The Blue Voyage - S&M Publication ltd

1.7 Million Followed Red Bull Air Race in IstanbulAbout 1.7 million fans crowd the banksof Golden Horn for the the fourth RedBull Air Race World Series event of theseason in Istanbul on Saturday 2ndJune. Mike Mangold (Team Cobra/USA) beat Paul Bonhomme (Team Matador/GBR)in Istanbul, flying throughan obstacle course just metres abovethe Golden Horn estuary that marks theboundary between Europe and Asia. Ina thrilling quarter-final showdown, thewinner of the last Red Bull Air Race lastmonth in Monument Valley Peter Besenyei(HUN) was nipped by AlejandroMaclean (ESP) by just 0.04 seconds.Mangold picked up his first win ofRed Bull Air Race World Series aftercompleting a superb run at speeds ofup to 400 kph (250 mph), dealingwith forces of up to 10G through thespectacular Air Gate course stretchedout in the estuary between the GalataBridge and the Atatürk Bridge in atime of 01:31.78 minutes to edge outPaul Bonhomme, who trailed by 1.39seconds through the circuit. Mangold,whose plane lost a wingtip attachmentduring Friday’s qualifying, thankedhis ground crew for the victory. “Mycrew won this race. I wasn’t even sureif I was going to be able to start.”Mangold’s mechanics worked late intothe night Friday to fix the aircraft in timefor today’s race. Second-place finisherBonhomme praised the winner: “It wasimpossible to beat Mike. He was fantastic.”In the consolation race for thirdplace, Kirby Chambliss (USA) beat AlejandroMaclean (+5.26 seconds). “I’mnot the kind of person that’s happy witha third place win,” Chambliss said.“It’s a high-speed course and Mike reallyhandled it the best. ”The stop inIstanbul, the fourth leg of the 10-raceRed Bull Air Race World Series, wasthe first of the season in Europe andmarked a return to water and sea levelafter last month’s stop in the altitude ofMonument Valley, in the United States,that was held over the rugged westernlandscape on the Utah-Arizona border.The first two races of the year were alsostaged at sea level at Abu Dhabi andRio de Janiero. The next stop is in Interlaken(CH) on 14-15 July. Last yearthere were more than six million spectatorsat eight races. Bonhomme currentlyleads the championship with 20 pointsfollowed by Mike Mangold just one pointbehind.800 Planes Land to Istanbul DailyWith the start of summer season, IstanbulAtaturk Airport is having its busiestdays. According to reports at newspapersat least 800 planes landed toIstanbul’s International Atatürk Airporteveryday in June. On Thursday (June28), the airport broke a new record with875 landing / take-off. A plane eitherlanded or took off every 1.7 minutes.The airport operates with three runways.However, still planes had to wait in theair to land. According to sources, lastweek Istanbul had the busiest days inits history that 875 planes landed andtook-off on Thursday. In other words, aplane used the airport every 1.7 minuteswhere 3 minutes is the world standards.At least 800 planes used the airporteach day throughout the week therefore10 to 60 minutes delays occurred.Turkey to Bid for17th Mediterranean GamesTurkey’s southern Mediterranean cityof Mersin will bid for the 17th MediterraneanGames to be held in 2013.Delivering a speech at a meeting heldto promote the city’s candidacy for themulti-sport games, Turkish State MinisterKursad Tuzmen said, “Mersin is the pearlof the Mediterranean. Mersin’s peoplehave been lobbying to be the hostcity of 17th Mediterranean Games.”Tuzmen said that Mersin has been acommercial hub for centuries in Mediterraneanbasin, noting that people ofMersin have been carrying out lobbyingactivities to host the games regardless ofpolitical party affiliation.“This is the picture I want to see. I willdo my best to support this synergy,” Tuzemenadded. Mersin will compete withGreece’s Valos and Croatia’s Rijeka tobe the host city of 17th MediterraneanGames, Anatolia said. The MediterraneanGames, which takes place everyfour year since 1951, are a multi-sportgames for nations bordering the MediterraneanSea. The 16th MediterraneanGames will be held in the Italian city ofPescara in 2009.

The presentationsstaged under thepromotion activitiesof Izmir’s Expo2015 candidacy inParis on drew greatattraction. A Turkishdelegation made apresentation on Izmirat the InternationalExhibitions Bureau (BIE) in order towin the right to host the EXPO 2015.Izmir tried to strengthen its candidacywith the presentation which started witha mini performance by renown percussionistBurhan Ocal and continued witha dance show by whirling dervishes.J ean-LucMartinez,the chief curatorat theDepartmentof Greek,Etruscanand RomanAntiquitiesin the MuseumLouvreand IzmirFrench Cultural Center Director Jean-Luc Maeso, visited Izmir MetropolitanMunicipality Mayor Aziz Kocaoglu.Reminding of the exhibition about Izmirin Louvre Museum and the cooperationof Kocaoglu, Martinez noted: “Now,The shows stirred great applause fromthe audience. “ Izmir is at a cross roadsof north-south and east-west. Such a traitmakes Izmir a global meeting point,”said Mehmet Aydin, Turkish State Minister.“EXPO 2015 will not bring goodresults for only the host nation but alsofor the whole Eastern Mediterraneanregion,” noted Aydin. According toAydin , Turkey is a physical and culturalbridge between Europe and Asia. “Turkey is an important center not onlyfor holiday tourism but also for culturaltourism and religious tourism. Turkeyhas everything to offer to everybody,”underlined Aydin.Louvre Museum to Start “World Series” with IzmirAnother summer season has startedin Turkey’s resort city; Antalya. Occupancyrate in hotels in southern city ofAntalya reached 100 percent. Numberof tourists arriving to Antalya increasedrapidly with the close of schools in Germany.It was announced that numberwe, as Louvre Museum , are preparinga book about the ancient period of acity for the first time in the world. Up tonow, we have never printed a book ona single city. Our study will include differentcities from all over the world. Wewanted to start with Izmir . Izmir andits environs were very important duringthe archaeological period. Besides, asFrench, we have built strong and closerelationships with Izmir up to now,especially since the 17th and 18thcenturies. ”Kocaoglu, calling for theexhibition at the Louvre, said: “ LouvreMuseum will complete the book on Izmirin 2008. They are planning to printone book each year. We will definitelygive full support to the project .”Antalya is Again Full of Touristsof tourists arriving to Antalya by planehas increased 9.5 % between Januaryand May compare to same period lastyear. The number of tourists arrived toAntalya Airport recorded 1 million and799 thousand.The JCI (Junior Chamber International)World Congress will be held in Mediterraneancity of Antalya between November5th-11th, 2007. Releasing astatement, JCI --worldwide federation ofyoung leaders and entrepreneurs-- saidthat nearly 5,000 delegates from 120countries are expected to attend the62nd JCI World Congress. Exhibitions,fairs, training seminars, panel discussionsand national parties will be heldduring the congress. JCI was establishedin the United States in 1914. Thechamber has more than 20,000 membersat the age of 18-40 all over theworld. JCI aims to boost leadership andentrepreneurial abilities of youths.On the other hand, JCI Turkey whichwas founded in 1988 has 15 chaptersand more than 600 members.Tourist Visiting Turkey UpThe number of foreigners visiting Turkeyin May 2007 was up 19.2 percent overthe same month of the previous year, announcedTurkish Board of Statistics (TUIK).According to data released by TUIK,2.2 million foreign tourists visitedTurkey in May 2007, while thisnumber was 1.9 million last year.German nationals rank first in the list offoreigners who arrived in Turkey in May,following by Russian, British, Dutch,Bulgarian, Iranian, American, Ukrainian,Georgian and French citizens.On the other hand, the number of foreignersvisiting Turkey in the first fivemonths of this year reached 6.4 million(a 16.4 p.c. rise). This number was only5.5 million in the same period last year.Istanbul to Host 50 LeastDeveloped Countries in a SummitThe world’s 50 least developed countrieswill meet in Istanbul for asummit on July 9 and 10, to discussways to integrate their economiesinto the global system and to improvethe quality of life in their countries.Either the Turkish foreign minister orthe prime minister is expected to attendthe opening ceremony of thesummit and to address the participatingministers. Turkey will also seek toimprove its ties with those countries.The conference of the Least DevelopedCountries (LDCs) titled “Making GlobalizationWork” is organized in collaborationwith the UN Office of the HighRepresentative for the Least DevelopedCountries, Landlocked Developing Countriesand Small Island DevelopingStates (UN-OHRLLS) and the UnitedNations Development Program (UNDP).The objectives of the conference are todraw attention to the marginalization ofLDCs in the global economy; to highlightthe need for beneficial integration ofLDCs in the global economy as a prerequisitefor their sustainable developmentand to promote South-South cooperation.

