Tag Archives: tURKEY

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.

Turkish Airlines increased the frequency of its Dubai to Turkey route to three daily flights to its Istanbul hub which connects travelers to over 300 destinations worldwide while maintaining the utmost care for a safe and healthy travel experience.  The new flight will start to operate from the 17th of June and is now available for purchase for holiday planners looking to escape the summer heat. It will depart from Dubai daily at 10:20 and arrive in Istanbul at 14:00 with return flights leaving Istanbul at 20:40 and arriving in Dubai the next morning at 2:00. All times are local times of their departure points. Turkish Airlines launched a promotional campaign that will be available until June 18, 2021 to announce the new flights. Tickets for Economy Class are starting at AED 1595 while Business Class tickets are starting from AED 10775 for the campaign period. The tickets purchased during the campaign are valid for the travel period until February 28, 2022. The flight will be operated with wide body aircrafts. The passengers travelling from UAE will not be required to submit a negative PCR test result if they submit a document issued by the relevant country’s official authorities stating that they have been vaccinated at least 14 days before entry to Turkey and /or have contracted the Covid-19 and were cured within the last 6 months. Passengers may visit Turkish Airlines website to have more details. The airline also launched its Newark route, starting its flights on 22nd May 2021. Newark is the 10th USA destination in the extensive network of the flag carrier. Other new destinations launched include Vancouver, Canada and Turkistan, Kazakhstan.  

Inbound medical tourism in Turkey rises, as the nation’s healthcare facilities have treated 264,138 medical tourists in the first six months of 2019, with the year-end projections estimated at one million incoming medical tourists. This forecast will generate upwards of USD 3.5 billion in revenues, surpassing the USD 2.5 billion generated by the end of the previous year, which saw 551,748 tourists travelling into Turkey from over 120 countries to avail healthcare treatments. Salih Ozer, Attaché of Culture and Information, Turkey to the UAE, said, “Tourists come to Turkey for a lot more than its sights; medical tourism into our cities has been climbing steadily over the last decade. We have been investing heavily in the growth of our healthcare sector, and we now offer high-quality treatments at very affordable prices. Medical tourists from our GCC neighbours, in particular, come to Turkey to avail cosmetic treatments. They are drawn in by the opportunity to combine these treatments with Turkish holidays.” The Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Yalova and Adana receive the highest number of medical tourists each year, from GCC nations, including the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, as well as from Germany, Russia. Azerbaijan and Iraq. The top ten clinics for medical tourists listed services under ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology, cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics and cardiology as the top treatments in 2018.

The Higher Organising Committee of IWAS World Games Sharjah 2019 confirmed that 1,462 participants from 50 countries are set to compete in the world’s largest wheelchair and amputee sports championship in Sharjah from February 10-16. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member Ruler of Sharjah, the IWAS World Games has returned to the emirate for the second time after its successful debut in the city in 2011. The eighth edition of the world championship brings together seven games including archery, athletics, badminton, swimming, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair fencing. New details of the upcoming biennial sports championship were revealed at a press conference held recently at Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort & Spa. Global athletes landing in Sharjah over the next few days are set to represent 50 competing nations confirmed by the Higher Organising Committee which include the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Algeria, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, India, Sweden, Ukraine, Thailand, Turkey, Brazil, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Kenya, Russia, China, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Italy, South Africa, South Korea, Poland, Pakistan, Norway, Kenya, Latvia, Macau, Azerbaijan, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Serbia, France, Georgia, the UK, the US, Hong Kong, Greece, Czech Republic, Austria, Belarus and Comoros.