Tag Archives: Turkiye

According to the latest report from Skyscanner ahead of the Oman national day long weekend it was revealed that India emerged as the top destination country, with Mumbai leading as the most popular city. This trend is driven by the strong cultural and familial ties between Oman and India, as well as the diverse attractions that Mumbai offers. Oman itself ranked second, with Muscat being a favored destination, reflecting the growing interest in domestic travel and the rich cultural heritage of the capital city. The UAE, particularly the city of Dubai, continues to attract travelers from Oman due to its proximity and the allure of its luxury shopping, entertainment, and modern architecture. Thailand, with Phuket as a key destination, appeals to travelers seeking exotic beaches and vibrant street life. Türkiye and Egypt, with Istanbul and Cairo respectively, are seeing increased interest for their historical sites and unique cultural experiences. Italy and the United Kingdom round out the top ten, being perennial favorites for their rich history and cultural offerings. Based on the orders of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Wednesday and Thursday, November 20-21, 2024, have been declared official holidays for public and private sector employees to commemorate the 54th National Day. The data, collected from January 1, 2024, to November 1, 2024, highlights the most popular destinations and significant year-over-year (YoY) increases in search and redirect volumes, providing valuable insights for travelers planning their holiday getaways. Emerging travel hotspots with remarkable YoY search increases include Giza (1241%), driven by its iconic pyramids and historical significance, and Mopa (369%), likely due to new travel routes and increased accessibility. Yangon (268%) and Pristina (220%) are gaining popularity for their unique …

Onur Saylan – Consul General – Consulate General of Turkiye in Dubai, speaking with TravelTV Middle East shared that they are looking at easing the visa processes for the expats living in the UAE such as Indians, Pakistanis and Filipinos etc.by the end of the year. He reiterated the importance of promoting destinations which are the hidden gems of Turkiye which will be their focus in the upcoming months. “We work with tourists from UAE to provide alternative programs and placements. If we think of Turkiye, they immediately think of Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Trabzon and Cappadocia. It is true that these are some of the most beautiful cities in the world, not only in Turkiye, but there is more in Turkiye. Due to the current situation around Turkiye, there are more strict processes, but we are looking at coming up with easier visa process for expat groups living in UAE, such as Indian, Pakistani and the Philippines. We will establish many new methods to ease this process.  I think by the end of this year, we will find new alternative processes for visa issuance in the UAE.”

Rixos Tersane Istanbul, the flagship of the Rixos Group, which has achieved a leading position in the tourism sector with nearly a quarter-century of experience and an immaculate service approach, has been inaugurated with the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Chairman of the Board of Rixos Hotels, Fettah Tamince, expressed his insights on this highly anticipated investment: “We are revitalizing the 600-year-old Tersane Istanbul, which reflects the most valuable elements of Istanbul’s cultural and industrial heritage yet has been in disuse for many years, thanks to the vision of our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the efforts of our Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, and we are restoring it as a modern living space for the citizens of Istanbul. The first phase of the project has been completed with an exemplary conservation approach. Rixos Tersane Istanbul, which we have opened in this unique area that is about once again to become a part of the city’s memory, will bring a brand-new perspective to urban hospitality. It will make a significant contribution to the economy and employment. Rixos Tersane Istanbul will also play an important role in passing down this deep-rooted cultural heritage to future generations. We meticulously considered every detail of Rixos Tersane Istanbul, from its design to its architecture. I hope this new venture, which is far more than just a commercial project for me, will benefit our city and our country. I would like to thank our esteemed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his support and presence.” Rixos Tersane Istanbul, the flagship of the Rixos Group, which has investments in 8 countries across 3 continents, features 432 rooms. With its interior decoration that blends history, culture, …