Turkey Promoted At Cannes Film FestivalTurkey was promoted with wide-scaleactivities at the 60th Cannes Film Festival,which was held from May 16th to27th. Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministryheld a reception where jury members,moviemakers, artists and press membersattended at the Turkish pavilionon May 22nd. Beside the Turkey standand its activities, Turkish director FatihAkin and his movie as well as Nobel LaureateOrhan Pamuk as a jury memberhelped Turkey’s promotion in Cannes.Moreover, Fatih Akin’s “The Edge ofHeaven” received its first cinematic honor on Saturday by TheEcumenical Jury Award, a small but prestigious Cannes prize becauseof its power in bringing home a tragedy about two familiesbridging the East-West divide. On Sunday, Fatih Akin this timereceived a more prestigious award at the last night. Fatih Akinreceived t he award for Best Screenplay for The Edge of Heaven,a story of loss and forgiveness. At the same night, Romanianentry “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days” walked away with thePalme d’Or for best film out of 22 in the main competition. TheGrand Prix runner-up prize went to the acclaimed “The MourningForest”, a lyrical Japanese movie about mourning and grief directedby Naomi Kawase.Best director was Julian Schnabel for “TheDiving Bell and the Butterfly”, based on the true story of Frenchjournalist Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffered a stroke and wasparalysed yet managed to write a book using one eyelid to communicate.Best actor was Konstantin Lavronenko from RussianAndrei Zvyagintsev’s “The Banishment”. Best actress was JeonDo-yeon for South Korean competition entry “Secret Sunshine”.Swedish Committee Visited Izmir for“Sustainable Tourism”The Swedish Committee, arrived Izmir inthe scope of the ‘Sustainable Tourism’project, visited Izmir Metropolitan MunicipalityMayor Aziz Kocaoglu. EuropeanUnion Coordinator Jon Martissongave information about the sustainabletourism project developed by the municipalitiesunion of the two countries andsaid that the project would contribute alot in Turkey’s EU membership process.Martisson spoke of the characteristics and the tourism potentialof the city of Kalmar , Sweden . Swedish politician Lina Lingtell,Kalmar University Tourism Programs Lecturer Anneli Andersson,Kalmar Town Council Member and City Planning CommitteeMember Genita Abaza also participated in the visit. The committeealso visited non-governmental organizations, universitiesand historical sites in the city. Kocaoglu, emphasizing the tourismpotential of Izmir , expressed his satisfaction about the visit of theSwedish guests and added: “I hope, by the help of this project,that the number of Swedish tourists visiting our country will increase.”The committee members gave Kocaoglu presents unique totheir countries, while Mayor Kocaoglu’s gifted them with a booknamed Izmir Postcards which includes hundred-year-old photos ofthe city. Izmir representatives of the Sustainable Tourism project,Karsiyaka and Bornova Municipalities, gave life to the projectdeveloped with the help of EU funds, declaring Izmir and Kalmaras sister cities.In BriefAlain Rigazzi has been appointed to MövenpickHotel Izmir as General Manager.Zeynep Çiftçioglu has been appointed toFour Seasons Hotel Istanbul asAlian RigazziPublic Relations Director.Armin Zerunyan has been appointed toHilton Istanbul as the ClusterGeneral Manager.Mehmet Gök Executive Chef of Four SeasonsArmin ZerunyanHotel Istanbul. has been appointed to IstanbulMarriott Asia Hotel as Director ofSales and Marketing.has been appointed to HiltonAdana and Mersin asGeneral Manager.tali2365m as Sales and MarketingCoordinator.Sedat Murat Çoker has been appointedto Ramada Plaza Istanbul Hotel asSales and Marketing Director.Aydin AytugMurat Eroglu has been appointed as theCEO of Dedeman Holding.Güniz Atis has been appointed to IstanbulModern as General Manager. re-elected as the Chairman Guniz AtisHotel Association.Muazzez Tonguç has been appointed toGeneral Manager.Eric Willems has been appointed to Qa-Serdar KoçrumMarina Vista Hotel asMuazzez TongucGeneral Manager.Recep Özdemir has been appointed toCrowne Plaza Istanbul - Old City asGeneral Manager Assistant.Former Chairman -Recep Ozdemir Development. has been appointed as the

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-after this ruler’s defeat at the hands of Timur the town was returned to--from the camels for export to Europe by ship through the Aegean and---- shores are among the most fascinating and beautiful stretches in the -- - from falls adds a new dimension to both teaching and learning to wind--other is the depth of the sea which does not exceed one and a half--season from May to October one may encounter windsurfers fromsea are accommodated at two schools of surfing on the shore and at-

- - described these mineral springs as the ‘sea springs’ and claimed that - - How to go - Where to Stay-

LBodrumocated on the Aegean coast of Turkey, less than 4 hours drive from to experience. However caution should be your watchword with Raki, it is aIzmir, easily accessed se by air (and quite often by sea) Bodrum offers delicious and versatile drink, but it can also “creep up” on the unaware – youa host of entertainment to the casual and serious visitor alike. have been warned! It is soon becomes clear to every visitor to Turkey that theBodrum truly offers something for everybody, sun, sea, beaches, region is steeped in Ancient history, Bodrum, the ancient city of “Halicarnas-vista, food, shopping, history, daytime amusement and Nightlife to rival anythingto be found in the Mediterranean. The 11th century castle of St. Peter the Town as far back as 5000 years and area has been used as a trading portsus” is for sure no exception to this. Excavation sites place the settlement ofprovides the focal point of the town. Which also seems to neatly divide the pretty much since then, the regions calm waters and natural harbor being theshopping, restaurant and entertainment area from the peaceful palm-lined main contributors. Around 300 – 400 BC Bodrum became the capital of thewaterfront promenade. During the summer months this is stocked with the Carian Empire further enhancing it’s trading reputation whilst gaining fame forfamous Bodrum wooden “Gullets” and will eventually lead you to the marina it’s local Boat Building Skills, the latter of which survives to this day in the formoccupied by exquisite yachts from all parts of the world. Depending on your of the Bodrum Gulet. Bodrum and one of the 7 wonders of the world: “Themood, you can chose to sit and relax in one of the many waterside cafés and Mausoleum at Halicarnassus” Constructed for King Maussollos, the Persianlet the world wash by you. Or you can take a daily blue cruse, or sign up for Satrap of Caria and completed around 350 BC, three years after his death.an underwater scuba adventure. Dining out is also an experience not to be This highly ornate 40-Meter marble structure adorned with friezes, statues ofmissed, the best of the Turkish Kitchen, delicious seafood, Aegean specialty horses and men survived for 16 Centuries before an earthquake damaged thedishes and International cuisine are all available. A long, relaxing typical Turkishmeal consisting of “Meze” to start, main course of Fish (or Meat) with mage in the 1500’s when the Knights of St. John used virtually all the stonesroof and colonnade. The structure unfortunately then suffered “Man Made” da-fruits or delicious Turkish sweets to finish accompanied by one of the excellent from the Mausoleum to fortify their Crusader Castle. Today only the foundationsare visible at the original site of the Mausoleum, but remnants of local wines or even the traditional “Lions Milk” (Raki) is a must for any visitorstones,

