business travelers may opt for rooms with a workstation from the tenth floor. desk complete with built-in power switches.

Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur, a member of Complementing the Hotel & Residence’s chic and innovative WORLHOTELS, is also affiliated to the Prince Hotels & Resorts, range of food and beverage facilities are; the Eccucino, the an international chain hotels & resorts under Prince Hotels, Inc, award winning Tai Zi Heen Chinese Restaurant and ENJU Japan. Prince Hotels, Inc has a total of 50 international hotels & Japanese Restaurant, Mezzanine Bar and Lounge, Fidel’s Cigar resorts in Japan and 8 international chains in Hawaii, Taiwan & Room and Terrace Pool Bar and Grill. Every meal will prove an Malaysia.

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Visit and Shop

40 Days and 40 Nights in Istanbul

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hopaholics will be thrilled to hear that Istanbul’s first-ever shopping fest will be held for 40 days between 18 March and 26 April 2011 when shops and shopping malls will be kept open for 24 hours! All together an astonishing 90 shopping centres and popular shops in Taksim, Nisantasi, Sisli, Bakirkoy, Fatih, Bahariye and Bagdat Street have been earmarked for participating in the fest which will launch Istanbul as a major shopping destination.

Istanbul Shopping Fest will be organized between March 18 and April 26, 2011.

Shops and shopping malls will be open till morning in several districts of Istanbul. People will be able to shop 24 hours a day in Istanbul during nearly one month.

Different special prizes and ‘‘Win a Auto Every Day’’ campaigns are expected to attract tourists to Istanbul.

Beside the 90 shopping centers, several

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popular shops at Taksim, Nisantası, Sisli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Bahariye, and Bagdat street will stage several street activities.

Hundreds gathered to watch a different music shows and entertainment display on Taksim, Nisantası, Sisli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Bahariye and Bagdat streets of Istanbul.

And Istanbul continues the theme of ‘‘ the city that never sleeps’’ This massive organization, which will take place between March 18 and April 26 will be revealing all the lively colors of Istanbul through joyous occasions, history, delight and entertainment.

Istanbul Shopping Fest will be hosting thousands of visitors from all around the world. Aside from the opening and closing events, there are many activities planned at shopping malls and stores, which will stay open till late hours. The festival’s glamorous spirit will take over shopping malls as well

as the high streets of Istanbul; Abdi Ipekçi, Istiklal and Bagdat Streets. The entertainment will continue for 40 days with street festivals, concerts, shows, games for kids, parties, contests and fashion shows. The opportunities are not limited to these as those in Istanbul during the festival have the chance to shop from the newest collections at discounted prices. On top of that, during long shopping nights, it will be possible to shop till 02.00am and enjoy Istanbul at its most fabulous self.

With surprise sweepstakes and contents via text messages to win gifts, the organization will make shopping more exciting than ever for both local and foreign shoppers. For tourists the excitement is doubled as they will have the privilege of tax-free shopping up to 30%, hence making Istanbul more and more appealing.

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What to visit

at Asian side of Istanbul There are two main district in Asian side of Istanbul. Kadıköy and Üsküdar. There are lots of scheduled ferries from European side to both districts in 24 hours. You can also use Bosphorus bridges by car and taxis.

Üsküdar Üsküdar is the old Anatolian side of Istanbul, the former suburb of Scutari. While most of the Anatolian side is largely newer and a side from a few buildings here and there, dates

from the late-19th century and up, with the largest part by far being later 20th century, Üsküdar has a lot of old buildings and is similar to the old city.

Beylerbeyi Palace It was used as the summer palace of the Ottoman sultans. It was ordered by the Sultan Abdulaziz and built between 1861-1865 by head architects Sarkis Balyan and Agop Balyan, imperial architects of Armenian origins, in French neo-baroque style with a traditional Ottoman house plan. Important foreign guests visiting the Ottoman Empire were accommodated in this palace during the summer months. It can be considered as a smaller version of Dolmabahce Palace, but due to its limited seasonal use, it had no great importance.

The palace has a rectangular plan with the long side facing the Bosphorus. There are 6 large halls and 24 rooms on two floors raised on a service basement which was originally used as a kitchen and storage. The palace is divided into mens’ section (Selamlik) and womans’ section (Harem) having separate entrances for both. The Selamlik was used for State functions therefore was very ornate, meanwhile the Harem was reserved only to the ladies and with a simple decoration.

The palace gardens are available for private receptions upon advance application to the Ministry of Tourism.

Küçüksu Mansion It takes place in Kücüksu in Istanbul. It is on seaside and 10km far from Üsküdar. It is between Kücüksu and Göksu watercourses in the Bosphorus.

It was built in 1856 by Nigogos Balyan with direction of Sultan Abdülmecit. It is a mansion in which the Sultans rest. They do not live in that mansion continuously, they only rest in there. That magnificent building was a boarding mansion used for rest and hunting.

You can’t take photograph inside the mansion , but you can find and buy some photographs of both inside and outside of the Küçüksu Mansion.

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Anadoluhisarı Castle AnadoluHisarı is an fortress located on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and the area around it is called Asian Bosphorus. The castle was constructed by Sultan Beyazit in the year 1395 as a watch tower and this was a part of his preparations to annex the Constantinople area. The castle underwent many changes in architecture and thus looks different from its original design. The Turkish government took over the restoration processes and today it stands as a museum, however it is not available for public viewing.

Mihrimah Sultan Mosque Among the first things you see upon arriving by ferry at Üsküdar are the two mosques on either side of the ferry port, both designed by famous architect Sinan. The larger one is the Mihrimah Sultan Mosque, sometimes called the Iskele (Dock) Mosque, built by a daughter of Süleyman the Magnificent; the smaller one is the Semsi Pasha Mosque, which was built in 1581 by a vizier of Süleyman›s.

The Mihrimah Sultan Mosque built between 1546 and 1548 and is a massive structure on a raised platform and already shows several hallmarks of Sinan›s mature style: a spacious, high-vaulted basement, slender minarets, a single-domed baldacchino flanked by three semi-domes ending in three exedra and a broad double portico.

Çamlıca Hill Çamlıca Hill stands about four kilometers east of Uskudar and can be reached by car. It is the highest point in the vicinity of Istanbul, 267 meters above sea level. It has a small teahouse in the midst of the pine grove which gives the peak its name. From here, there is an absolutely magnificent view, which makes it well worth the climb.

In the morning when the sun is still easterly one has a panoramic sight of the whole city, the Bosphorus almost as far as the Black Sea, the Marmara Sea with the Princes Islands, and behind that, the great snow covered ridge of Uludag, the Bithynian Olympus. Toward evening the sun sets almost directly behind Istanbul and its domes and minarets are silhouetted against the flaming western sky like a splendid stage drop.

Yeni Valide Mosque This large mosque is just inland on the left as you arrive by ferry in Uskudar. It was built between the 1708 and 1710 by Emetullah Rabia Gülnüs Sultan, mother of Sultan Ahmed III. The main part of the building is square in shape and covered with a flattened main dome and four half domes. The mosque has two minarets with two balconies each.

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Kadıköy Kadıköy is one of the fastest growing districts in Istanbul for the last 25 years, it has areas of up-market shopping with fashionable shops, fine dining and entertainment making it popular especially for wealthy local people. Nice promenades along the waterside, especially around the marinas and yacht clubs, add value to the district.

Bagdad Avenue is one of the most trendy shopping and dining place here, many cafeterias are full of locals and young people enjoying their life. Moda neighborhood is also famous for its restaurants and cafeterias. Kalamıs and Fenerbahçe neighborhoods have a nice marina and several yacht clubs, and there is a huge stadium of Fenerbahce soccer team here as well.

Selimiye Army Barracks

Haydarpasa Train Station

Selimiye army barracks in Harem neighborhood and the Marmara high school are the most impressive buildings from late Ottoman period, besides Haydarpasa station. During the Crimean War in the 19th century, Florence Nightingale served at Selimiye as a nurse and today her room is preserved as a museum.

Haydarpasa train station, built in 1906 in the Prussian architectural style, is connecting Istanbul to the east of Turkey by railways. It was the last stop of the Istanbul-Baghdad railway. Next to the station, there is the commercial harbor of the city with many cranes and silos.

Where to Shop

at Asian side of Istanbul Capitol Shopping Center Capitol Shopping Center opened 1993 in Altunizade quarter of Üsküdar, is the first modern big shopping mall on the Asian part of Istanbul.

Built on 6 floors and covering an area of 73,000 m², the shopping complex features 157 retail stores, a department store and a supermarket, 8 movie theaters, fast food restaurants, cafeterias, bowling alley and entertainment center.

It houses also Capitol Radio, a private radio station broadcasting from the complex. It has an open air and covered parking lot.

Several cafes in the spacious area around a huge central spring fountain enable customers to socialize and relax during shopping.

The mall is visited by 1 million people monthly. Visitors are mainly from the east bank districts of the city.

