Tag Archives: tURKEY

In order to boost tourism Turkey grants visa free entry to six countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain in the GCC and Canada and United States published in the official gazette of Turkey. According to the decree holders of ordinary passports of these six nations is granted privilege of visa free entry for tourist visits up to 90 days within any 180 day period.

According to the survey conducted by Mabrian, tourist destinations in the Middle East and Asia are gaining in importance, especially Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. As for closer proximity tourism, Georgia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan have now become part of the top 20 preferred destinations for Russians in 2022. The study is based on an analysis of the hotel demand of the Russian travelers and the average hotel room price in the more than 700 destinations worldwide during 2022, comparing with 2019 trends. To do it, the Mabrian’s team has used its Travel Intelligence platform to analyse the more than 2 million reviews posted by Russians and the published hotel prices in the main OTA’s (Booking, Expedia and TripAdvisor) for these two years. According to Carlos Cendra, Director of Marketing & Sales at Mabrian: “As one of the largest source markets for international tourism over the last 20 years, the Russian market plays a crucial role in the global travel industry, and in recent times it has become essential for destinations and companies to understand their evolving trends and preferences. Our study shows that the Russian travel market has been deeply impacted with current situation. Much less travelers and a changing profile with tourists exploring new destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and neighboring countries all of which seem very keen to capture market share by welcoming Russian travelers.” Meanwhile, the classic European tourist destinations, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and Greece, have had the most significant negative impact based on the current situation, showing a drastic decrease in the presence of Russian tourists who used to frequent these destinations in 2019. Of all the countries impacted, Italy has …

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of a range of products, packages and experiences for pilgrims from Turkey who are wishing to visit Makkah and Madinah. A special trade roadshow hosted in Istanbul recently by the Saudi Tourism Authority announced that Turkish citizens can now obtain an entry visa into Saudi quickly and easily. Turkish nationals wishing to visit Saudi will now have the option to obtain a tourist visa through the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in Turkey, the visa issued within 48 hours through accredited travel and tourism offices in Turkey which are listed on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Residents of the United States of America, United Kingdom, and European Union countries, or holders of United States, United Kingdom, and Schengen active visas; can obtain the visa upon arrival at the international airports in the cities of Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh and Dammam. The Ministry of Hajj & Umrah also launched Nusuk (nusuk.sa/tr), an integrated digital government platform designed to enhance and enrich the Umrah experience for Muslims visiting Makkah and Madinah in Turkish. The platform will enable simpler arrival procedures for visitors to perform Umrah and a range of services that will include facilitating visas, permits, booking processes and procedures along with special packages for Makkah, Madina and a host of other historical religious sites in Saudi. Additionally, Saudi citizens can now issue a personal visit visa for their friends, as can citizens and residents wishing to host their relatives.  This can be done through the unified national visa platform visa.mofa.gov.sa. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at Saudi Tourism Authority and Managing Director of Nusuk, said: “Saudi continues its efforts …

Radisson Hotel Group announces the transformation and re-opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Vadistanbul as a Radisson Collection hotel, following an extensive renovation. Located in one of the city’s prime residential and commercial districts, Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul will be the Group’s second Radisson Collection property in Turkey and the first in Istanbul. The opening of Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul follows the successful opening of Radisson Collection Hotel, Bodrum this past summer. Vadistanbul is a modern and dynamic residential area of wider Istanbul, nestled on the foothills of Vadistanbul Park which includes the Ataturk Arboretum, Belgrade Forest, and Göktürk Ponds National Park. Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul is situated on a main boulevard in Vadistanbul which will be home to the shopping mall with 270 retail shops and offices for 20,000 people. The hotel is located opposite the Turk Telecom Area, one of Istanbul’s major sports arenas, near the key business district of Maslak, and 30km from Istanbul’s new airport. Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadistanbul features 193 stylish rooms and suites in a relaxing atmosphere with the choice of either city or forest views and a relaxed urban vibe. The rooms offer a relaxing atmosphere, a stylish design, and thoughtful amenities like the Nespresso machine, personal device streaming to the TV, as well as the exclusive Radisson Collection bathroom amenities. The property transformation was aimed at improving the facilities and maximizing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional service. Upon entering the hotel, guests will be introduced to a modern design in the lobby area while guestrooms offer upscale, modern comfort. Photographs taken by local artists add a styling element that celebrates the character of the destination. The all-day-dining restaurant serves international delights made with …