can be seen within the walls and structureof Bodrum Castle. For the real history buffStatues, sculptures and remains of the friezefrom the Mausoleum are on display in TheBritish Museum. The Castle has undergoneseveral different uses over the years, houseshave been built within, public baths installed,a minaret was added to the chapel (convertingit into a mosque) and has actually beenused as a prison. During the First World Wara warship fired on the Castle, causing structuraldamage to several towers and topplinga minaret. After the war the castle was usedto house an Italian garrison who made somerepairs to the towers before finally withdrawingin 1921. For almost 40 years after theItalian withdrawal the Castle stood idle andwas used only to store artifacts from localexcavations and shipwrecks. Finally thoughthe castle has been refurbished and openedup as a tourist attraction housing one of thefinest museums in the region.How to GoThere are several daily flights to Bodrumwith airlines. The Bodrum-Milas Airport is 30km. from the city center. There are also regularferryboat services to the Greek islandsof Cos and Rhodes. The ferryboats and seabusesall leave from the main harbor.Where to stayYou can find a bed in a pension to five starhotel for any budget in Bodrum.

The Blue VoyageThe pioneers of the blue voyagewere two famous Turkish writers,Cevat Sakir Kabaagacli (betterknown as Fisherman of Halicarnassus)and Sabahattin Eyüboglu,and their circle of friends.They set out in a fishing boat fromBodrum to explore the shores tothe south, beginning with the Gulfof Gökova, aiming to seek theroots of Anatolian Turkish culturein the ancient settlements of thispart of Ionia.True to its spirit, theideal itinerary for a Blue Voyagemust allow you to best penetratethe sense and soul of placeswhere you anchor. So, instead ofrushing from one spot to the next,a program has to strike a balancebetween the time spent at sea,the time passed in various bays,villages or ancient sites and thetime required to enjoy them. Forthose on a private cruise, we recommendan itinerary visiting as many places as possible without makingthe cruise tiresome. Cabin charter tours are scheduled in accordance withthis philosophy, as well. The Blue Voyage offers the best possible escape onthe water: a means of forgetting the rigors of everyday life for a while and justletting go of time. Most of yachts are of the traditional wooden variety, builtin Bodrum. On a week week cruise, travellers sail along the Gökova coast,through crystal clear waters frequented by schools of dolphins and into quietbays, the harbors of small, picturesque villages and many a historic port. Betweenthe beginning of May and the end of September, Turkey is extra busywith the height of summer bringing millions to the coastal regions. July andAugust days are long and hot and the nights are warm. June, the beginningof July and all of September offer a better combination, with warm days andcool evenings. The water in September can be especially warm in places.The months of May and October offer excellent sailing conditions and theopportunity to go trekking or fishing.

Riza Epikmen Candidate for Türsab PresidencyBoard Member ofTransorient TravelAgency and TürsabVice-PresidentRiza Epikmen announcedthat heis one of the candidatesof Türsab-Ferry boat tours between Çanakkaleand Istanbul by ‘Samsun’ and ‘Ankara’ferry boats will become operationalnext year, said the Turkish TravelAgencies Association (TÜRSAB.)‘Samsun’ and ‘Ankara’ ferry boats underwenta comprehensive maintenancework in order to service the route reportedby Hanifi Araz from TÜRSAB.Araz said the ferry boats, which hada successful season last year betweenIstanbul and Izmir, were now operatingbetween Istanbul and Bodrum.Cappadociawhichis famousfor its spectacularlandscape,fairychimneysand paintedrock churches will soon host golfers.Indigo Turizm is opening a golf course atUçhisar Valley at the end of June 2007.It is also planned that the golf course willhost an international golf tournament.CEO of Indigo Turizm and MuseumAssociation ofTurkish Travel Agencies. Epikmenworked as a Board Member at Türsabbetween 1999-2001, GeneralSecretariat between 2001-2003,and as Vice-President since 2003.Riza Epikmen is the strongest candidatefor the Presidency of Türsab at the18 th General Assembly that will takeplace in November 2007 in Istanbul. Previously current President BasaranUlusoy has announced that he willnot be candidate at the next election.Türsab Launches Çanakkale Istanbul Ferry Route“We plan to operate ferry boat toursbetween Istanbul and Çanakkale nextyear from March to May. When the toursstart we will have solved a notableproblem of transportation to Çanakkale.The ferry boats are planned to operatethree tours a week,” Araz said.Araz also noted that TÜRSAB presidentBasaran Ulusoy played an importantrole in launching the tours. “The ferryboat tours will promote tourism to Çanakkaleas the town will become accessiblefrom new directions,” Araz added.Indigo Tourism Brings Golf Tourism to CappadociaBoutique Hotel; Ömer Tosun said playinggolf between fairy chimneys atCappadocia is his biggest dream.Tosun added that with the opening oftheir golf course, the region will alsocontribute the golf tourism in Turkey .Tosun said that they have attended theLuxury Fair in Cannes this year and receivedgreat attention of golf tour operators.Tosun noted that they will offer“cross golf” service at their 18 holegolf course adding that there is no specificrules for “cross golf” in the worldtherefore they will set their own rules.Boat Tour to Akdamar ChurchAn excursion boat project funded by rism agency, which wants to attractthe European Union is set to boost tourismin the restored Akdamar church, urists to Akdamar island. Today Ak-more domestic and international to-a 10th century Armenian Church on damar church, which was recentlythe island of Akdamar in lake Van. renovated, serves as a museum.An excursion boat with 110-person capacityhas been built in Iskenderun to project and general director of GrandHikmet Deniz, manager of the boatfacilitate access to the island. The buildingof the boat is part of the Eastern ning of Akdamar church as a muse-Deniz Tourism, expects that the reope-Anatolia Development Project, which um will lead to a tourism boom in thereceived 60,000 euros support from area. The boat will carry all domesticand foreign tourists, particularlythe EU. The boat, which cost 120,000euros, will be taken to Van shortly. Armenians, to the island,” he said.The project is run by a private tou-Tez Tour to Open Varna-AntalyaRouteRussian-Turkish travel companyTez Tour plans to open a regularVarna-Antalya route after theend of the 2007 tourist season.The news are probably related to thefact that Germany’s Fraport AG, theoperator of the Varna airport, and itsTurkish partner IC Holding were licensedto run the Antalya airport through ‘24.Bilban Tourism Organizes2nd Iran Tourism ExhibitionA Turkish company --Bilban Tourismwill organize “Iran Tourism Exhibition”in Tehran for the second time.Arzu Bilban Aslan, Director Generalof Bilban Tourism, said that the2nd Iran Tourism Exhibition wouldkick off in Tehran on May 28th.Aslan added that 25 Turkish and Iranianhotels would promote themselves atthe event which would run till May 30th.The exhibition is also assisted by culturalcounselor at Turkish Embassy in Tehran .Deniz Cruise & Ferry Lines StartIstanbul-Bodrum VoyagesDeniz Cruise & Ferry Lines announcedthat the company started Istanbul– Bodrum voyages as of May 18.Istanbul - Bodrum – Istanbul voyageswill be organized until September 10.On Fridays voyages will start fromIstanbul Sarayburnu at 14.00 andarrive Bodrum at 12.00 on nextday. Return from Bodrum will be at10.00 on Saturdays and arrival toIstanbul will be 08.00 on Monday.On the other hand Deniz Cruise &Ferry Lines continue their Istanbul – Izmirvoyages. The ferries will depart at16.00 on Wednesday and Thursdayfrom Istanbul and return ferry will departat 09.00 on Thursday and Friday.