Tepe Nautilus

Tepe Nautilus is the first thematic shopping mall of Turkey. The mall has been opened in 2002, and hosts a various selection of stores for every taste and budget as well as restaurants, fast-food chains and cafés offering flavors from the Turkish or the international cuisine. 112 stores and 25 stands, the smart, hi-tech and toll-free parking lot along with the gym and the movie theater altogether provide the visitors with a huge range of options. Tepe Nautilus is located on the Asian Side; 45 and 35km. to the Atatürk Airport and the Sabiha Gökçen Airport respectively.

Address

Address

Mahir Iz Caddesi 34662 Altunizade

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Via/Port Outlet Shopping Via/Port Outlet is located 3km to the Sabiha Gökçen Airport. It is the particular choice of those who prefer remote accommodation as it includes the Via Hotel and the Via/Port Convention & Expo. This huge complex serves both as an outlet and a recreational center while contributing to the fair and tourism sectors thus introducing the European and the American outlet concept to Istanbul. The Outlet offers products for every age group, budget and style with a brand collection at 184 stores. Cappadocia stones has been exclusively brought for the construction of Via/Port -a major architectural piecewhile the Via Bedesten dome, inspired from the Nuruosmaniye Gate of the Grand Bazaar, is among the largest in Turkey.

Address

Yenisehir Mah., Dedepasa Cad., No: 19, Pendik

What to visit

at European side of Istanbul Blue Mosque Known as the ‘Sultan Ahmet Mosque’ by local people, it was built by Sultan Ahmet in 1609 and completed in 7 years, although foreigners have taken to calling it the ‘ Blue Mosque ‘ because of the beautiful blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior. The architect who oversaw its design was Sedefkar Mehmet Aga, better known as a student of Sinan (the greatest architect ever seen in the Ottoman Empire). Not only was it built to serve as a mosque, but its huge surrounding complex also held a medrese (theological school), turbe (tomb), hospital, caravaserai, primary school, public kitchen and market, although the hospital and caravanserai were destroyed in the nineteenth century. After the public kitchens were destroyed in a fire in 1970, they were restored and incorporated into the School of Industrial Art. It presently serves as the Dean’s Office for the Marmara University.

Saint Sophia This massive 6th century building is the third church to be built at the same location. The first church was built in 360 AD but burnt down in 404, during the reign of Constantinus. The second was erected between the years 404-415, but shared the same fatal destiny as the first one, burning down during the Nika revolt in 532, during the reign of Justinian.

After these riots, a new structure (the current one standing) was ordered from two famous architects - Isidorus and Anthemeios. It was completed and opened to the public on December 26th in 537, on the St. Stephen’s day. However, the dome collapsed twenty years later and it had to be rebuilt by the nephew of the first architect. He opened up the dome by giving it 40 windows along its parameter. Although there were partial collapses of the dome in 989 and 1346, the shape of the dome today remains as it was then.

It served as a church until the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Mehmet II. Once he took power, he gave the order to convert the church into a mosque. After this conversion, Islamic additions were

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made inside and outside. The minarets, a mihrab, mimber, muezzin’s lodge, sultan’s lodge and library are all from this period.

In 1935, twelve years after Turkish Republic had been established, by the order of Kemal Ataturk it became a museum and remains so today. Aya Sofya, the Church of Divine Wisdom, stands as one of the landmarks of the city.

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Topkapı Palace When the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, Mehmet II, the Conqueror, did not take to the Byzantine Palaces, so he built his own palace where the main buildings of Istanbul University currently stand. This palace is now known as the old palace (eski saray) as it was soon in disuse. Sultan Mehmet began to build Topkapi Palace in 1459 including the Harem and the fourth courtyard. The rest of the palace was built 6 years later. He adjusted the Byzantine city walls around the walls of the palace. In fact, the palace takes its name from the main sea gate in these defensive walls (‘Topkapi’ = Canon Gate). The palace is mainly divided into four courtyards: The first courtyard is known as the courtyard of the Janissaries, who acted as one of the branches of the Ottoman army.

They were formed from boys who had been taken from their families at the ages of 9-16, during the Ottoman conquests in Europe. In this courtyard there are three important buildings: Aya Eirine (the Church of Divine Peace), the mint / outer treasury of the Ottoman Empire and the Istanbul

Archaeological Museum.

The second courtyard served as the official section of the palace, holding the imperial kitchens, bakery, storage rooms and the divan (chamber of the Viziers).

The third courtyard opens with the Arz Odasi (audience hall for visitors to the Sultan). There are also rooms of the Enderun (palace school), and various sections displaying the ceremonial dresses of the Ottoman Sultans, holy relics, the portraits of the sultans, a library and the Treasury.

The fourth court is more of a garden than a courtyard, built on varying levels decorated by kiosks or pavilions.

The Baghdad and Revan Pavilions, Mecidiye Kosk and a mosque can all be found here.

Yerebatan Cistern Yerebatan Cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It is situated close to the Haghia Sophia entrance, across the street and the tramway lines. It is a huge cistern, it has 143 x 65 meters and 336 columns. There are three spots that are particularly popular, two Medusa heads supporting columns (one of them is a spot where people will throw coins in, hoping to return someday), another is a column with a peacock feather motive (compare the columns lying along the road near the Laleli tramway stop) where someone had the bright idea of suggesting that putting your finger in a little hole and turning your hand will make a wish come true. The cistern was used as a location for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love.

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Galata Tower Galata Tower has dominated Beyoglu’s skyline since 1348 and still offers the best panoramic views of the city. Above, the Golden Horn, Seraglio Point and Old Istanbul as seen from Galata Tower Originally named the Tower of Christ, it was the highpoint in the city walls of the Genoese colony called Galata. Most of the walls are long gone, but the great tower remains.

Until the 1960s it was a fire lookout tower. Now the upper floors hold an uninteresting restaurant-nightclub, and a panorama balcony.

The panorama balcony, encircling the highest row of windows, is narrow, open to the weather, and not recommended for anyone suffering from acrophobia (fear of heights).

Rumelihisarı Castle Built in 1452 by Sultan Mehmet II prior to the conquest of Istanbul, his aim was to block any possible sea support which might have come from the Black Sea to assist the flailing Byzantines. Therefore, it was to be situated on the narrowest point of the Bosphorus strait, facing another smaller fortress already erected on the Asian side. The construction work finished after 4 months and 19 days. Now it serves as a museum, displaying the canons that were used during the conquest. There is also an outdoor mini-amphi-theater used during the various music festivals in Istanbul.

Süleymaniye Mosque Built by the greatest architect of the Ottoman Empire - Sinan, between 1550 -1557, Suleymaniye Mosque stands as undoubtedly his greatest work in Istanbul. Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, who enjoyed the longest reign in the Ottoman Empire, between 1520-1566, gave the order for its construction. The mosque also holds the tombs of the Sultan and his lover Hurrem (Roxelana).

Where to Shop

at European side of Istanbul The Grand Bazaar The Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar) in Istanbul is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 4,000 shops which attract between 250,000 and half a million visitors daily The grand bazaar began construction in 1455 and opened in 1461. It is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops. Many of the stalls in the bazaar are grouped by the type of goods, with special areas for leather coats, gold jewelry and the like.

The bazaar contains two bedestens (domed masonry structures built for storage and safe keeping), the first of which was constructed between 1455 and 1461 by the order of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The bazaar was vastly enlarged in the 16th century, during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, and in 1894 underwent a major

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restoration following an earthquake. Today, the grand bazaar houses two mosques, two hamams, four fountains, and multiple restaurants and cafes. The sprawling complex consists of 12 major buildings and has 22 doors.

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The Spice Bazaar The Spice Bazaar, (Egyptian Bazaar) in Istanbul, is one of the oldest bazaars in the city. Located in Fatih, in the neighborhood of Eminönü, it is the second largest covered shopping complex after the Grand Bazaar.

There are several documents suggesting the name of the bazaar was first “New Bazaar”. However, due to the fact that many spices were imported via Egypt in the Ottoman period, the name “Mısır Çarsısı» was favored by the public. The word mısır has a double meaning in Turkish: “Egypt” and “maize”. This is why sometimes the name is wrongly translated as “Corn Bazaar”. The bazaar was (and still is) the center for spice trade in Istanbul.

Kanyon The favorite destination of those who are bored of the indoor shopping concept, Kanyon holds a particular position with a rich outdoor collection of brands and an extraordinary architecture.

Standing out thanks to the food & beverage spots and recreational spaces at the same time, Kanyon has been providing a living space at the center of the city since 2006. The mall hosts a wide range of 150 stores from luxury wear to sportswear appealing to all sorts of tastes along with many restaurants and a recreational space while providing extra service spaces like the parking lot, a drugstore, a hairdresser, the dry cleaner’s and the tailor’s shop as well as a shoe shining parlor. Among the other services are foreign currency exchange, the baby-care room and the concierge. Kanyon also stands out with its gym, spa and the 3D movie theater.

Address

Büyükdere Cad., No: 185, Levent

Palladium Shopping Mall Palladium has been in service since 2008. It is a popular destination of the Asian Side thanks to 188 stores, a 2500-capacity parking lot, a rich collection of brands and its location. The stores generally focus on garments. Among the extra services of Palladium are the parking lot, the drugstore, dry cleaning and shoeshining.