Connecting local car owners and travelers has become more efficient than ever. With operations in Dubai earlier this year, the expansion of the car-sharing service GetRentacar.com in the Turkish market provides more attractive offers and a more convenient procedure to get a car for a period of time. The core advantage of the innovative service depends on cutting-edge algorithms. Enhanced by AI technologies, the platform provides passengers with the offers that will be most suitable to them. Using the service, travelers can choose the location and date of their future journeys and set the price they are ready to pay for rent and the type of car they need. The offer is personalized for every customer so they can find the one that suits them best. Another good thing about the service is its internationality. Turkey is one of the world’s top travel destinations and the country is getting more and more popular every year. Even with the influx of travelers from around the globe, the language barrier should not be a huge problem for users of GetRentacar.com. The interface is available in 20+ languages besides English. Communication with the car owner is carried out through the online client service, so any negotiations are simple and mediated. The accessibility of the service is also highly valued both by car renters and car owners. It takes just a couple of clicks to get a car, including the owner’s offer, vehicle characteristics and parameters, and service fees covered by the system. The newly launched mobile app assists travelers from around the planet with renting cars in an even more convenient way by using phones. – Our approach to work is based on …

With borders open in full, GCC travellers are now ready to take the plunge and confident to explore the new post covid world especially as eid coupled with summer vacations sets in the region. Over the past few days the airline and hotel bookings have increased despite the fact that airline fares have increased a considerable amount. Our GCC line up of industry professionals share their observations. Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director, Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and India of Wego, “The demand for travel continues to see significant growth and recovery post COVID-19. With summer approaching, travelers began planning and booking their holidays, and we are witnessing an increase in bookings and demand for flights to and from the UAE. Travelers are also looking for new experiences and exploring places they haven’t visited before to make up for lost travel in the past two years due to the pandemic. And they are ready to spend more on leisure trips than before. Flight and hotel searches from the UAE during the month of June reached about 3 million, an increase of 77% over the same period last year. Despite the increase in airfares, we continue to see an increase in demand and people are booking longer stays. The airfares for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday have spiked for most destinations. If we look at the top destinations from the UAE during the Eid break, the average airfare to Egypt is $551 with an increase of 41% in comparison to the same period last year, the airfare to India is around $379 a rise of 114%, Jordan saw an increase of 45% with an average airfare of $689, …

Accor signed Mövenpick Living Çamlıvadi and Mövenpick Living Saklıvadi in partnership with Artaş Group and the developer of Vadistanbul in Turkey. The announcement of the two new projects was made at a signing ceremony which took place at the Mövenpick Istanbul Bosphorus Hotel, between Mark Willis, CEO India Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Accor; Yiğit Sezgin, Chief Commercial Officer India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Accor; and Süleyman Çetinsaya, Chairman, Artaş Group. The Mövenpick Living Çamlıvadi is set to open by October 2022 while the Mövenpick Living Saklıvadi in November 2023. “As the world’s leading augmented hospitality group with more than 5,300 properties in over 110 countries, we are excited to announce the involvement of premium brand Mövenpick with the Çamlıvadi and Saklıvadi projects under an agreement with Artaş Group, Turkey’s real estate and construction leader. We are confident that both projects will add great value to the tourism industry in such a popular location of Istanbul,” said Yiğit Sezgin, Chief Commercial Operator India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Accor. Residences with hotel grade comfort There are 164 residences in Mövenpick Living Saklıvadi, and 65 residences in Mövenpick Living Çamlıvadi. All one bedroom, two bedroom and penthouse apartments are elegantly decorated with meticulously designed details. Each apartment enjoys complimentary internet connection, same-day laundry service, a restaurant with buffet service for breakfast, and a winter garden. Guests will not have to skip their fitness routine as they can take advantage of a full-fledged gym equipped with exercise gear, an indoor swimming pool, sauna and resting room. Moreover, an exclusive indoor and outdoor manège are offered to the service of the hotel guests who are interested in horse riding. …