Yalcintas Named Chairman ofASCAMEThe Chairman of the Executive Boardof Istanbul Chamber of Commerce(ITO) and Istanbul Convention and VisitorsBureau (ICVB); Murat Yalçintasnamed as the Chairman of Associationof Chambers of Commerce & Industryof the Mediterranean (ASCAME).“ASCAME will contribute to not onlycommercial relations but also settlementof peace in the Mediterraneanand the world,” Yalçintas said duringa reception hosted at ITO HQ inIstanbul on the sidelines of 18th regulargeneral assembly meeting ofASCAME that took place in Istanbul.Caravan Tourism Gets Popularin CappadociaThe number of camping sites allocatedto caravans have been gradually increasingin Cappadocia region, whichis one of the most renowned culturaland natural tourist hubs in Turkey.The camping centres, which spreadover on a 7,000 sq.m. area, offer manyservices such as parking lots, showers,pools, toilets, electricity and water forboth local and foreign tourists whovisit the region with their caravans.By paying a fee of 5-15 EUR, visitorscan benefit from all the facilities at thesesites which are also open to camperswho would like to pitch up tents.According to sources, many caravannersfrom Germany, France, Czech Republic,Hungary and Italy prefer Cappadociaregion for their camping holidays.Last Days for GAP Tourby Arsan TourismArsan Tourism is organizing a GAPTour between 8 and 12 August2007. The tour includes stops at Gaziantep,Adiyaman, Nemrut, AtaturkDam, Harran Sanliurfa, Mardin,Midyat, Hasankeyf, and Diyarbakir .4 rooms left for this special interesttour. Last reservation date is June 9.For more information about the tour andreservations please contact Arsan Tourism0342 220 6464 pr www.arsan.com.trFinnish Tour Operator to Expand in TurkeyFinland’s largest package tour operatorAurinkomatkat is looking for a new destinationin southern Turkey. In 2006 theturnover of the firm, which is a part of theFinnair Group, was 240 million euros.Jukka Salama, managing director ofAurinkomatkat, told the Turkish DailyNews that the firm is currently researchingnew business opportunities insouthern Turkey . “Our main destinationsat the moment are Alanya andMarmaris but we also send tourists toSide, Kemer, Bodrum and Belek. Weare very keen to expand our productportfolio by adding a new destination,which we will market in our Summer2008 brochure,” Salama said.Aurinkomatkat currently holds a 40percent share of the Finnish packageholiday market. In 2006 the totalturnover of the company was 260million euros. In 2006 approximately48,000 Finns vacationed in Turkey .According to Mr. Salama, package toursfrom Finland experienced a temporarydrop last year because of the bombingsin Marmaris and Kusadasi. “However,this year we can already see a change.The number of Finnish holidaymakersThe Turkish Associationof TravelAgents (TÜRSAB)Chairman BasaranUlusoy notedthat from this yearonward Travel TurkeyFair will take place in Izmir instead ofIstanbul that has been its original venue.A press conference to promote TravelTurkey Fair was held at the Izmir HiltonHotel where Ulusoy provided informationabout the event. Izmir GovernorCahit Kiraç, Mayor Aziz Kocaogluand Izmir Trade Chamber (IZTO) ExecutiveBoard Chairman Ekrem Demirtaswere present at the conference.Ulusoy said they decided together withGerman fair mogul, Hannover MesseInternational, to move the fair to Izmir .“We will continue to develop thefair, which has become an internationalbrand, in Izmir. We have reachedan eight-year agreement withHannover Messe. We will promotethe fair in Tunisia, Morocco, Greeceand Croatia for these countriesto set up stands at the fair. We willin Turkey is on the rise and we expectit to reach 70,000 this year. If domesticpolitics in Turkey remains stable, thegrowth will continue further in 2008.”Weekend breaks to Istanbul are alsoon the cards for the firm that is part ofthe Finnair Group. “We will be veryinterested in offering long weekendbreaks to Istanbul once Finnair relaunchesdirect flights to Istanbul . Ideally,there should be two flights a weekto enable people visiting Istanbul tohave a long weekend or a mini-break,”Salama explains. At the momentonly Turkish Airlines operates directflights between Helsinki and Istanbul .Aurinkomatkat started marketing Turkeyto Finnish holidaymakers in 1984.Its first destination was Marmaris.Alanya, which today attracts almosthalf the Finnish tourists visiting Turkeyeach year, was included in the firm’sproduct range in 1987. Today, theaverage cost of a one-week holidayfor a family of four in Alanya in Augustcosts approximately 1,600 euros.Aurinkomatkat markets both hotelsand self catering accommodation,but only a few all-inclusive options.Travel Turkey Moves to Izmirwipe away the dust in the brand ofIzmir thanks to this fair,” said Ulusoy.He added that they had initiateda project for the illumination of theancient city of Ephesus and therestoration of the ancient theater.Kiraç said it was a very good idea tomove the fair from Istanbul to Izmir .“ Izmir has history, culture, humanresources and the will to organizethis fair successfully,” he added.Mayor Kocaoglu said they had acceleratedthe restoration of historicsites in the city and made investmentsin tourism. “This fair will be a turningpoint and touchstone in Izmir .”IZTO Chairman Demirtas said Izmir received3.9 percent share from Turkey ‘stourism and added: “This rate means thatIzmir does not exist in the tourism sector.This fair is an opportunity for the city.”This year, with the cooperation of IzmirFair (IZFAS), TÜRSAB and HannoverMesse, Travel Turkey will be held onDecember 13-16 at the Izmir Fair Area.The fair’s partner country will be Greeceand the theme will be Culture Tourism.