Address

Barbaros Mah., Halk Cad., No: 8-B, Atasehir, 34746

Metrocity Shopping Mall Metrocity is a 170-store mall hosting branches of many Turkish and international brands. The subway stop beneath is just a great advantage for Metrocity, where everyone could find something for any budget. Among the Mall’s services are the parking lot, the drugstore, dry cleaning and shoe-shining as well as the gym and the spa. And the ice rink is just a well-planned privilege for those looking for a different kind of activity.

Address

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Historia Fatih Shopping Mall The first and only shopping mall on the Historical Peninsula, Historia stands out with a bright atmosphere and spacious decorations. The Tax Free Point at the Mall makes the place even more attractive particularly for foreign tourists. Historia hosts 80 individual concept stores ranging from garment to technological goods. Offering many food & beverage options for any taste, the Mall also provides other services such as car wash, shoe-shining, a drugstore, the tailor’s and dry cleaning as well as a prayer room. The place is just as attractive as the Historical Peninsula, itself thanks to the bowling alley, the Cinebonus movie theater and the kids’ playgrounds along with the fashion shows, live performances and celebrity signings organized on special occasions.

Address

Adnan Menderes Bulvarı, No: 2, Fatih,

212 Istanbul Power Outlet 212 Istanbul Power Outlet hosts thousands of people every day with a spacious architecture at 130 outlet stores. The Outlet houses clothing, accessory and footwear stores as well as household and construction markets like Carrefour, Media Markt and Praktiker. Located 13 and 63 km to the Atatürk Airport and the Sabiha Gökçen Airport respectively, the mall includes a 3000 meter square kids’ playground along with the dry cleaner’s, a parking lot and a movie theater. 212 Istanbul Power Outlet is accessible by car.

Address

Mahmutbey Merkez Mah., Tasocagı Cad., No: 5, Bagcılar,

City’s Shopping Mall Located in Nisantası, which is synonymous with shopping, City’s is the place to go for quite a lot of Turkish and international brands. On top of the location and the rich brand collection, the Mall has a lot to offer as far as quality restaurants including some of the major food & beverage spots of Istanbul. There are also many restaurants and cafés in the surrounding area, which is just ideal for those who want to have a fine dining experience before or after shopping. Among the other services are the grocery, the tailor’s and the dry cleaner’s.

Address

Tesvikiye Cad., No: 162, Nisantası

Astoria Shopping Mall Standing out with its central location, Astoria is located 21 and 39,7km. to the Atatürk Airport and the Sabiha Gökçen Airport respectively. Opened on January 23, 2008, the 7-storey Shopping Mall owns the highest twin-atriums of Europe. Astoria hosts 110 stores primarily focusing on clothing, accessories and footwear. The quite varied food & beverage options range from fast-food to quality restaurants. Among the other services of Astoria are the parking lot, the drugstore, dry cleaning and shoe-shining.

It’s an ideal location for different activities thanks to the

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gym, the movie theater and the spa. The Cinebonus movie theater is among the particular ones in Istanbul with a hightech system and the surrounding glass walls which enable city view from the inside. On top of that, Astoria issues the Benefit Club Card -the most inclusive shopping mall card ever- which offers exclusive discounts at prestigious stores, extra card points and surprise gifts.

Address

Astoria Kuleleri; Büyükdere Cad., No: 127, B Blok Kat:-3, Esentepe

Focus On AIRLINES

The First Concession Fee is paid for Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

The Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport’s first concession fee payment totaled €76,514,851 is paid by the consortium that is comprised of Malaysia Airports, GMR Infrastructure Limited and Limak Group of Turkey.

The consortium signed a Build-Operate-Transfer Model for Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SGIA) Terminal Building and its Complementaries with the Turkish Government. Within this perspective first concession fee payment is paid yesterday to the Turkey’s Under-secretariat for Defense Industries.

A ceremony organized for the payment at SGIA Airport Hotel with the participation of Chairman of SGIA’s Board

of Directors; Nihat Özdemir, SGIA and Limak Group Board Member Ebru Özdemir, SGIA Board Member and GMR CEO for Turkey Cenk Alpsoy, SGIA CEO Gökhan Bugday, and executives from SGIA. The new Terminal Building at the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport is built to enable the airport to cater up to 15 million passengers per annum.

Last year, the airport broke records by handling 11.6 million passengers.

The total concession fee is €1.93 Billion and is structured over a 20 year concession period, with no concession fees payable in first three years. n

Air Arabia Unveils UAE Visa Service Designed for Turkey Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa and in partnership with IVS Global Services launched a unique UAE visa service designed for Turkey. For the first time, Turkish passengers will be able to apply for their visa to the UAE through multiple easily accessible channels.

Air Arabia has launched this product in partnership with IVS Global Services. Passengers can now apply for their e-visas in four easy ways.

Buy tickets and apply for the visa online from the comfort of their homes Visit any Air Arabia sales shop. A one stop shop for Visa and Hotel assistance, flight bookings and car rental.

For the first time, a travel agency can apply for a UAE visa right from their office. Air Arabia has a strong distribution network of travel agents who will be authorized to offer visa services Speaking at the occasion, AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia said, ‘We now connect Istanbul to the UAE with four weekly flights and the launch of this visa service is to help accommodate the significant increase in visa requests from across Turkey. Air Arabia has witnessed a steady year-on-year growth in travel from Istanbul to the

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UAE. This step is a further commitment from Air Arabia to offer value for money air travel solutions and the very highest standards of service”.

New Airbus A320 aircraft, the best leg room of any economy class travel, free hotel and car assistance are just some of the benefits of flying Air Arabia. Air Arabia’s main base is Sharjah International Airport, ideally situated for customers to enjoy the benefits of quick access to Dubai, fast checkin processes, low congestion, friendly airport staff and convenient connection timings. Bookings can be easily made via the company’s website www.airarabia.com or appointed travel agents. n

Focus On AIRLINES

Alitalia and China Eastern Partnership Introduces New Direct Flights The Chairman of Alitalia Roberto Colaninno, the CEO of Alitalia Rocco Sabelli and the Chairman of China Eastern Ma Xulun presented the new direct flights between Italy and China, operated in codesharing by Alitalia and China Eastern and launched within the framework of a partnership agreement between the two companies.

The new flights will connect Rome with the two main Chinese cities, Beijing, the political capital and Shanghai, the economic capital: During summer 2011, China Eastern will start the new flights between Rome and Shanghai in codesharing with Alitalia.

There will be 4 weekly flights operated with the Airbus A340,

configured in 3 travel classes; Starting 1 June, Alitalia will operate new flights between Rome and Beijing in codesharing with China Eastern. There will be 4 weekly flights (5 starting in October) operated with the Airbus A330, configured in 3 travel classes.

Thanks to these new services, Alitalia will strengthen its operations in the Far East (where the Company today is the only carrier offering direct service between Italy and Japan) and China Eastern (one of the most important Asian carriers) will launch its operations on the Italian market In 2010 China became the second largest economy in the world with a GDP larger than Japan’s. According to IATA, the International Air Transport Association, in the next 3 years China will be the country that will contribute the most to the growth of world air transport traffic with an increase of 214 million passengers out of the total increase of 800 million forecast at the world level.

The agreement between the two companies provides for the extension of the codesharing to the main Italian and Chinese domestic destinations. It also identifies further areas for cooperation in the handling, maintenance and cargo sectors as well as the respective customer loyalty programmes.

Moreover, the cooperation between Alitalia and China Eastern consolidates the SkyTeam alliance’s position on the Asian market.

Alitalia is already part of the alliance and China Eastern will join during 2011. The partnership also represents a further step in Alitalia’s strategy to connect Italy with the most important worldwide destinations for traditional tourism and business. n

Emirates AeroMobile Service Set to Reach 5 Million Users Emirates’ inflight mobile phone service provider AeroMobile, is expected to register its five millionth user in first week of March 2011.

The world’s leading airline for mobile phone services onboard, Emirates has seen a 38 percent increase in passengers switching on their mobile phones and connecting to the service in the last 12 months.

The AeroMobile system allows passengers to use their own mobile phones to make and receive phone calls and text messages from Emirates aircraft in flight, just as they would on the ground. Over 220 Emirates flights per day currently offer the AeroMobile service.

“Since AeroMobile was introduced on our flights in March 2008, we have witnessed a remarkable rise in passenger usage. Reaching the five million user mark is a significant milestone for Emirates and showcases exactly how popular the service has become,” said Patrick Brannelly, Emirates Vice President Corporate Communications Product, Publishing, Digital and Events. n

NewFocus March & April’2011

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Focus On AIRLINES

Blu-express Expands Services to Turkey Mr. Francesco Veneziano announced new flights between Italian and Turkish cities as well as new destinations of Blue Panorama are also revealed.

Blue Panorama and Blu–express announced new destinations in Turkey at BIT-Milan. The copmany will start to Antalya and Bodrum flights in July 2011 and will continue until mid of September.

Blu-express.com by Blue Panorama Airlines is the only lowcost airline based in Rome’s Fiumicino airport.

It is a young, dynamic and enterprising airline which relies on the experience of Blue Panorama Airlines - the second longhaul fleet in Italy and the first European company to order Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner.

