Turkey is one of the world’s top travel destinations, with visitor numbers up 1.47% year-on-year and 24 million foreign visitors having visited Turkey in the first 10 months of 2009. Turkey is also hugely popular with British holidaymakers, for whom it remains an affordable year-round holiday destination thanks to the Turkish Lira offering great value against the Euro and British Pound. 2.1 million British tourists visited Turkey in the first 9 months of this year, the third-largest group of visitors to Turkey after Germany and Russia.
Istanbul 2010
Turkey’s cultural capital Istanbul, already one of the world’s top city-break destinations – 4.18 million tourists visited the city in the first 9 months of 2009, up 2.4% year-on-year – is set to be an even hotter destination in 2010 when it becomes European Capital of Culture: . The city will host a huge variety of arts and cultural events throughout the year and in preparation, extensive restoration work is being carried out on the city’s important historical sites and monuments; whilst a host of new museums and galleries, restaurants and clubs, shopping centres and boutiques, and hotels are opening around the city. Indeed, Istanbul made it onto Time Out’s “World’s Greatest Cities” Top 10 Cities List this year, whilst the Ritz Carlton Istanbul ranked “Best International Business Hotel” at the Condé Nast Traveller UK 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Other Tourism Hot Spots and Awards
Outside of Istanbul, Mugla, home to tourism centres Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye, boasts 1,100 kilometres of coastline, scenic natural beauty, temperate climate, plentiful activities, historical sites and excellent resorts and infrastructure; the British make up half of all visitors to the region. Bodrum came to London this month for the opening party for the World Travel Market, hosting an exclusive event for the travel trade and media at world renowned venue Sketch, complete with signature raki cocktails and 360 panoramic views of Bodrum screened around the venue.
Antalya is the top destination on the Turkish Riviera, welcoming more than 8 million tourists so far in 2009, whilst Bozcaada and Turkey’s Aegean islands recently ranked second place in the ‘Top European Islands’ category at the Condé Nast Traveller’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Iberotel Sarigerme in Turkey was crowned TUI Environment Champion for the 12th time, whilst Europe’s largest water park hotel, the Aqua Fantasy Hotel in Izmir, Turkey has been selected as the ‘World’s Best Aquapark Hotel’ in the Splash category by TUI; The Cornelia Hotels also triumphed with 4 awards at the World Travel Awards and 2 awards at TUI Travel Awards.
Turkey in the Press
Turkey has been featured as a travel destination in over 4000 articles across the British national and regional press – including an array of glossy magazine such as the Condé Nast Traveller, which ran a 14 page feature on Antalya for the first time, and most recently 12 pages on Istanbul, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Wanderlust to name a few. Such coverage has focussed on Turkey’s rich and varied tourism offerings, the hospitality of the people and great value for money.
This year has also been a fantastic year for TV and Radio coverage: The Travel Channel recently filmed programmes on “Essential Istanbul” and “Eastern Turkey” which will be broadcast in 2010; “Globe Trekker” has recorded episodes in Turkey; whilst the BBC and ITV have filmed shows including the first Blue Peter summer road trip in Turkey since the 1970s; a one-part documentary on Cleopatra’s sister Arsinoe in Ephesus and ITVs Coach Trip; Turkey has also been featured in various BBC Radio programs including Traveller’s Tree on BBC Radio 4 and an upcoming show on Mimar Sinan’s architecture. More than 100 individual and group press trips have been arranged across Turkey to facilitate such press coverage.
Events, Exhibitions and Festivals
Sarkis ‘Site’ exhibition, Istanbul Modern, 11 September 2009 – 10 January 2010: The Istanbul Modern’s exhibit ‘Site’ is the largest ever retrospective show of the France-based, Turkish-born Armenian artist Sarkis, known for his avant-garde conceptual installations and one of today’s leading names in contemporary art. The multimedia show is the first time that the Istanbul Modern has hosted a retrospective exhibition by a living artist.