Sheraton Istanbul Maslak OpensA n e wSheraton hotelin Istanbul isgoing to openon May 24 aftera franchiseagreem entbetween StarwoodHotels &Resorts Worldwide,Inc.®and OC TourismServicesInc. Istanbul Princess Hotel is re-flaggedto Sheraton Istanbul. The 30-story hotelis located in Maslak, in the heart ofIstanbul ‘s “new business district.” It iswithin walking distance of the IstanbulStock Exchange, just three miles fromthe Bosphorus Straight and six milesfrom the city’s historic district. “We aredelighted to expand our footprint inTurkey, a true crossroads between Asiaand Europe, as Starwood furthers itsworldwide growth,” said Erhard Noreisch,Sr. Vice President, Regional DirectorEast & Central Europe, StarwoodHotels & Resorts. “OC Tourism sharesStarwood’s confidence in the powerof our brands, as we launch the beginningof our partnership together. ”In aneffort to make people feel at home inevery aspect of their stay, the SheratonIstanbul Maslak will feature 32-inchflat screen televisions in all of its 305guestrooms, as well as the brand’s signatureSheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed®,a comfortable assemblage that startswith a plush mattress and crisp cottonsheets, topped by a cluster of plumpdown pillows, signature blanket andduvet. Guest rooms will also feature anergonomically superior work area witha roomy chair and desk as well as wirelessInternet access. Guests will relax inthe hotel’s fully refurbished and redesignedlobby, including the installationof Link@Sheraton, a communicationshub that enables guests to work in awarm, cozy environment, check email,review local attractions and even printout boarding passes while chattingwith family, friends and business colleagues.The Sheraton Istanbul Maslakjoins three existing hotels in Turkey, operatingunder its Sheraton and LuxuryCollection brands in Ankara, Antalyaand Cesme. In addition, the W Istanbuland Sheraton Istanbul Atakoy are bothscheduled to open in late 2007 and theFour Points by Sheraton Istanbul Atakoywill open in early 2008.More Foreigners Choosing Turkey as Wedding VenueThe increasing number of foreign weddingsin Turkey means the sign “Evleniyoruz-- Mutluyuz” (we’re marrying -- we’rehappy), traditionally posted on a weddingvehicle, is now facing competition fromsigns reading “Just Married.” Many peoplefrom other countries choose to get marriedin Turkey because they can slash the costof a wedding; from 10,000 to just 1,000pounds in some cases. British couple theOsbornes decided to get married in Turkeyin order to save money and allow Britishfriends already here on holiday to attendthe ceremony. “There are not so manypeople in our country [at the moment]. Sowe planned to have our wedding here.Weddings in Turkey are not only cheaperbut also enjoyable,” they said. Some 225weddings were conducted last year inFethiye alone. Although this year’s statisticshave not been revealed, the numberof foreign weddings is expected to behigher. For couples who are delaying marriagebecause of enormous wedding costs,Turkey can also be the ticket to matrimony,as it was for the Osbornes. Delaying marriagefor several years due to the highcosts in their homeland, they finally said “Ido” in front of Turkish authorities. “Turkeyis the ideal country in which to get marriedbecause people can turn their dreamsinto a reality here,” the couple said. JennyOsborne added: “The climate conditionsand natural beauty fascinate people. If wehad had our wedding in England, manyof our friends would not have attendedand it would have been too expensive.”David Osborne agrees with his wife. Thesemarriages are contributing to Turkey’s tourismindustry. With an increasing large demandfor weddings in the seaside resort,hotels are trying to meet the demand. TanerOkar, owner of Taner Hotel, said therewere more foreigners than Turks who gotmarried in Fethiye in the last two years.He added since more tourists are buyinghouses in Turkey it influences their decisionto get married here. Jean Oliver, whohas been living in Fethiye for five years,said he has been trying to persuade hispoorer friends to get married in Turkey. Headded it was possible to have a beautifulwedding here all year round, thanks to thetemperate climate.Ontur Hotels Group Opens OnturHotel Izmirby Çetinay Aksoy - IzmirPrestigious in tourism industry; Ontur HotelsGroup opened its third property inIzmir city center, incorporating Aegeanhospitality with its personal service anda relaxed atmosphere. The hotel will operatewith “customized service” for eachhotel guest. Ontur Hotel Izmir is located40 minutes from the airport. It has 80rooms, an indoor swimming pool, TurkishBath, fitness center, sauna. The hotelis an ideal place for business meetingswith its 195 square meters conferenceroom and 300 square meter, 180paxrestaurant. Ontur Hotel Izmir is a greatalternative for those who would like toorganize a wedding or conference anytime of year. The rooms are designed tocomply all needs of their guests. Everyroom has facilities from a hairdryer tosafe, from mini bar, to air-conditioning,as well as cable TV and a direct phoneline.Copper Club Ankara Brings LiveMusic 6 Days a WeekCopper Club, being a pioneer in thenight life of Ankara, introduces a greatgroup. Now there is live music six daysa week. The new group Smile Trio, consistsof two female and one male musician,who can play and sing in severallanguages. In addition to the greatperformance of “Smile Trio”, our guestswill continue to have a great experiencewith DJ Gökhan and be fascinated withthe copper ambiance of the club. CopperClub located at the Sheraton Hotel& Convention Center Ankara, lowerground floor is open everyday excepton Sundays from 19.00 hours to 04.00hours. Live music starts at 22.30hours.to be a Tourism ComplexIC Group revealed their plans for futureof Bomonti Bear Factory, which has beensold at a tender for YTL60.2 million. ICGroup will open a new hotel, residenceand 3,500 pax conference center. Thetourism complex will preserve the factorybuilding that is known as being theoldest beer factory in Turkey and establishedin 1890 by the Bomonti brothersof Switzerland. Famous Turkish architecturewho is responsible with the projectsaid that the residences that will be builtwill be the most luxurious in Istanbul .The residence building will be about40-45 floors and residences on 15thfloor will have garden and residenceson 25th floor will have private swimmingpools. The project will cost aboutUS$170 million.

Harem Hotel Celebrated 42nd AnniversaryHarem Hotel located on the AnatolianSide of Istanbul, organized “Welcometo Summer Party” on Friday, June 22 inorder to welcome the summer seasonand to celebrate the 42nd anniversaryof the hotel. Representatives from Turkishtourism industry including presidentsof associations, Vice Governorof Istanbul; Mr. Cumhur Güven Tasbasiand media enjoyed the great food,and music by the pool of Harem Hotel.About Harem Hotel Harem Hotel is locatedon the Anatolian side of Istanbul ,located at the Harem district. Hotel has209 beds and 100 rooms. The hotelhas 250 people capacity restaurant,American bar, outdoor swimming pool.The hotel is very close to the touristicalsites. Tourists can visit important sitesby using the ferry close to the hotel.General Manager of Harem Hotel, Mr.Timur Bayindir, is also the chairman ofIstanbul Hotels’ Association (TUROB).The Marmara Hotels to Invest in 40 ProjectsT u r k -ish hotelchain TheMarmaraplans toinvest $1.5 bln (1.1 bln euro) in 40 newhotel and residential projects within 10years, executive board member KaanGursel said on June 6. The company willfirst focus on Istanbul and then considersinvesting abroad in countries like Kazakhstan,Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Ukraineand Russia, where Turkish businessmenrun businesses. “We are still looking fora suitable land plot in Istanbul on whichto build a hotel or a residential unit,”Gursel said. The chain now runs ninehotels, one of which in New York . Thecompany expects to generate a $60 mln(44.36 mln euro) turnover in 2007 upfrom the $40 mln (29.6 mln euro) it registeredlast year.Cornelia to Open a New Golf Course & ResortThe David Leadbetter Golf Academy(DLGA) is proud to announce that anexciting deal has been signed with CorneliaGolf Club to open a new teachingacademy at the acclaimed resort.The Cornelia Golf Club will offer atone and quality found only at the finestGolf Resorts in the World. The 27Hole Nick Faldo Golf Course will challengegolfers all handicaps. Guests willenjoy their golf experience on this challengingcourse that will wind its waythrough some of the most natural landscapesTurkey has offer. Guests willenjoy magnificent golfand mountain views inour 4800 square-meterclubhouse with unparalleledservice. CorneliaDe Luxe Resort, locatedin Belek, Antalya , is amodern and stylish hotelthat has been designedwith the All Inclusiveconcept. Cornelia willincrease the capacity ofthe region by openinga new 600-room resortwith a 1200 bed capacity next year.With the opening of the resort moregolfers can be accommodated in Belek.General Manager of Cornelia De LuxeResort Hakan Duran commented thatBelek is becoming an important destinationfor golfers. “Currently there are8 operating golf courses in Belek andwith the new investments the numberwill increase to 13-14 golf courses”added Duran. With the opening of thenew resort in 2008, total number ofrooms will be about 1,000 and totalbed capacity will reach 2,000.Türkiz Hotel Enters in Conde NastCondé Nast Johansens, the internationalluxury travel guide of premium resorts, hotels,and spas reaches 13 million peoplein the world. Condé Nast Johansens isthe most comprehensive illustrated luxuryguide to hotels, inns, resorts, and spasthroughout the Americas, Great Britainand Europe, and the only guide book tocarry the prestigious and widely-recognizedCondé Nast seal of approval. Recommendationsare based on excellence,unique style, cuisine, diverse character,and exceptional location, making theGuides one of the most trusted resourcesfor exemplary accommodations. TürkizHotel has announced that the hotel willbe listed in 2008 edition of Conde NastJohansens Recommended Hotels & Spas.Türkiz Hotel Thalasso Centre is locatedon the Turkish Riviera approximately 55km from Antalya International Airportand 45 km from Antalya City Centre. Aluxury 5 star hotel is situated in the centerof Kemer near the Yacth Club. TürkizHotel Thalasso Centre is centrally locatedto the many historical sites along this regionof the Turkish Riviera. Day trips canbe arranged to see ancient Perge, Side,Aspendos, Thermessos, Olympos, Chimera,Kekova, Patara, Phaselis, Myra(the birthplace of St.Nicholas), KöprülüCanyon, National Park and Antalya oldcity. And activities such as horseback riding,rafting, scuba diving and snow skiing(December Through March) are availablein the area.Baia Hotels Plans a Property in IstanbulSönmez Holding’s firm in tourism industry;Baia Hotels - Sonmez Tourism is planning toopen a new Baia Hotel in Istanbul. Baia Hotelscurrently has two operating hotels; HotelBaia Bodrum and Hotel Monte Baia. Thecompany is scheduled to open Baia BursaCity in 2008, Baia Lara Antalya and BaiaBursa Thermal in 2009. The company is alsohas a plan to open a property in Istanbul.