Our offer is a mix of new and exciting proposals, all “made in Italy”. Blu-Express.com offers the best cost-services balance, for tourism as well as for business travel.

Low cost flying with Blu-Express.com is also comfortable flying: our Boeing 737 aircraft offer reclining leather seats, and our on-board staff is always available to endeavour to satisfy all customer requirements. n

AiRep Announced Special All Inclusive fares to Kuwait AiRep Istanbul announced irresistible fares to Kuwait by Wataniya Airways.

Premium Economy tickets are starting from 320euro, BusinessFirst tickets are starting from 630euro. n

AVIAREPS Services Start in Turkey AVIAREPS, the global airline and tourism management company, continues its course of steady expansion. So far the European AVIAREPS network consists of 19 offices. Now, the renowned representation group is activating Turkey as a new market for its customers. This decision to incorporate a subsidiary office in Istanbul was made based on thorough market analyses mirroring the potential for both the aviation and the tourism industries.Altug Bekdemir, the recently appointed General Manager, will be in charge of overseeing the smooth conduct of business

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in Turkey. The reputable airline and tourism professional is bringing more than 20 years of industry experience. After graduating in Journalism & PR, Bekdemir started his career in the hotel sector. Subsequently he gained valuable expertise working in various Country Manager positions for Austrian Airlines. Besides his professional know-how, Bekdemir is a linguistic multi-talent, having a command of four languages (Turkish, English, German and Russian).Michael Gaebler, CEO and Chairman of the AVIAREPS group, considers the latest expansion to Turkey as very important to further strengthen the company’s presence in Europe. He explains: “We greatly appreciate the addition of more manpower and expertise to our AVIAREPS family. By approaching Turkey, we are opening a new representation office in the fastest growing nation within Europe. More and more Turkish people are looking to see the world – and our company group mission is to bring the world to people.”“I am happy to join such a professional team, with global experience and know-how in the field of airline representation as well as marketing for tourism destinations, airports and hotel chains. AVIAREPS will meet industry expectations with ‘high quality and successful results’ and will help Turkish people travel and discover the world with new opportunities (new airlines, new hotel chains, new destinations),” adds Altug Bekdemir, who will be in charge of developing the Turkish market for the international aviation and tourism business of AVIAREPS.

Your $600 Billion Sport Tourism Opportunity

We predict that this will be the era of Sport Tourism and those not positioned to take advantage of this phenomenon are urged to quickly align – or lose out TALEB RIFAI, SECRETARY-GENERAL, UNITED NATIONS WTO National, Regional and City Tourist Boards with a Sport Tourism portfolio, Hotels and Resorts offering sporting facilities, Tour Operators and Major Travel Providers are urged to participate in this must attend industry gathering.

Please Contact - Email: info@sporttourismexpo.com / Tel: +44 (0)20 7925 0000

27-29 SEPTEMBER 2011 Bangkok Convention Centre Bangkok, Thailand www.sporttourismexpo.com

Destinasyon Kamboçya

Tebrikler Kamboçya

Uzak Doğunun Parlayan

K

ambocya’ya daha önce 2006 ve 2007 yılında düzenledikleri AITEX turizm fuarları için iki kez gitmiştim.

Bu fuarlar sonrasında düzenlenen tanıma turlarında ülkeyi az da olsun görebilme şansı yakalamıştık.

UNESCO listelerine girmis görkemli Angkor Wat’ a evsahipligi yapan Siem Reap ve başkent Phnom Penh de birkaç turistik tesis dışında konaklama yapılacak yer azlığı, yetersiz yol ve ulaşım olanakları, yeme içme mekanlarının ve turistik

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atraksiyonların neredeyse hiç olmaması dikkatimizi çekmişti.

Ocak ayında bu kez Asya’nın en önemli turizm etkinliği olan Asya Turizm Forumu ( ATF ) nedeniyle iki haftaya yakın bir süre bu ülkede tekrar bulunduk. Geride kalan 4 yıl icinde Kamboçya turizmde büyük ilerleme kaydetmiş. Uluslararası otel zincirleri başta Siem Reap ve başkent Phnom Penh’e yepyeni tesisler kazandırmışlar. Sahil

bölgesindeki Sihanuk şehrinde Batı örneklerinden hiçbir eksiği olmayan yeni resort tesisler, golf alanları yaratmışlar. Gerek şehir içinde gerekse şehirlerarası yollarda büyük yenilemelere gitmişler. Şehir içinde bölgenin trafiğini kaos’a çeviren motorsikletler yerini son model araçlara bırakmış. Yeni, modern yollar ve araçlar ile ulaşım olanakları gelişmiş. ABD’nin en pahalı arabaları arasında sayılan ve sahip olunması bir itibar göstergesi

Destinasyonu olan son model Lexus otomobil ve ciplerini ABD de bile, aynı anda bu kadar fazla sayıda görmemiştik.

Turistin otel dısındaki zamanını değerlendireceği turistik hizmet veren işletmelerin sayıları artmış ve hatta Las Vegas benzeri tesisler ile turizmlerine yeni alternatifler de kazandırmışlar. Kaliteli dekorasyonları ile restoran, bar ve kafeler, modern alışveriş merkezleri ile birlikte, gelen turist sayılarını da artırmışlar. Bu gelişim ile önceki

yıl misafir ettikleri 1.5 milyon turist sayısı 2010 sonunda %100 artmış.

Bir hafta boyunca ATF nedeniyle 32 ülkeden toplam 1600 delege 442 uluslararası buyer, 148 media ve 10 Asya ülkesinden gelen 500 ün üstünde katılımcı kuruluş, Kamboçya’lı turizmciler ve turizme gönül vermiş Kambocyalı öğrencilerin birebir ilgileri ile ağırlandılar. 11 Asya ülkesinin Turizm bakanlarının karsılıklı

çeşitli anlaşmalara imza attıkları bu toplantılar ile bu ülkeler turizm kararlarını ortak olarak yürütüyorlar.

Karşılıklı vize anlaşmaları, ortak tur organizasyonları, yatırım işbirliği anlaşmaları bu toplantılarda çıkan sonuçlar.

ATF her yıl farklı bir ülkenin ev sahipliğinde gerçekleşiyor.

Bu yıl Kamboçya mükemmel organizasyonu ile dikkat çekti.

Konaklamalardan post turlara NewFocus March & April’2011

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Destinasyon Kamboçya kadar herşey aksaksız yürütüldü.

Küçük ayrıntılara kadar herşey düşünülmüş. Bu ülkede trafik büyük sorundu. Ancak alınan önlemler ile bu sorun hiç yaşanmadı. Modern fuar merkezine yakın otellerde konaklayan her bir konuk için yolda trafik sıkışıklığından etkilenmemesi için motorlu eskort trafik polisi tahsis etmişler. Belirlenen transfer saatleri dışında, tek başınıza otelinize yada havaalanına gitmek isteseniz bile bu eskort polisler size eşlik görevlerini sürdürdüler. Fuarın alıcı ile satıcıyı karşı karşıya getiren toplantı sistemi,

sosyal etkinlikler mükemmel organize tesislerin de ekleneceğini gösteriyor. edilmişti.

Artan turist sayısının yanısıra belirgin olarak görülen gelir seviyesi artışı dış Kamboçya turizme ağırlığını vermiş. turizmide canlandırmış.

2006 da tanıdığımız Turizm bakanları hala aynı görevde. Bu da ülkenin Turizme gönül verenlerin her yıl turizmdeki başarısının belki de en daha da artması ile Kambocya, cok büyük nedeni. Turizm yatırımları yakında hem incomingde hem de hızla sürüyor. Raffles, Meridien, artan gelir düzeyi ile outgoingde de Intecontinental, Sofitel gibi adından söz ettiren bir ülke olacaktır. uluslararası otel zincirlerinin yanısıra, 5 yıl aradan sonra tekrar gördüğümüz daha çok Uzakdoğuda tanınan Sokha, Viktoria, Naga gibi beş yıldızlı Kamboçya’daki bu gelişim, candan otel zincirleri Kamboçya’da tesislerini konukseverlik ve mükemmel ATF organizasyonu nedeniyle açmışlar. İnşaatların bu şehirlerdeki Kamboçyalıları tebrik ediyoruz. yoğunluğu yakın gelecekte yeni

Ve Kamboçya Kuzeyde Çin’den başlayıp, Myanmar, Tayland ve Laos ülkelerinin ardından denize ulaşan ‘’Nehirlerin Anası’’ yada ‘’Ana Tanrıça’’ adıyla da anılan Mekong nehrinin ikiye ayırdığı, ÇinHindi yarımadasının 181 bin kilometre karelik şirin, yemyeşil ve hüzünlü ülkesi Kamboçya.

Doğu ve güneydoğuda Vietnam, kuzeydoğuda Laos, batı ve kuzeybatıda Tayland ve güney batıda Tayland körfezi ile çevrili.

Nüfusu Kmerler, Hintliler, Daylar, Vietnamlılar, Çinliler, Hint-Malaylar gibi birçok HinduÇin etnik halklarının mozaiğinden oluşuyor.