‘Marc Chagall, Life and Love’, Pera Museum, 23 October 2009 – 24 January 2010: This exhibit ion at the Pera Museum in Istanbul is the first time ever that the work of 20th-century artist Marc Chagall is being shown in Turkey. The 160 works in the exhibit are comprised of prints, drawings and paintings selected from the rich collection of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Shopping Paradise Istanbul, 15 November – 31 December 2009: This autumn, Istanbul kicks off the city’s first shopping festival, Shopping Paradise Istanbul. Offering fabulous retail offers, discounts and special entertainment activities in shopping centres, the festival is aimed to draw shoppers to Istanbul and increase the city’s profile as a shopping destination.
1st International Santa Claus (Noel Baba) Marriage Festival, 1-7 December 2009, Demre Santa Claus Museum: The festival will culminate with a group wedding ceremony made up of local and foreign tourists at 14.00 on 6th December at the Santa Claus Museum. Singers and dancers from the State Opera and Ballet will be performing, followed by a cocktail reception at a hotel. On the same day, there will be a Santa Claus Peace Walk in Demre, with people dressed up in Father Christmas costumes.
Contemporary Istanbul, 3 – 6 December 2009: A rising star in the world of art fairs, Contemporary Istanbul has established itself as one of the most dynamic and promising contemporary art events in the region. The fair, in which both national and international galleries participate, offers a rewarding experience for artists, critics, galleries, collectors, curators and art buyers alike.
Mevlana Commemoration Ceremony, Konya, 1 – 17 December 2009 An astounding event held annually in December in Konya, the Mevlana festival commemorates Jelaleddin Rumi (Mevlana), the great 13th-century Sufi poet, saint and founder of the Mevlevi (Whirling) Dervish order, who is buried in Konya. The two-week festival, particularly the final ceremony honouring the anniversary of Rumi’s death, is one of the world’s greatest spectacles.
Ecocity World Summit 2009/8th International Ecocity Conference, Istanbul, 13–16 December 2009: The 8th International Ecocity Conference/Ecocity World Summit brings together business and civic leaders from around the globe to design cities in balance with nature. The summit will take centre stage before a highly influential community of architects, planners, designers, policy makers, green businesses, political and non-profit leaders, international experts and delegates.
Istanbul, European Capital of Culture 2010: www. istanbul2010.org As European Capital of Culture for 2010, Istanbul will host a full calendar of arts and cultural events throughout the year. Highlights of Winter/Spring 2010 include: ‘Lives And Works in Istanbul: Antoni Muntadas Exhibition’, Kadirga Art Centre (18 Jan – 14 Feb); premiere of ‘Istanpoli’ by Claude Wampler at Garajistanbul (24 Feb); ‘Istanbul 1910-2010: The City, Built Environment and Architectural Culture’ at SantralIstanbul (April – October); premiere of ‘Istanpoli’ by Michael Laub at Garajistanbul (28 April); European Universities Theatre Festival (2-16 May); the 3rd International Poetry Festival (May) and the opening of the Museum of Innocence, based on Orhan Pamuk’s latest novel, in the summer.
Istanbul Fashion Days (IFD), 3-6 February 2010, Istanbul ITU University, Taskısla Campus: The second Istanbul Fashion Days is to be held for the second time in February 2010, organised in cooperation with Istanbul Apparel and Ready-to-Wear Exporters Association (ITKIB) and the Fashion Designers Association (MTD) with the aim of promoting Turkish Ready-to-Wear and Fashion to the world. Riding on the success of the first event, this event will now be held twice every year, bringing together international press and buyers with Turkish designers and brands. Under the Istanbul Fashion Days banner will be Brandist (brand fashion-show and fair), Istanbul Fashion Lab (designer fair) and ITKIB Young Designer Awards that have been running for 17 years.
2nd Health, Spa & Wellness, Thalasso, Thermal and Medical Tourism Exhibition, Antalya, 4-6 March 2010: The 2nd Health, Spa & Wellness, Thalasso, Thermal and Medical Tourism Exhibition organised by Anfas Hetex will be held at Antalya Expo Centre, Turkey’s largest exhibition venue outside of Istanbul. Recognising that Turkey is becoming an important destination for ‘health tourism,’ the exhibition brings together sector professionals including thermal, spa and wellness facilities, hotels, aesthetic and beauty centres, travel agents, hospitals, hospital managers, doctors, pharmacists, and related associations.
Film Festivals This year Turkey will again host a number of exciting film festivals, including the!f Istanbul AFM International Independent Film Festival (February), Ankara International Film Festival (March), Istanbul International Film Festival (April), and Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival & International Eurasia Film Festival (October).