Turkey is set to become a thermal tourismdestination as a result of a thermaltourism master plan by Culture andTourism Ministry. The project aims tohighlight Turkey as a major health andthermal destination of world by 2023.Senol Aydemir of the ministry saida thermal tourism master plan wasprepared as part of “Turkey TourismStrategy 2023.” “The ancient regionsof Troy, Phrygia and Aphrodisiasare among the regions planned to bethermal destinations. Regional tourismpotential will be strengthened anddeveloped in these spots,” he said,adding, “In these regions, alternativetourism facilities including thermal institutionsin particular, golf, nature sportsand water sports, will be developed.”“The aged population in Europe,our target market, has increased.If we attract this population to Turkey,thermal tourism in Turkey canspan over 12 months. Thermal tourismprovides constant employmentand there is also a high demand forit internal tourism as well,” he noted.Thermal tourism regions:Overall 25 tourism destinations infour regions were identified as thermaland culture tourism developmentdestinations as part of the master planaccording to which Southern Aegeanthermal tourism region include Aydin,Denizli, Izmir and Manisa; SouthernMarmara thermal tourism region coversBalikesir, Çanakkale and Yalova;Phrygia thermal tourism region Ayfonkarahisar,Ankara, Eskisehir, Kütahyaand Usak; and the Central Anatoliathermal tourism region Aksaray, Kirsehir,Nevsehir, Nigde and Yozgat.These provinces were identified due tothe fact that they aren’t only promisingspots in terms of their thermal sourcesbut also for their cultural and naturalassets as an easily accessible centers.The master plan has two legs and atfirst works will be carried out to determinethe geothermal features andtourism resources of the thermal centersas well as develop their tourismpotential and technical infrastructure.The ancient and underground citiesas well as historical and natural treasuresnearby will also be utilized fortourism. Some alternative 14-day tourprograms have been prepared for touristswho come to these tourism centersin order to enable them to spendtheir free time in the best way. Secondstep will be for reconstruction developmentplans and details of investments.Short, medium and long term plans:The master plan anticipates Turkey tobe a major health and thermal tourismdestination in the world by 2023. Theministry has short, medium and longterm plans in this sense and a 50,000bed capacity is planned to serve between2007-2012 in short term while100,000 bed capacity between 2012-2017 in medium term and 500,000between 2017-2023 in long run.A thermal tourism council consisting ofuniversities, nongovernmental organizationsas well as institutions operating inthe field of thermal tourism will also beestablished in implementation of masterplan. Thermal-oriented fairs and workshopsare scheduled in Europe, MiddleEast, Black Sea and Scandinavia .Turkey ranks seventh in world and firstin Europe in terms of geothermal potential.Stretching over an importantgeothermal zone, Turkey is home tomore than 1,500 geothermal resourceswith chemically rich thermal waters.Many spas have been built in Anatoliasince the ancient ages with the discoveryof healing qualities of natural thermalwaters. The historical and culturalassets used to exist nearby these thermalsources, which thus highlights Turkey asan important spot for health tourism aswell as culture and sea-sand-sun tourism.The need for thermal treatment increasesfor Europe, Turkey ‘s targetmarket in thermal tourism, due to theaged population of Europe . There isan intensive demand for thermal treatmentespecially from Northern Europeand Scandinavian countries whererheumatism-related disorders are commondue to the climate conditions.