Kmer halkınca (%90) benimsenen Theravad Budizminin yanı sıra, % 2 oranda müslüman Cham, Mahayana Budizmine inanan (%

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6 kadar) Vietnamlı ve aynı inanca mensup (% 3 dolayında) Çinli etnik azınlık da bu mozaiğin dinlerini oluşturuyor.

Ekvator’a yakınlığı nedeniyle, Nisan ve Kasım ayları arası çokça yağışlı geçen sıcak tropik iklime sahip.

Nüfusun %10›u şehirlerde, geri kalanı kırsal alanda yaşıyor.Başkent Phnom Penh .

Kamboçya’nın Fransızlar tarafından inşa edilmiş başkenti Phnom Penh 2.5-3 milyon nüfusu ile Kamboçya’nın en büyük ve kalabalık şehri. Mekong ve Tonle Sap nehirleri şehri ikiye bölüyor.

Burada görülecek yerlerin başında National Museum geliyor.1917-20 yılları arasında geleneksel mimariye

Destinasyon Kamboçya uygun olarak inşa edilmiş olan bina 6-7 yy dan itibaren Kamboçya tarihine girmiş medeniyetlerin örneklerini sunuyor.

Royal Palace 1813 tarihinde inşa edilmiş içinde halen kralın yaşadığı bölümleri de oluşturan çok büyük bir alanda çeşitli tapınaklerı ile ve bir rehber tarafından gezilebilen bir saray.

Tuol Sleng Hapishanesi ise hüzünle gezdiğimiz bir yer oldu.

Tuol Sleng, eski bir okul olup, Kızıl Khmerler tarafından daha sonra Mayıs 1976’da hapishaneye çevirilmiş ve S-21 adıyla anılmaya başlanmış.

Kızıl Khmer rejimine ve düzenine karşı olduğunu düşünülen herkesi bu hapishaneye atarak, çeşitli işkenceler yapıp, daha sonra da bu insanları öldürmüşler. Bu soykırım müzesi 1980 yılından beri de turistlerin ziyaretine açık.

Phnom Penh başşehir olarak çok sayıda konaklama olanağı, restoran ve eglence merkezleri ile turistlerin sıkılmayacağı bir şehir.Russian Market kapalı bir çarşı yiyecekten turistik ve hediyelik eşyaya her türlü malın satıldığı bir çarşı.

Perah Sihanuk Bölgesi önceki yıllarımızdaki gelişlerimizde adını duyduğumuz ama görme fırsatı bulamadığımız Kamboçyanın Tayland körfezindeki sahil bandı. Bölge hem deniz ticaretinin merkezi hem de tatil olanakları ile gelişerek iç ve dış turizme hizmet beriyor.

Başkent’den 5 saat kadar süren karayolu ile ulaşılan Sihanuk da hızla tesisleşiyor. Şehrin en yeni ve güzel tesisi Sokha Beach otel. 5 yıldızlı bu resort tesis geniş kumsalı ve mükemmel servisleri ile Kamboçyanın da en iyi resort tesisi. Şehirde liman ve ünlü bira fabrikası Angkor da ziyaret edilecek yerlerin başında geliyor.

Kamboçya denilince ilk akla gelen tarihteki ünlü Angkor Wat’ın ev sahibi Siem Reap şehri oluyor. Phnom Penh’den 134 km uzaklıktaki Kamboçya’nın Fransızlar tarafından inşa edilmiş başkenti’e Siem Reap’a havayolu ile 40 dakikada ulaşılyor.

Kamboçya’da görülmesi mutlak olan Gezimizdeki ilk tapınağımız Angkor Wat ve yakınındaki tapınaklar ülke Banteay Srei tapınağı oldu. ile özdeşleşmiş tarihi zenginlikler.

Kadın Kalesi adını alan bu tapınak Kral Jayavarman V. için Siem Reap Angkor’a 10 kilometre yaptırılmışSonrasında bir ilginç uızaklıkta, yeşilin binbir çeşidiyle tapınak var, sarmalanmış, ortasından nehir geçen, küçük şirin bir şehir. Siem Reap Khmer Ta Prohm tapınağının neredeyse dilinde «yenilgiye uğrayan Siyam» tümü ağaç kökleri ile sarmalanmış.. anlamını taşıyor.

Kral VII. Jayavarman tarafından, Angkor›da geçmiş yüzyıllardan günümüze 1186 yılında inşa edilmiş. Hem tapınak, hem de manastır. Boyutları kalan yapıların tümü tapınak. Kralı 1000x600 metre. Angkor antik temsil eden ve Tanrının tüm simgelerini kentinde, Angkor tapınakları sergileyen yapılar.

arasında dolaşırken, dev ağaç gövdeleri ve kökleri ile kuş sesleri, tropikal ormanların içinde olduğunuzu hiç unutturmuyor.

Khmer Krallığı XV. yüzyılda komşu Siyam’ın saldırıları ile zayıflamış. . 100 yıl süren savaş ve kıtlık sonucunda tamamıyla terkedilen Angkor, 400 yıl sürecek bir sessizliğe bürünmüş. Bu 400 yıl boyunca orman büyümüş ve 235 kilometrekarelik bir alanı kaplayan antik kenti örtmüş. Sonuçta Angkor NewFocus March & April’2011

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Destinasyon Kamboçya kaybolmuş. Ağaçların kökü toprağa ve suya ulaşmak amacıyla mabedleri, dev heykelleri ortadan ikiye, hatta üçe bölmüş. Bütün bunların sonucunda iç içe geçen antik kent ve orman bugün de büyüleyici bir manzara oluşturuyor.

Geleneksel Apsara kızlarının «Tanrı katının kutsal dansçı kızları» ( Vücutlarının alt kısmına birer sarong sarılı danseden , iri göğüslü, incecik belli dansçı kızlar) dans figurlerini içeren kabartmalar tüm tapınak duvarlarında en önemli süslemeleri oluşturuyor.

Ve Dünyaca ünlü, UNESCO koruması altındaki Angkor Wat yani “Kent Mabedi”’. Gerçekten bu mabetler topluluğu bir kent kadar geniş bir alanı kaplıyor. “Dünyanın Sekizinci Harikası” diye de adlandırılan ve Khmer mimari sanatının şaheseri sayılan, yer yüzünün en büyük tapınağı Angkor Wat.. “İnsan beyninin bugüne kadar tasarladığı en görkemli, en uyumlu yapıt» diye geçiyor kitaplara. Yapımında, Mısır Piramitleri›nden daha çok taş kullanılmış ve üstelik her santimetrekarenin üzeri kabartmalarla işlenmiş.

Göğe yükselen lotus çiçeği biçiminde, her biri 55 metre yüksekliğindeki 5 kuleyi Angkor Wat›a daha yaklaşmadan, çok uzaklardan görebiliyorsunuz.

Etrafını çevreleyen yapay gölün üzerindeki 4 köprüden birini, köprülerin ardındaki kapıları, kapıların ardındaki duvarları, duvarların ardındaki galerileri geçmeniz gerekiyor. Angkor Wat, kendi içinde küçük bir kent. 82 hektarlık bir alanı kaplıyor ve bir kilometre boyunca uzanan ön ve arka galerileri insana sonsuzluk duygusu veriyor. II. Suryavarman döneminde yapımına başlanan bu muazzam tapınağın içinde ilerledikçe yükseliyorsunuz. Yükseldikçe yeni koridorlar, yeni heykeller, başka kabartmalar keşfediyorsunuz. Yapıdaki her şey simetrik. Sağda ne varsa solda da aynısı, önde ne varsa arkada da aynısı. Beş kulenin ortasındaki en yüksek kule, Hindu dininde dünyanın merkezi sayılan Meru Dağı ‘nı kulelerin çevresindeki duvarlar ise Meru Dağı’nı çevreleyen dağları temsil ediyor.

Bu kuleye tırmanışınız neredeyse 90.derece dik ve dar basamaklı merdivenler nedeniyle çok zor ama inmesi daha da güç. Saatlerce turist kuyruğunda bekleyerek çok dikkatli bir şekilde çelik halatlara tutunarak iniyorsunuz. Ama mutlaka bu kuleye çıkmayı denemelisiniz.

Dünyanın Sekizinci Harikası yer yüzünün en büyük tapınağı Angkor Wat da Pierre Loti, 3 gün kalmış.

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“Angkor’a Yolculuk” adlı kitabında (1912) buradaki büyülü havayı anlata anlata bitiremeyip, Fransızlara, “elinizi ayağınızı çekin buradan” diyordu. Şair Paul Claude Angkor’da gördüğü Shiva’nın erkeklik organına adanmış tapınak ve tüm duvarlara işlenmiş yarı çıplak “Apsara”lar karşısında öfkesini günlüğünde şöyle anlatmış: “Bugüne dek gördüğüm en günahkar, en lanetli yer. Orası şeytanın egemenliğinde. Hasta oldum. Midem bulandı...”

Ama heykeltraş Rodin Apsaraların resmini çizmekten, onları yüceltmekten geri kalmamış.