With the established presence in the Turkish taxi market, GetTransfer.com is launching its taxi service to fill the market need in connecting drivers and passengers in the best conditions for both parties. GetTransfer.com will charge only 5% commission of its drivers for rides, which is 8X lower than 39% – the efficient median for aggregators. Alexander Pershikov states, “The uncertain economic and social global landscapes are disrupting many industries and markets. To sustain travel and transportation for people around the world, we seek a solution that is beneficial to both parties. We want people to travel at very good prices with very good drivers, without the stress of worrying about car rides, at the same time we want to support drivers and reward them for their time and labor.” Just in time for the high season – the new taxi finding tool will deal with the increase in short-distance transfer demand and tourist influx, keeping the situation in the transportation business stable despite the growing uptake. With the advanced IT technology, GetTransfer.com offers the best way to link clients and drivers. Based on the minimal input information, the system tailors each offer individually for every client and ensures the best prices. The accessibility of the service is also highly valued. Getting a taxi with GetTransfer.com is easy and safe, with the system covering the owner check, car characteristics, and ratings. The newly introduced mobile application allows travelers from all over the world to rent even more conveniently from their smartphones. Collaborating with GetTransfer.com is advantageous for drivers as well. The system provides them with a smooth workflow and stable income. GetTransfer.com charges a very low commission from drivers – It …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the launch of the Wyndham Garden brand in Turkey with the opening of the 346-room Wyndham Garden Lara, a stylish property located in one of the country’s most desired seaside destinations. The brand is set to further expand with an additional Wyndham Garden opening in Diyarbakır, the largest city in South East Turkey, expected next month. With amenities that are designed for ultimate comfort and convenience, cosy lounges, abundant natural light and flexible meeting spaces, Wyndham Garden takes care of all the little details to give guests peace of mind. The latest addition marks the ninth brand entry by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Turkey and further cements the company’s position as the largest international hotel company by number of properties in the country, with over 90 operational hotels. Wyndham Garden Lara offers a wide range of amenities including well-appointed guest rooms with balconies, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre with a tennis courts, access to the nearby Lara Beach and all-inclusive dining. The new hotel opened in April and is conveniently located to explore many attractions in Antalya, also offering easy reach of the international airport. Slated to open later this month, Wyndham Garden Diyarbakır will boast 182 guest rooms, a terrace with  beautiful views of the city,  a Turkish bath, a fitness centre with a spa and outdoor pool. The hotel will be located within walking distance from the city’s attractions such as the historic city walls and Ulu Mosque, while also providing convenient access to Diyarbakır Airport. Dimitris Manikis, President Europe Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA, said: “With the debut of our ninth brand in Turkey, …

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has announced the introduction of a new service to Trabzon in Turkey with direct flights from Abu Dhabi starting on July 13, 2021. The new service offers greater connectivity and value-for-money options making it easier and more convenient for customers to travel between the two countries. Resting on the bank of the Black sea, Trabzon is a city filled with historical significance. Featuring a unique coastal backdrop, this picturesque city is known for its mystical architecture and bazaars.  The new service represents the 14th route for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi since the launch of the carrier’s service from Abu Dhabi International Airport on July 14, 2020.  Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Trabzon by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.  Ensuring the highest standards of safety at every step of the journey by following all health and safety protocols, Air Arabia has also added to the convenience and confidence of passengers by introducing free COVID-19 insurance coverage. The insurance is automatically included as part of the booking and no additional documents are required from passengers.