Aksaray, situated in the very middle of Turkey, would promoteitself with its thermal facilities. Work has been continuingfor the construction of a five-star and 344 bed-capacitythermal facility in Aksaray’s Güzelyurt province, famous forits underground cities, historical treasures and churches.Aksaray’s Culture and Tourism Director Hamza Zengin saidthat the number of tourists visiting Aksaray for faith tourism wasgradually on the increase. He noted that 77,600 foreign anddomestic tourists had visited the city in 2005. “This figure reached121,400 tourists last year, a near 60 percent increase.One of the core important reasons behind for this has been thepromotional success achieved by the of facilities in the town.”According to Zengin, tourists are particularly attracted byAksaray’s Ihlara Valley, Güzelyurt district, and the tombsof Somuncu Baba and Yunus Emre. These are places,which are historical symbols of both Islam and Christianity.Zengin says the city’s tourism potential should be evaluated andthat work has been continuing for the construction of thermal facilities.The five-star thermal facility will to be constructed in Sofularprovince. “Construction of the complex will start as soon as possible.Our goal is to have a say in thermal as well as faith tourism.”Zengin believes that the Hasandagi mountain resort has significantpotential for winter tourism. “We have eight accommodationprojects in Hasandagi but just one facility with a 125-bedcapacity has been constructed to date. We have a capacityfor 1,235 beds. We are waiting for investors to take advantageof this significant opportunity and have eased everythingfor this to happen. We have allocated the land for investmentand provide all required support to infrastructure work.”Aksaray is carrying out various projects to promote theprovince. “Among these projects two documentary CDshave been prepared and 20,000 brochures have beenprinted in Turkish and English to be sent to travel agenciesin Turkey and abroad. There is also a book titled ‘ResimlerleAksaray’ (Aksaray in Pictures),” concluded Zengin.Turkey signed a protocol last week with Austria to benefitfrom the latter’s experience in winter olympic ga-Turkey and Austria are also set to sign a memoranenthe two countries in winter and thermal tourism.mes for the World University Winter Games 2011. dum of understanding on the issue later in June.The protocol is designed to boost cooperation betwe-Türkiz Hotel Thalasso Center has announced a new therapyand massage package “Sweet Life”.”Sweet Life”package includes chocolate and sessame oil,and coconut oil.Türkiz Hotel Thalasso Centre is located on the TurkishRiviera approximately 55 km from Antalya InternationalAirport and 45 km from Antalya City Centre. A luxury5 star hotel is situated in the center of Kemer near theYacth Club. TürkizHotel Thalasso Centre is centrally located to the manyhistorical sites along this region of the Turkish Riviera.Lifestyle Center of America (LCA) announced that pathy, amputations, renal disease, and coronary heart disease.they are expanding their programs to include a 12- “The only good thing about diabetes,” says Dr. Seale, “is that itday “stopping diabetes” program in Sedona, Arizona. usually responds quickly to lifestyle intervention. By removing aEstablished in 1996, LCA is a division of the ArdmoreInstitute of Health (AIH) headquartered in Sulphur, on nutrition, physical activity, and cognitive behavior for just 12person from their daily routine and then working closely with themOklahoma, and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with days, we’re able to show rapid improvements in every pertinenta health education charter. LCA specializes in medically supervisedlifestyle intervention programs, focusing particurides,resting heart rate, flexibility, and body weight. Typically,measurement, including fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycelarlyon diabetes, and has successfully stopped and reversedthe progression of diabetes in thousands of patients. ves our guests the confidence to go home and apply what they’vewe’re able to do this while also reducing their medications. This gi-Stuart A. Seale, M.D., ABFP, will serve as Medical Director, LifestyleEducator, and Staff Physician. The staff also includes cer-Those attending the medical retreat will stay in beautiful accom-learned so they can continue restoring themselves to good health.”tified professionals in diabetic education, cognitive behavioral modations at the Sedona Rouge Hotel and Spa where they willtherapy, exercise science, and nutrition. Sid Lloyd, President and also attend classes, enjoy chef-prepared cuisine and cooking demonstrations,participate in group medical and behavioral therapyCEO of AIH, will oversee the program’s administration.Diabetesis a disease in which the body does not properly produce sessions, and have the use of the spa facility and spa treatments.or does not properly use insulin, leading to abnormally high bloodsugar which causes microvascular and macrovascular dama-The Sedona Diabetes Wellness Program is offered by Lifestyle Cen-SedonaFit will provide workout facilities and fitness evaluations.ge. The fifth leading cause of death, it has become epidemic in ter of America, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with a healthAmerica, affecting more than 20 million people. Diabetes is insidiousin that it causes damage before being diagnosed and, if 7763. Please visit the website at http://www.diabeteswellness.orgeducation charter. For more information, please call (800) 989-uninterrupted, leads to complications including blindness, neuro-

Wellness Media announces the return of SpaAsia Wellness dings and helm various discussion panels. All these areSummit 2007 to be held on October 3- 5, 2007 in Manila, geared towards reaching ‘an unspoken agreement’ onPhilippines which will gather over 500 delegates and participantsranging from CEOs, directors, spa proprietors, journanessindustry at large. Among the invited speakers are:pertinent issues affecting the future of the spa and welllists,healers, doctors, therapists and trainers to owners, financiers,investors, developers and development teams who have Mary Tabacchi from Cornell Hotel School; Bryan Duroc-Susan Harmsworth, Founder and CEO of ESPA; Professormade invaluable contribution to the Asia Pacific spa industry. her, Founder of Durocher Enterprises, Professor Marc Cohen,Founding Professor of Complementary Medicine atNow on its third year, the 2007 SpaAsia Wellness Summitproposes to address a theme of great relevance to the RMIT University and Grace Gawler, Internationally renownedholistic wellness practitioner, author and herbalist.future of the spa and wellness industry at large. “HarnessingCollective Consciousness: Nurturing Growth, InspiringChange” is an apt theme as the industry has now majority of whom hailed from the spa, wellness and health sec-Past events saw delegates from various sectors, the greaterevolved and matured. During the summit, the theme will tors from across the globe. An increasing number of hoteliers,be moulded in more concrete and tangible forms, throughproven methods/techniques and doable programmes. ted to attend. This year, speakers from major spa and hotelspa hotel/resort chain operators and hotel groups are expec-This is among the main objectives of the 2007 Summit. groups such as the Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the JumeirahGroup, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and MSpa Inter-Industry experts and noted speakers will present keynoteaddresses, dissect case studies, unravel research finnationalare among those confirmed to make presentations.The 2008 edition rity as a worldwide point of reference and opinion makerfor operators within this sector, as it brings togetherof The MonacoSpa Event will and interprets the latest market requirements, translatinghost a number of them into their economic potential for the Spa sector, andimportant new introductionsat this Extending the frontiers of the “Luxury Spa” category, aanalyzing its sixth sense, which is the business one.exclusive event held for the international protagonists of the number of topics for discussion and updates will be furtherexamined, with a plethora of meetings, conferences,“Luxury Spa” sector and leaders in the industry of well-being,on the wave of the success conferred on last year’s edition. workshops and educational sessions conducted by highOne single leitmotif: The new sensorial experience profile international speakers, alternating with occasionsUnique product categories will be introduced and demonstratedaccording to sensorial criteria, resulting in a veritab-the participation of journalists and the public. The prog-for debate and question/response sittings to encouragele exhibition course that appeals to all of the senses . The ram also includes, for the very first time, opportunities forinnovative concept behind the event has been structurally socializing and interacting, with Healthy Hour (an informaland logistically organized as an excursion into the world cocktail held daily at 18.30) and the Leaderchic Dinnerof Luxury Spas from a privileged point of view, namely that (a totally new approach to experiencing a gala dinner).of the senses ( acoustics, design, cosmetics, essences, alimentaryexcellence ) . As always, the entire event is held “professional melting pot” and “social meeting point” : 2008The Monaco Spa Event is recognized first and foremost as ain the prestigious setting of Monaco, which is recognizedto be the symbolic capital of luxury “par excellence”. red above all as an “event”, an exclusive point of contact andwill witness the exhibition’s strategic decision to be conside-Brand new socio-cultural perspectives will be at the forefrontof this contemporary scene, dominated by inc-and consultants, hotel and Spa managers, architects, designersopportunity to meet up with top Spa industry leaders, investorsreasing research into psycho-physical well-being, and operators within the sector, all aiming to come togetherand the creation of space and time for the individual. and reflect together on the dynamics of future development.The Monaco Spa Event once again confirms its autho-Richmond Nua introduced World’s best body training system “Hypoxi”. Thesystem which is used by celebrities like Madonna, Cameron Diaz, ElizabethHurley, Robbie Williams to stay in form, helps you to slim 1 size in 4 days.If you would like to relax and become beautiful, you can derive benefit from RichmondNua’s ‘Hypoxi Marathon Program’. If you would like to have a fit and beautiful body,call 0264 582 2686 to have more information about the program. People who alreadyimplemented the marathon program can re-join the program after 6 or 8 weeks.