Kısaca Angkor Wat Kamboçya ile özdeşleşmiş hatta Kamboçya bayrağında beyaz silueti ile yerini haklı olarak almış.

Siem Reap ortasından geçen nehri ile küçük bir kasaba. Ama Raffles başta olmak üzere Le Meridien, Borei Angkor Resort, Sokha… gibi bol yıldızlı lüx otelleri ile turistlere hizmet veriyor.

Her türlü hediyelik eşyanın yer aldığı turistik ‘’Old Market’’ ve çevresindeki tüm Dünya’dan değişik mutfaklarından örnekler sunan restoranlar, barlar ve eğlence sokakaları ile Siem Reap burada geçireceğiniz birkaç gün içinde size farklı günler yaşatacaktır.

Destinasyon Kamboçya Nasıl Gidilir Türkiye’den THY ile Bangkok veya yeni açılan Saygon’dan aktarmalı, Malaysia havayolları ile Kuala Lumpur’dan, Singapur havayollari ile de Singapur’dan aktarmalı olarak hem Siem reap’ a hem de Phnom Penh’e ulaşılabilir.

Konaklama; Başkent Phnom Penh’de çok sayıda ve her bütçeye uygun tesis var. Bizim önerilerimiz, kalınmasa da gezilmesi ve görülmesi gereken tesisler; Raffles Hotel Le Royal www.raffles.com NagaWorld www.nagaworld.com Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra www.sofitel.com Perah Sihanuk’da da konaklama olanakları Phnom Penh kadar geniş olmasada çok sayıda tesisi barındırıyor.Ancak bizim tavsiyemiz Sokha Beach Hotel www.sokha.com Siem Reap ise tam bir oteller şehri. Havaalanından başlayarak adım başı otel görüyorsunuz. Önerimiz ise; Borei Angkor Resort www.boreiangkor.com Vize Siem Reap ve Phnom Penh havaalanlarında 20 USD ve 1 fotograf karşılığında 1 aylık vize kolayca alınıyor. Çıkışda da tekrar 20 USD çıkış harcı ödüyorsunuz.

Kısa Bilgiler Türkiye ile saat farkı 5 saat ileri.

Para birimi Riel. 1 USD= 4.000 Riel Cep telefonu yaygın.Internet olanakları geniş.

Taxi ucuz.Hem siem Reap hem de Phnom Penh havaalanlarından şehir merkezindeki otelinize 6-7 USD ye ulaşabilirsiniz.

Tüm Kamboçya ve şehir turlarınız için güvenilir acenta: AGT Tours www.agttours.com.kh

NewFocus March & April’2011

45

Destinasyon Kamboçya

Kmerlerin ülkesi Kamboçya’nın Trajik tarihi Tarih boyunca birçok Asya ve Hindu Çinli halk ve kavmin göç dalgaları ve komşu halklarla savaş ve iç iktidar mücadelesine sahne olan Kamboçya, 1800’lü yılların ortasından itibaren Fransızların sömürgesi, 1941’de İkinci Dünya Savaşı sırasında Japonların,1945’ten bağımsızlığını kazandığı Mayıs 1954’e kadar yeniden Fransızların egemenliğinde kalır.

20 yüzyılın imparatorluğuu ABD, bölgeye 1969’ta burnunu sokar. 1974’e kadar süren yoğun bombalamalar fakir tarım ülkesi Kamboçya’nın en hüzünlü günlerinin başlangıcını oluşturur. Savaş sonrası raporları ABD’li pilotların ikinci dünya savaşında Japonya’ya atılan tüm bombaların 3 misli fazlasını Kamboçya’nın üstüne yağdırdıklarını yazar.

Halk bu dönemde tarımsal alanları terk edip açlık ve sefaletle yaşam mücadelesine girer, kırsal kesimde üretim ve yaşam biter. 6-7 milyonluk nüfusun 2 milyonu şehirlere kaçar, pirinç üretimi 3 milyon 800 bin tondan 655 bin tonlara düşer, 1 milyona yakın Kamboçyalı hayatını kaybeder.

ABD’nin böl ve yönet politikası sonucunda adını ‘’Politic Potential’’in kısaltmasından alan Pol Pot liderliğindeki Kızıl Kmerler’ doğar. İlk dönemlerde 5 bin kişilik Pol Pot’çular, ABD’nin şemsiyesi altında 5 yıl içinde 70 binlik bir askeri güce ulaşarak Kamboçya halkının en acıklı, en trajik dönemine imzalarını attılar.

Pol Pot ve bir kaç arkadaşı dışında, okumuş ve yabancı dil bilen her kes iç düşman, dış düşman, sınıf (köylülük) düşmanı, komplocu, emperyalizmin ajanları, provokatör ve hain olarak görüldülerr ve Devletin tüm kurumlarında çalışan asker, bürokrat, diplomat, doktor, profesör, bilim adamı, akademisyen, din adamı, gazeteci, yazar, kısacası düşünüp tartışabilecek, eli kalem tutan, okuma yazması olan veya ‘gözlüklü’ herkes önce ağır işkencelerden geçirilip ardından da aile fertleriyle birlikte çok hunharca katledildiler. Ülkenin adı “Demokratik Kamboçya” olarak değiştirildi. Okullar, üniversiteler, hastaneler, mahkemeler, gazeteler kapatıldı. Tüm kitaplar yakıldı, para kullanımı yasaklandı ve takas sistemi getirildi.

Kentlerdeki teknolojinin izleri yakılıp yıkıldı. Aile kavramı “karşı devrimci” bir kavramdı ve kollektif tarıma engeldi. Bu yüzden çocuklar ailelerinden, eşler birbirlerinden ayrıldı. Meslek sahipleri, aydınlar, üniversite mezunları, yabancı dil bilenler öldürüldü.

Yüz binlerce insan işkenceden, yüz binlercesi bu kez Phnom Penh den kaçarak yollarda talan olmaktan, yüz binlercesi açlıktan, yüz binlercesi de tarlalardaki ağır çalışma koşullarından öldü. Bu dönemde Phnom Penh ‘’Hayalet Şehir’’ adıyla anıldı.

Kızıl Khmerlerin 4 yıllık yönetiminden geriye bir milyon ölü, bir kaç milyon öksüz ve yetim ile yıkık bir ülke kaldı. Phnom Penh’de eskiden önce bir okul, sonra hapishane ve şimdi Tuol Sleng adlı müze bu gerçekleri tüm açıklığıyla gözler önüne seriyor. Binbir çeşit işkence aleti, öldürülen masumların fotoğrafları, binlerce kafatasının sergilendiği bölümler, bugün bile zaman zaman yenileri bulunan toplu mezarlar.. İnsanlık adına utanç verici örnekler olarak turistlerin ziyaret noktalarını oluşturuyor..

46

NewFocus March & April’2011

Destinasyon

Destinasyon KL Alışveriş

KL’de Alışveriş Keyfi

K

L; yani Malezya’nın başkenti Kuala Lumpur dünyanın en yüksek gökdelenlerinden olan Petronas İkiz Kuleleri ve TV Kulesi nin arasındaki modern alışveriş merkezleri ile alışveriş tutkunları için tam bir cennet.. Her türlü hediyelik eşyanın yanısıra, KL’ de el sanatı eşyalar satan dükkanlardan gümrüksüz ürünler alabileceğiniz mağazalara kadar birçok seçeneği geniş bir alanda bulabilirsiniz.. Batikler, pewter metalinden yapılan yöresel hediyelik eşyalar Malezya›da mutlaka alınması gerekli örnekleri ile sizi bekliyor.

Alışveriş tutkunları için öncelikle Malezya’nın para birimi Ringit (RM) degerinden başlayalım. Şu sıralar 1 ABD doları 3 RM. Şimdi bölge bölge alışveriş mekanlarını tanıtalım.

KL merkez: Modern gökdelenlerin arasından şehir merkezini dolaşıp Suria KLCC adlı Mall da tüm batının önemli zincir mağazalarını bulabilirsiniz.

Moda nın enyeni yada diğer bir deyimle ‘’son moda’’ örnekleri icin 6 katlı Suria KLCC 300 yerli ve uluslararası mağazası ile KL in en gözde alışveriş mekanı.

Sungei Wang Plaza KL merkezinde Bukit Bintang caddesindeki bu plaza da çok çeşitli seçenekleri ile alışveriş tutkunlarının bir diğer adresi.

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman Bu uzun cadde her iki yönüyle hertürlü ürünü bulabileceğiniz KL’in en ünlü alışveriş caddesi.Deriden çantaya ayakkabıdan spor malzemelerine yazlık kışlık giysilere,halı ve mobilyaya kadar zengin seçenekler bu caddede. İnanılmaz pazarlıkları da yapmayı unutmayın. Sogo ve Maju büyük departman mağaları da bu cadde üzerinde.

Pavilion AVM Şehrin en lüks alışveriş merkezlerinden biri olan Pavilion, Bintan caddesine birkac dakikalık yürüme mesafesindedir.