Tourism Developments
Istanbul Congress Centre in Harbiye, Istanbul – opened September 2009 Istanbul’s largest congress centre opened in September 2009 in Harbiye, in the heart of Istanbul. The centre has state-of-the-art meeting facilities and hosted the high-profile IMF/World Bank meetings in Istanbul in October 2009. The adjacent Muhsin Ertugrul Theatre and Harbiye Open-Air Theatre were also redesigned to fit together with the new conference centre.
New terminal at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport – opened October 2009 Sabiha Gokcen Airport, located on Istanbul’s Anatolian side, opened a brand-new terminal on 31 October 2009. The new terminal more than doubles the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 25 million. The airport currently serves about 5 million passengers a year, a number expected to reach 20 million by 2018. The state-of-the-art terminal complex includes a four-storey car park, a 128-room hotel, a 5000 sqm foot court, and one of Europe’s largest Duty-Free shopping areas (4500 sqm).
New Sabancı Museum in Mardin – opened October 2009 The Sabancı Foundation opened the Sakıp Sabancı Mardin City Museum and Dilek Sabancı Art Gallery in the building of what was once a historic military building, following three years of restoration, in Mardin, Eastern Turkey. The museum will bring together works of art that reflect Mardin’s urban development and traditions, history and culture; as well as offering space for children’s art displays.
New airlines and routes to Turkey A number of airlines are increasing their flights to Turkey or introducing new routes in the coming months. As of 9 November Turkish Airlines has launched new direct flights from Sabiha Gokcen Airport to London; Turkish Airlines also intends to undergo a complete rebranding effort and has contracted UK design group Priestmangoode to handle the work. Meanwhile Pegasus Airlines has announced it will be adding Manchester and Birmingham routes to its current Stansted service to Turkey and North Cyprus from early next year. Jet2.com has announced low fare seat-only flights to Dalaman from the airline’s new base at East Midlands Airport and Exeter International Airport has made arrangements with Thomas Cook for weekly flights to Dalaman starting in May 2010.
Istanbul Sapphire – opening February 2010: One of Istanbul’s most ambitious building projects, Istanbul Sapphire will be the tallest building in Istanbul and Europe’s second-highest residential tower, with an above-ground height of 54 stories and 261 m. Istanbul Sapphire will house 180 luxury residences, a shopping centre with over 130 shops and a 236-m high scenic terrace and restaurant. Turkey’s first ‘green’ building also features private indoor gardens and a special double facade that allows natural air into the skyscraper.
New Residential and Business District in Atasehir, Istanbul Planned: The new district is set to comprise a 4 million sq ft development in Atasehir in Istanbul, on a site that features views across the Bosphorus and beyond. The project which will be designed by RMJM includes a 60-storey tower, 1,500 residential units, a five-star hotel, offices and conference facilities with landscaped public areas and parking facilities. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
Other infrastructural developments A host of infrastructural improvements are in the pipeline across Turkey including the upgrading of two road bridges on the Bosphorus crossings and a new rail tunnel in Istanbul; as well as the continuation of a high speed rail project and new motorway proposals including 2,250km on new road (more than double current motorway network) regeneration.
FISU Winter University Games to be held in Turkey In an exciting development for winter sports in Turkey, the 2011 FISU Winter University Games (known as the Universiade) will be held in Erzurum (at 1850m) in February 2011, the biggest city in the Eastern Anatolian region and also a very ancient settlement in Turkey. Located at the skirts of Palandoken Mountain, the city has grown in importance for winter sports in Turkey; just 150km from the border with Georgia, the ski season here runs from December until April. In preparation for the games, there will be seven new high speed lifts installed and snowmaking installations with significant reservoir capacity including 14 km of a new snowmaking system, a new ski jumping facility, snowboard and ski half-pipe–the first in Turkey–as well as a brand new ski area for the Alpine competitions.
Hotel Openings & Residences
Divan Istanbul Asia & Divan Istanbul Hotel:
Opened on 1 November 2009, the 5-star Divan Istanbul Asia is the largest hotel and the first business-class hotel on the Asian side of the city. Located in the fast-growing area of Pendik just 7 km from Sabiha Gokcen Airport, the 25-floor hotel has 231 rooms, three executive floors, 1300 sqm fitness and spa facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and extensive meeting facilities.