Marriott International announced two openings in Türkiye, including Residence Inn by Marriott Trabzon and Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara. Located near Trabzon’s Kaşüstü beach and its famous historical city centre of Ortahisar, Residence Inn by Marriott Trabzon provides travellers effortless access to the natural wonders and historical attractions, such as Sümela Monastery and the scenic lake of Uzungöl. The hotel offers 88 spacious suites all featuring modern kitchens, separate living areas, workspaces and smart TVs – perfectly equipped for extended stays. Guests can fuel their day at the Garden Lobby Snack Bar and maintain their fitness routine at the 24/7 state-of-the-art gym. In Southwest Turkey, Delta Hotels by Marriott brings the brand’s ‘Simple Made Perfect’ mantra to the bustling city of Antalya with the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara. A beachfront hotel, Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara showcases a refreshed design accented with dark blue shades and walnut colour, evoking a resort vibe across its 192 intuitively designed guestrooms overlooking the stunning Mediterranean Sea. A foodie’s haven, the hotel boasts three restaurants, four bars and a café, including Horizon Bar, serving up creative cocktails against the breathtaking backdrop of Antalya’s scenery. Other facilities include a fitness centre, Spa, and outdoor and indoor pools.

Türkiye’s national flag carrier has launched its 14th destination in the United States, bringing its passengers together with the unique beauty of Denver. Having started its operations to the Americas in 1988 with flights to New York, Turkish Airlines has expanded its flight network to include Denver as the 14th destination in the United States of America. Starting from last week Turkish Airlines schedules 3 flights a week to Denver, its 347th destination in 130 countries. From July 9, 2024, the frequency will increase to 4 flights a week, thereby contributing to the tourism and trade volumes between the two countries by transporting thousands of passengers annually on the Istanbul-Denver route. Commenting on the new route, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines, Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated: “We are delighted to add a new route to our expanding flight network. We began our operations to the Americas on August 26, 1988, with flights to New York via Brussels, and 6 years later, on July 16, 1994, we began direct flights to New York. Today, we are proud to fly directly to 14 destinations in the United States, including Denver. This new route will offer our passengers the opportunity to discover the historical and cultural richness of Istanbul and our country.” Denver, the capital and largest city of the state of Colorado, attracts many domestic and international travelers with its cultural attractions and as a host for various sports events. The flag carrier will operate flights between Istanbul Airport and Denver International Airport with special launch prices. With tickets purchased by July 3, 2024, Turkish Airlines passengers can benefit from prices starting at 787 USD, for travel dates between …

In 2023, the sector contributed TRY 3.11TN to the economy, accounting for 12% of total GDP. This is a significant increase of almost 30% from the previous peak in 2019.  The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed Türkiye’s Travel & Tourism sector broke all records last year, reaching new milestones across four key metrics. The sector also supported more than 3.2MN jobs, representing one in 10 jobs across the country, and more than 18% above the 2019 high point. International and domestic visitor spending also exceeded their previous records, reaching TRY 1.68TN and TRY 761.3BN respectively. International visitor spending has surpassed its 2019 record by almost 36% and domestic visitor spending broke its previous record, from 2018, by almost 24%. The sector is forecast to continue breaking records in 2024, with GDP contribution set to reach almost 12.5% of the country’s economy. Jobs supported by Travel & Tourism are projected to surpass 3.3MN and spend from international and domestic visitors is also anticipated to set new records. According to WTTC’s latest research, spending from international visitors could reach more than TRY 1.7TN next year, and spending from domestic visitors could reach almost TRY 799BN. In an effort to continue growing its crucial Travel & Tourism sector, Türkiye’s Government is considering introducing nomad visas, aimed at expanding its potential for longer stays and in turn increasing visitor spending. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said; “As the world’s fifth most popular destination, Travel & Tourism in Türkiye is more than just a sector, it’s an integral part of the nation’s economy, fuelling growth, investment, and new jobs. We congratulate the national government’s efforts to place Travel & Tourism at the heart …

Turkish Airlines and KM Malta Airlines signed a code-sharing agreement to operate joint flights, effective as of June 15 2024. The codeshare agreement will provide passengers of both flag carrier airlines more flexible travel options on direct flights between Istanbul and Malta. Within the scope of the cooperation, KM Malta Airlines will place their marketing flight numbers on Turkish Airlines flights between Istanbul – Malta and vice versa. On the codeshare agreement, Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi stated: “We are pleased that the codeshare agreement with KM Malta Airlines will re-foster cooperation between the two countries and provide seamless journeys for passengers flying from Malta and Türkiye. Not only does this partnership enable Maltese travelers to benefit from the wide network of Turkish Airlines on a global scale, but also promotes more visitors from Malta to visit our unique country, Türkiye. Likewise, Malta, the fascinating island nation of the Mediterranean, will attract more visitors. We look forwards to a successful, long-standing collaboration together.” KM Malta Airlines Executive Chairman David G. Curmi noted that: “We are very pleased to count Turkish Airlines among our codeshare partners. Istanbul is a major hub connected with Malta twice every day, offering our Maltese customers a large choice of destinations. It also allows our international customers enhanced connectivity through Malta International Airport, linking both our networks. It also shows that KM Malta Airlines is recognized by large carriers as a partner of choice.” The codeshare flights will be available for purchase through the airlines’ sales channels such as turkishairlines.com and kmmaltairlines.com websites.