Her türlü alışverişe dönük zengin dükkanları ile Pavilion alışveriş merkezi ve içindeki Türk restoranı Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine hem Türklerin hem de Malezyalıların çok rağbet ettikleri bir mekan. Çin mahallesi Çin Mahallesinin Petaling caddesindeki gece pazarında çok çeşitli mal tezgahlarının arasında küçük alışverişlerinizi yapabileceğiniz gibi seyahatlerde en zor konulardan olan yakınlarınıza da hediye derdinden kutulabilirsiniz.

Ayrıca uzakdoğunun inanılmaz çeşitlikteki meyve ve sebze örneklerinden tatmayı unutmayın. Bu arada ünlü Chan See Shu Yuen tapınağını ve hemen yakındaki bir Hindu tapınağı olan Sri Mahamariamman da ziyaret edebilirsiniz.

Central Market Central Market diye anılan ve Hintlilerin yoğun olduğu halk pazarını da mutlaka gezmenizi öneririz.geleneksel kıyafetlerin sergilendiği bu açık pazarda günün her saatinde çeşitli kültürel etkinlikleri, Hint folklor ve dans gösterilerini de görmeniz sizi şaşırtmasın.

Burada ayrıca Çinli falcılara geleceğinizi okutabilir, Malay kuklalarının gölge oyunlarını seyredebilir Uzakdoğunun modern Müslüman ülkesi Malezya’nın başkenti Kuala Lumpur, turistik öneminin yanında alışveriş tutkunları için de çok ucuz ve zevkli alışveriş olanakları sunan bir destinasyon.

Kısaca değişik kültürünü tanımak, çok farklı tarihi ve turistik zenginliklerini görebilmek dışında, yalnızca alışveriş de KL ‘i ziyaret etmek için tek başına bir nedendir.

NewFocus NewFocus March &&April’2011 April’2011

47 47

Focus On BÜLTEN

İstanbul ShoppingFest Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ İle Dubai’de Tanıtıldı Katıldığı canlı yayın esnasında hem kanalın televizyonları hem de Twitter ve Facebook sayfaları kilitlendi.

Tüm Arap dünyasının ilgi ile izlediği MBC televizyonunda yayınlanan ve izlenme rekorları kıran Aşk-ı Memnu ve Gümüş dizisinin başrol oyuncusu Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, yine MBC kanalında katıldığı programda büyük ilgi gördü.

Program kapsamında aynı gün Dubai’de bir basın toplantısı ve resepsiyon düzenlendi. İstanbul Alışveriş Festivali’ne ilişkin bir sunumun yapıldığı basın toplantısında Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ ile birlikte İstanbul Alışveriş Festivali Genel Müdürü Ahmet Özşahin ve Dubai Kültür ve Tanıtma Ataşesi Sedat Gönüllüoğlu da hazır bulundular. Üst düzey davetlilerin 18 Mart-26 Nisan arasında İstanbul’da gerçekleştirilecek katılımı ile gerçekleştirilen resepsiyon olan İstanbul Alışveriş Festivali’nin (İstanbul ShoppingFest) sonrasında Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ bazı basın kuruluşlarına tanıtım faaliyetleri başladı. İstanbul bu festival ile özel röportajlar verdi. Yurt dışında büyük ilgi gören ve alışverişin başkenti olmaya hazırlanırken yurt dışı reklam Türkiye’nin tanıtımı için önemli bir fırsat olan televizyon ve halkla ilişkiler faaliyetleri ile festivalin duyurusu tüm dizilerinin en tanınmış yıldızlarından Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, dünyada yapılıyor. Festivalin yurt dışı tanıtımını üstelenen Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığının İstanbul Alışveriş Festivali’ni Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı Tanıtma Genel Müdürlüğü, tanıtmak amacıyla düzenlediği başka programlarda da ünlü oyuncu Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ’un katılımı ile Dubai’de bir yer alacak. Bu amaçla Şam, Kuveyt ve Azerbaycan’da da tanıtım faaliyeti düzenledi. Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ’un katıldığı Tatlıtuğ’un katılacağı tanıtım çalışmalarının hazırlıkları basın toplantısı ve resepsiyon çok büyük ilgi gördü. sürdürülüyor. n

Dinlerin Beşiği Türkiye-Ege Buluşması 2011

Çeşme’de, “Dinlerin Beşiği TürkiyeEge Buluşması 2011” adlı inanç turizmi kongresi düzenlenecek, Ege İnanç Turizmi ile tanıtılacak. İzmir, 40 ülkeden yaklaşık 400 turizmci, akademisyen, din adamı, basın mensubu ve katılımcıyı ağırlamaya hazırlanıyor. Turizmciler Rüstem Yüksel ve Dilek Araç tarafından hazırlanan proje doğrultusunda Çeşme’de “Dinlerin Beşiği Türkiye-

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NewFocus March & April’2011

Ege Buluşması 2011” adı altında bir inanç kongresi düzenlenecek. 28 Mart ile 3 Nisan arasında gerçekleştirilmesi planlanan kongreye çok önemli isimlerin katılması bekleniyor.

Başbakan Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın yanı sıra uluslararası sosyal projelere imza atan Katar Prensesi Sheikha AlThani, Ürdün Veliaht Prensi El Hassan bin Talal ve İstanbul Fener Rum Patriği Bartholomeos gibi dünya çapında tanınmış isimlerin davet edileceği belirtildi.

Yıllardır inanç turizmi alanında çalışmalar yapan ve böyle bir kongrenin hayalini kuran turizmciler Rüstem Yüksel ve Dilek Araç, kongre ile ilgili hazırlıklarını 1 yıl önce başlattı. Bu proje ile Müslüman, Hıristiyan ve Musevi dinlerinin oluşturduğu semavi dinlere mensup din adamlarını Çeşme’de buluşturmaya hazırlanan turizmciler, aynı zamanda kongre sonrası program doğrultusunda Efes (Ephesus), İzmir (Smyrna), Bergama (Pergamum), Akhisar (Thyateira),

Salihli (Sardis), Alaşehir (Philadelphia) ve Denizli (Laodicea) gibi inanç turizmi açısından önemli yerleri ziyaret edecekler. Turlar sırasında Hıristiyanlar için çok önemli olan Meryem Ana ve Efes’in tanıtılması da amaçlanıyor.

Uluslararası üne sahip müzisyen James Twyman da kongreye geliyor.

James Twyman, en çok satan yazarlar listesinde olup, aynı zamanda yönetmen ve barış konserleri veren dünyaca ünlü bir müzisyen. O dünyada “Barış Ozanı” olarak anılan bir kişidir. Irak, Kuzey İrlanda, Güney Afrika, Bosna ve Sırbistan gibi ülkelerde milyonlarca kişiye barış konserleri vermiştir. James of Love Işık Elçisi, Manevi Peacemaking Sanat ve son zamanlarda Musa Kanunu, Kabala Kodu ve Proof dahil on iki kitap yazmıştır.

James ayrıca, dünyada barış 400 barış temsilcisinin üzerinde rütbesi olan bir dinler arası örgütün başkanı ve kurucusudur. n

Focus On BÜLTEN

Turizm sektörünün en iyileri Otelpuan.com Ödülleri ile belirlendi Etstur tarafından bağımsız denetim kuruluşlarına denetletilen 300 e yakın otel arasında “Altın”, “Gümüş” ve “Bronz” kategorilerinde verilen ödüller, 10 Şubat Perşembe akşamı Four Seasons Hotel’de düzenlenen ödül töreniyle sahiplerini buldu. Gecede ayrıca, ‘En İyi Termal Tesis’, ‘En İyi Kayak Tesisi’ ve ‘En İyi Kıbrıs Tesisi’ kategorilerinde verilen Otelpuan Özel Ödülleri de sahiplerine verildi.

ETSTUR Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Mehmet Ersoy’un yanısıra turizm sektörünün önde gelen isimlerinin ve otel yöneticilerinin de katıldığı ödül töreninde, Akdeniz Bölgesi’nde Amara Beach Resort Comfort, Amara Wing Resort Comfort, Voyage Belek Golf & SPA, Amara Dolce Vita Luxury ve Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & SPA Altın Puan ödülüne layık görüldü. Ödül töreninde bir konuşma yapan ETSTUR Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı Mehmet Ersoy, “3 yıl önce hayata geçirdiğimiz Otelpuan. com tatil paylaşım sitesi kısa sürede beklentilerimizi aşan bir popülerlik kazandı ve tatilciler için güvenilir bir referans kaynak haline geldi. Sitede paylaşılan görüşler, anılar ve eleştiriler yalnızca tatilciler için değil değerlendirilen turizm tesisleri için de önemli bir veri tabanı oluşturuyor. Sitede paylaşılan görüşler, tatilcileri tatil tercihleriyle ilgili olarak

yönlendirmenin yanısıra otelleri de hizmet kalitelerini iyileştirmek ve müşteri memnuniyeti anlamında daha verimli çözümler geliştiriyor. Sitedeki memnuniyet puanlarının her yıl istatistiksel olarak artması bu durumun somut bir göstergesidir. Otelpuan.com sitesinde 1.954 otel ile ilgili toplam 186 bin 495 görüş yer alıyor.” dedi. n

Turizm Karikatürleri Ödülleri Sahiplerine Verildi Bu yıl 2’ncisi düzenlenen Uluslararası Turizm Karikatürleri Yarışması’nda 42 ülkeden 185 karikatür sanatcısının yolladığı 404 çalışma değerlendirilerek dereceye girenlere ödülleri verildi. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı’nın desteği, Anadolu Üniversitesi Karikatür Sanatını Araştırma ve Uygulama Merkezi, Anatolia: Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi ile Turizm Yazarları ve Gazetecileri Derneği’nin (TUYED) işbirliğinde düzenlenen yarışmanın ödülleri EMITT Fuarı’nda sahiplerini buldu. Anadolu Üniversitesi standında gerçekleştirilen ödül töreninde birinci seçilen Mehmet KAHRAMAN’a ödülünü Kültür ve Turizm Bakanı Ertuğrul GÜNAY verdi.