Divan is also completely rebuilding its flagship Divan Istanbul Hotel in Taksim, first built in 1956 and one of Istanbul’s oldest and most distinguished hotels. Famous French architect Thierry W. Despont is designing the 228-room hotel in a style that reinterprets Istanbul’s traditional architecture in a contemporary manner. The hotel is set to reopen in 2010.
Hilton expanding in Turkey The Hilton group plans to open 13 new hotels across Turkey by the end of 2010, located in the provinces of Diyarbakır, Kütahya, Manisa, Bursa, Şanlıurfa, Mersin, Çorlu and Çorum. The properties in Kütahya and Diyarbakir will be Hilton Garden Inns, Hilton’s award-winning, mid-priced brand which is being introduced in Turkey for the first time.
Pera Palace Hotel – reopening April 2010: The Pera Palace, one of Istanbul’s most well-known and historic hotels, is being completely restored and renovated and will be reopening in April 2010. Built in 1892 in the historic Beyoglu neighbourhood, the Pera Palace was one of the most luxurious hotels of its era and hosted the city’s most famous guests, from Ataturk and foreign heads to state to Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, Ernest Hemingway, and Greta Garbo.
First Organic Hotel in Istanbul The 19 room Five Boutique Hotel in Harbiye is Istanbul’s first organic hotel, opening in 2009. Everything is made with organic materials and the hotel has been designed with the guests’ health in mind with its organic textiles, menu and other details. The shampoos, bath soaps, cleaning materials, textiles, mini-bars and most of the ingredients in the breakfast buffet are organic.
Other new hotels set to open in the city during Istanbul 2010 include: Diamond of Istanbul in Maslak; Savanora Hotel in Büyükçekmece; Silence Istanbul Hotel in Kadıköy; Donizetti Palas in Beyoğlu and the Ortaköy Townhouse in Ortaköy.
Limra by Jade Jagger for yoo off-plan apartments: Limra by Jade Jagger for yoo is a new, luxury apartment development on Turkey’s celebrated Turquoise Coast near the unspoilt town of Finike, 1.5 hours from Antalya Airport and 2.5 hours from Dalaman Airport. Under the creative direction of Jade Jagger, the development reinterprets the lavish traditions of ancient Lycia for contemporary resort-style living. Off-plan apartments are offered in two phases, to be completed by December 2010 and December 2012, respectively.
History & Archaeology News
In Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia Museum a mosaic image of a six-winged angel, or seraph, has been uncovered. The mosaic had been covered over in plaster during restorations of the Hagia Sophia in 1849 and has now been brought to the light of day again. It is thought to date to the 9th century and is in a very good state of preservation. Also in Istanbul, excavations are continuing at Yenikapi, believed to be the site of the Theodosius Harbour, which dates to Byzantine times. The excavations have yielded the remains of a harbour, 33 ships, and numerous ceramics. In 2009, ancient tombs were also found and it is now thought that the history of site goes back 8000 years.
In the city of Bergama in western Turkey, a fortified tower dating back to the ancient Roman era has been made newly accessible to the public after three years of restoration work. The round, 13-metre-high tower, built in the second century A.D., is one of the best preserved Roman domed constructions in existence.
Major archaeological discoveries were made throughout Turkey in 2009 and it was a year of many ‘firsts’. At the ancient city of Troy, archaeologists have found the remains of a man and a woman believed to have died in 1,200 B.C., the time of the legendary Trojan War. The discovery appears to indicate that the lower area of the city was larger in the late Bronze Age than had earlier been thought, and may change scholars' ideas about the city that Homer chronicled in his epic the ‘Iliad’.
At Catalhoyuk, one of the world’s oldest known human settlement sites, archaeologists have for the first time established the existence of two-level houses at the site. Excavations at Andriake, located in Antalya’s Demre district have revealed evidence of a Jewish temple dating to the Roman period was found. This is the first evidence that has been found in the area of a Jewish presence during the Roman period. And in excavations in Izmir’s Agora, a new Roman temple was uncovered that is believed to have been dedicated to Nemesis, the goddess of justice and retribution.