Turkish Airlines (TK) and Riyadh Air (RX) have agreed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding to offer a comprehensive range of benefits for guests traveling between the Kingdom, Türkiye and points beyond their Riyadh and Istanbul hubs, as well as lay the ground for deeper future collaborations. Guest of both airlines will be able to take full advantage of each carrier’s worldwide network through a comprehensive interline and codeshare agreement that will allow customers to seamlessly connect between and combine sectors operated by either Riyadh Air or Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Technology Officer Levent Konukcu and Riyadh Air CEO, Tony Douglas, signed the agreement at a ceremony on the sidelines of the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (ICAN 2023)  held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The intention of both carriers is that benefits will be made available to guests as soon as possible after Riyadh Air launches operations in mid-2025 and is subject to regulatory approvals by relevant authorities. The close cooperation will allow members of each carrier’s loyalty program to earn points or credits when traveling on codeshare services operated by the other, with both airlines also exploring opportunities to develop a broader loyalty agreement covering both global networks. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of guest benefits, the MoU also commits Riyadh Air and Turkish Airlines to work together to explore and implement broader synergies and efficiencies across the value chain, touching areas such as aviation related services, cargo and digital development. Turkish Airlines Chief Investment & Technology Officer, Levent Konukcu stated: “We are happy to start our relationship with Riyadh Air, a promising new player in the aviation industry. This Memorandum of Understanding is …

Marriott International, Inc. reinforced its long-term commitment to Türkiye with the announcement of 13 deal signings comprising over 2,000 rooms.  The signings are expected to further enhance the company’s footprint in the country where it currently has a portfolio of 48 properties and nearly 8,000 rooms across 21 brands. “As one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world, Türkiye continues to provide the company with opportunities to further diversify its portfolio across primary, secondary, and tertiary markets in the country,” said Marriott International Chief Development Officer – Europe, Middle East & Africa Jerome Briet. “These deal signings are a testament to the trust owners and franchisees have in Marriott International and the strong demand for our captivating portfolio of brands in the Turkish market.” The projects announced by Marriott International include the introduction of Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Türkiye with the signing of the 192-room Fairfield by Marriott Istanbul Yenibosna. Plans for the property include an effortlessly relaxed and efficient hotel design paired with a contemporary aesthetic.  The project will be a part of a mixed-use development in the Yenibosna district, which will also feature the 90-room Residence Inn by Marriott Istanbul Yenibosna.  Both properties are projected to open in 2025. Residence Inn by Marriott continues to meet demand for longer-stay accommodation in the country.  The company also signed Residence Inn by Marriott Istanbul Piyalepasa, which will form part of Piyalepaşa Istanbul, a 450,000sqm mixed-use development in downtown Istanbul.  Plans for the development also include the Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul Piyalepasa.  Both properties combined will offer 329 rooms when they open in 2026. Following the recent debut of Marriott Executive Apartments in Türkiye with Marriott Executive Apartments …

It was announced that DoubleTree by Hilton Sanliurfa (Türkiye) is slated to open this year. With a history spanning over 12,000 years, the city of Sanliurfa in Türkiye is a must-visit destination. DoubleTree by Hilton Sanliurfa is the perfect base for exploring the rich history – located just a short drive from the centre with its many historical buildings, parks, and museums. Elsewhere, the Neolothic archaeological heritage site and ruins of Göbekli Tepe are only a short car journey away from the hotel. After a day of exploration, guests can indulge in a relaxing treatment, including a traditional Turkish bath in the property’s dedicated spa or they may prefer to opt for a refreshing dip in the indoor pool. The 190-room hotel is certified eco-friendly and offers DoubleTree by Hilton’s award-winning friendly and reliable hospitality.