Ukrayna’dan katılıp ikinci olan Aleksiy KUSTOVSKY ödülünü Anadolu Üniversitesi Rektörü Prof. Davut Aydın’ın, İngiltere’den katılıp üçüncü olan Ross THOMSON ise ödülünü TÜROFED Başkanı Ahmet Barut’un elinden aldı. n

Yeni Yıla Hızlı Başladık Kültür ve Turizm Bakanlığı’nın hazırladığı Ocak 2011 turizm istatistikleri açıklandı. Bakanlığın internet sitesinden yayınlanan verilere göre Türk turizmi yılın ilk ayında yüzde 20,46 artış sağladı. Ülkemizi ziyaret eden turist sayısı Ocak ayında 975 bin 723’e ulaştı.

Türkiye’ye en çok ziyaretçi gönderen ülkeler sıralamasında Almanya yüzde 11,41 ile birinci olurken, İran yüzde 10,55 ile ikinci, Gürcistan ise yüzde 9,14 ile üçüncü sırada yer aldı. Gürcistan’ı sırasıyla Bulgaristan, Suriye, Rusya Federasyonu, Azerbaycan, Yunanistan, İngiltere ve Fransa izledi. Ülkemize Ocak ayı içerisinde Almanya’dan 111 bin 296 ziyaretçi gelirken, İran’dan 102 bin 896, Gürcistan’dan ise 89 bin 160 kişi geldi. Türkiye’ye 2011 yılı Ocak ayında OECD ülkelerinden 365 bin 131 ziyaretçi gelirken, Bağımsız Devletler Topluluğu’ndan ise 221 bin 237 turist ağırlandı.

OECD ülkelerinde bir önceki yılın aynı ayına oranla yüzde 37,42 artış yaşanırken, BDT ülkelerinde bu artış yüzde 22,67 olarak gerçekleşti. n NewFocus March & April’2011

49

Focus on KISA...KISA...

KISA KISA

New Focus Mayıs / Haziran 2011

Yöneticiler

* ATM - Dubai

• Etsgroup İletişim Genel Müdür Yardımcısı Şebnem Keçik * INDABA – Durban oldu * Pow Wow - San Fransisko • İstanbul Lütfi Kırdar Uluslararası Kongre ve Sergi Sarayı’nın * TTM – Bangkok * BITE –Pekin Satış ve Pazarlama Müdürü olarak İhsan Gemici atandı.

Turizm fuarlarında dağıtılacak.

• Yeni açılan Ataşehir Asya Suites genel müdürlüğüne Haber ve reklamlarınız için son gün Erol Sonay atandı.

22.Nisan 2011 • Ustungel Inanc Galeri RAMPA yöneticiliğine atandı.

• Kaya Demirer TURYID’in yeni başkanı seçildi..

• Armin Zerunyan Hilton otellerinin Türkiye direktörlüğnü de üstlendi • Ali Ethem Keskin Mountrain Outdoor Aakademi’nin iş geliştirme direktörü oldu.

• Erdoğan Kamış Dream Hill otel’in yeni genel müdürü oldu.

• Leyla Taşkın Grand Yazıcı Bodrum direktörlüğüne atandı.

Tesisler • • • • •

Ramada Plaza Antalya Indigo’s Pub da Cuma ve Cumartesi Günleri canlı müzik ile çeşitli promosyonlar uyguluyor.

Divan Pub ve Brasserie’ler 24 Şubat tarihinden itibaren misafirlerini “Meksika Ateşi” ile karşılıyor.

Elegance Resort Hotel Yalova, bu yıl 7 milyon dolar ek yatırım yaparak, tesisini 4 yıldızdan 5 yıldıza taşımayı hedefliyor.

Eresin Otelleri sponsorluğunda !f İstanbul AFM Uluslararası Bağımsız Filmler Festivali 10. yaşını kutluyor.

DenizBank ile Türkiye Açıkdeniz Yarış Kulübü’nün (TAYK) birlikte düzenlediği DenizBank - TAYK 2010 Trofesi’nde ödülleri Divan Fenerbahçe Faruk Ilgaz Tesislerinde sahiplerini buldu.

• Hilton Worldwide 2011 yılında Açılacak 11 Otel ile Türkiye’deki varlığını genişletiyor.

• Mövenpick Hotel Istanbul’da 1-31 Mart 2011 tarihleri arasında Tapas Festivali düzenleniyor.

• Orta Asya ve Türkiye Otel Yatırım Konferansı (CATHIC) 2011 Istanbul InterContinental Otelinde gerçekleşti.

• Travelife çevre ödülünü Limak Otelleri kazandı.

• Dedeman otelleri CATHIC organizasyonun Platin sponsoru oldu.

• Limak Grubu liderliğinde kurulan proje şirketi “Limak Kosovo International Airport JSC”, VakıfBank ile 85 milyon Avro’luk Proje Finansman Kredisi anlaşması imzaladı.

• Uluslararası Bayanlar Tenis Turnuvası Kemer Golf & Country Club’de gerçekleşti.

Acentalar • Tura Turizm de EMITT fuarındaki en değişik konseptteki standıyla fuarın en güzel tasarım ödülünü aldı.

• Thomas Cook, 2011 yılındaki Türkiye uçuşlarında Tailwind Havayolları’nı tercih etti.

• VIP Turizm erken rezervasyon kampanyası ve VIP Turizm’in 2011 seyahat programlarının tanıtımının yapıldığı bir workshop düzenledi.

• Alltours-X acentesi ile dinamik paket tur satışlarını başlattı.

• TUI, dünyanın en büyük macera turizm tur operatörünü kuruyor.

Havayolları • • • • • • •

Kobe Bryant Türk Hava Yolları reklamı için mutfağa girdi. easyJet 50 milyonuncu yolcusunu ödüllendirdi.

Alitalia İtalyan Havayolları’nın İstanbul-Torino arasında haftada üç kere karşılıklı direkt sefer düzenliyor.

Emirates 20 Ocak – 20 Şubat 2011 tarihleri arasında düzenlenen Dubai Alışveriş Festivaline ozel promosyonlar uyguladı.

SunExpress’in yolcu sayısı ve gelirleri 2010’da yaklaşık %20 arttı.

AnadoluJet Ankara-Londra’ya direkt uçuşları başladı.

THY, Şam bürosunu açtı.

KISA...KISA...

FUARLAR

Mart

Nisan

03-06 UTAZAS - Budapeşte 09-13 ITB - Berlin 10-13 TTR - Bükreş 12-15 ITM -Moskova 16-19 MITT - Moskova 17-20 MAP - Paris 23-25 UITT - Kiev 24-27 TUR – Göteburg 25-28 TIANGUIS Acapulco ITB - -Berlin

04-05 Leisure - Minsk 06-07 TOUREXPO - Samara 13-15 IT&CM - Shanghai 20-22 KITF - Almaty 14-16 CTF- Tbilisi KISA KISA...

28-30 AITF - Baku

- Dünyadaki tüm turizm örgütlerinin Adres, tel,fax, web ve e-mail adresleri.

- Türkiye ile turizm ilişkileri olan 50 ülkenin tüm turizm bilgileri - 2011 yılında Dünyada gerçekleşecek 1000 turizm etkinliğinin tarih ve başvuru adresleri… gibi bilgileri bulacağınız

Yöneticiler

MAP - Paris MITT - Moscow

World Travel Guide & Diary’2011 Siparişleriniz İçin

Havayollar›

Ve

UITT - Kiev

Tel:0216 391 3795 ozge@smpublication.com

Ücretsiz abone olun Focus on Travel News Art›k Hergun Bilgisayar›n›zda www.ftnnews.com

New Online Travel Gazette Acentalar for Russian Market

Transorient turizm kurucusu eski Tursab ba kanlarından Ferit Epikmen a abeyimizi Kasım ayı ba ında kaybettik. Ailesi ve Turizm sektorümüzün ba › sa olsun.

www.rustourismnews.com

www.ftnnews.com

Tesisler

50 NewFocus

Tüm Arab Ülkeleri ve Türk Turizmi Arasında bir Köprü Kurduk

March & April’ 2011 Fuarlar

Online Newsletter

Arab Turkish Travel Gazette www.arabturkishtravel.com İngilizce ve Arabca Haberlerinizi bekliyoruz!

TH 20 Year th year 18th 18 year NO:118 / April’2011 101March May/June’08 no: 101 May/June’08 no:

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