ITE MICE & ITE 07Another Successful Year with More Corporate & Trade VisitorHeld from June 14 to 17 Hong Kong and neighboring cities of Guangzhou, Dongguan andthis year, ITE, Asia’s leading Shenzhen; introducing a new type of guest ticket which allowsinternational travel expo, members of associations and professional bodies, and corporateand the concurrent ITE MICE management to visit either on Friday or on Saturday; promotionwere officiated by Mr. StephenIp, Secretary for Eco-Over 500 representatives from trade and mass media from Hongand advertising campaign targeting the expatriates in Hong Kong.nomic Development and Kong, mainland China and abroad attended ITE & ITE MICE this year.Labour of the Government of the HKSAR, and Mr Zheng Xiqin, There was also a hosted media delegation of over 40 members fromVice Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration. Guangdong, which included major TV stations and dailies there.Also present in the Opening were tourism secretaries from severalcountries, chairmen and presidents of travel associations in long haul exhibitors steer the Travel Expo more towards upThe concurrent holding of ITE MICE, and the large number ofthe region, consul generals and the diplomatic corps, industry market travels. In fact, short haul destinations have also incorporatedmore products and services targeting this fast growingleaders, buyers, trade and corporate visitors, and media etc.A high level Tourism Forum on Quality Travel, which was organizedby the Hong Kong Tourism Commission during ITE & ITE ign, and also in our admission pricing during the public days.segment. This shift was reflected in our visitor promotion campa-MICE, was well attended by hundreds of international and local The last two days, a Saturday and a Sunday, were open to the publicdelegates. Mr. Henry Tong, Financial Secretary of the Governmentof the HKSAR made the Opening Remarks, while Mr. Shao increase in admission charge on Saturday while that of Sundayand drew 53000 visitors, down 4%! This is a direct result of a 50%Qi Wei, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration remained unchanged. The growing popularity of traveling in FIT(CNTA) delivered the key note speech. TKS, organizer of ITE & underlines the growing usefulness of public days as a cost effectiveITE MICE, is proud to be a supporter of this prestigious event. means to reach out to the travel enthusiasts who often are opinionTo celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Reunification of Hong leaders on travel arrangement among friends and family members.Kong with the motherland, Mr. Shao, Chairman of CNTA hosteda banquet during ITE & ITE MICE which was attended by which included press conference, seminar, workshop, me-Exhibitors held various functions during ITE & ITE MICE,Mr. Henry Tong Financial Secretary of the Government of the eting, reception, and cultural performance. In fact, functionrooms in the Exhibition Centre were fully booked du-HKSAR, Mr. Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Developmentand Labour of the Government of the HKSAR, and hundreds ring the trade days. To alleviate the situation, we convertedfrom the travel industry of mainland China and Hong Kong. some space in the exhibition halls for exhibitors’ functions.ITE & ITE MICE 2007 drew around 650 exhibitors from over 50 As part of our efforts to support travelers’ protection and sustainablecountries and regions, up by about 5%, some 40 official participationswith over half from outside Asia and around 10 of them were prize presentation ceremony of “My favorite Brands” which involvedtourism, we supported and welcome In ITE & ITE MICE this year thenew this year. They occupied five halls of the Hong Kong Convention& Exhibition Centre, while only two halls were used in 2004. ceremony of “Mighty Rovers” which raises fund for village schoolspolling by thousands of Chinese outbound travelers, and launchingThe two trade days drew 11655 buyers, trade and corporatevisitors, up 11%. Around 35% of them came from ab-ITE and the concurrent ITE MICE have, once again, pro-in China with participants also taking part in construction works.road and mainland China, and in all they came from 48 countriesand regions. There were also more hosted buyers nal tourism industry to promote businesses, exchange idevento be an effective platform in Asia for the internatio-including buyer delegations by trade associations, more corporatevisitors and more trade visitors from southern China. growing and gaining recognition since the 2005 edition.as and for networking. In fact, the Travel Expo has beenGrowing patronage to the trade websites of ITE & ITE MICE heraldsvisitors’ enthusiasm! The number of web visitors in January ported by China National Tourism Administration, Hong Kong To-Organized by TKS Exhibition Services Ltd., ITE & ITE MICE are sup-this year, or over 5 months before the Travel Expo open, was urism Board, Macau Government Tourist Office and Travel Industryalready comparable to that in June last year. In the first 20 days of Council of Hong Kong. Official Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair,and Official Rail, KCRC, sponsor the hosted buyer program.June this year, the number of web visitors has already more thandoubled that of June last year. Significant increase of corporate The next ITE will be held from June 12 to 15, 2008 while thevisitors during the trade days this year evidenced successes of next ITE MICE from June 12 to 14, 2008 at halls 1A, B & C andITE MICE’s promotion campaign. They included securing official halls 2A & B of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.supports by the event industry and chambers of commerce from

For the fourth year running World Travel Market isplaying host to the Responsible Tourism Awards,sponsored for the first time by Virgin Holidays.The Awards celebrate tourism ventures that makea positive contribution to conservation and theeconomies of local communities whilst minimisingany negative impacts of tourism. The Awards, the biggest of its kind in theworld, are again organised by online travel agent responsibletravel.com, inassociation with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine– the magazine of The Royal Geographical Society. In 2006 the Awardsreceived an unprecedented response with over 1200 nominations. This year’sAwards will be presented at World Travel Market at 11.00 on Wednesday14th November on WTM World Responsible Tourism Day. Commenting on theAwards, Fiona Jeffery, Managing Director World Travel Market said: “We aredelighted that the Awards continue to have their home at World Travel Marketand, most appropriately, on the first ever WTM World Responsible TourismDay. Nominations should be made online at www.responsibletourismawards.com or by post to responsibletravel.com, Pavilion House, 6 Old Steine, Brighton,East Sussex BN1 1EJ, and include the name and contact details of the nomination(website, e-mail, address and telephone number if possible), plus upto 100 words on why you believe they should win a responsible tourism award.The category of entry should also be specified (see below). Nominations closeon Monday 2 nd July Those individuals who nominate a category winner willbe entered into a draw to win a 14 day tour of Uganda with i-to-i or a 19 daytour of Nepal with The Adventure Company. There are 13 categories in whichto nominate, with an overall winner chosen from the sector winners.1. Best in a Marine Environment (including beach)2. Best in a Mountain Environment – Sponsored by Blacks3. Best in a Park or Protected Area – Sponsored by Conservation International4. Best Tour Operator - Sponsored by The Adventure Company5. Best Small Accommodation/hotel (less than 50 rooms)6. Best Larger Accommodation/hotel (more than 50 rooms)7. Best for Poverty Reduction8. Best for Low Carbon Transport/Technology9. Best for Conservation of Cultural Heritage10. Best for Conservation of Endangered Species11. Best Personal Contribution – Sponsored by the Canadian TourismCommission12. Best Volunteering Organisation - Sponsored by Lonely Planet13. Best Destination – Sponsored by G.A.P AdventuresThe judging panel is chaired by Harold Goodwin, WTM World ResponsibleTourism Day advisor, Professor of Responsible Tourism Management at LeedsMetropolitan University and Director of the International Centre for ResponsibleTourism. He is joined by:Justin Francis, Managing Director, responsibletravel.comCath Urquhart, Travel Editor, The TimesFiona Jeffery, Managing Director, World Travel MarketTricia Barnett, Director, Tourism ConcernAndy Cooper, Director General, Federation of Tour Operators (FTO)Graeme Gourlay, Publisher, Geographical MagazineRichard Hammond, Guardian Columnist and Media ConsultantDebbie Hindle, Managing Director, bgb communicationsSue Hurdle, Director, The Travel FoundationNeel Inamdar, Ecotourism Business Advisor, Conservation InternationalIan Reynolds, former Chief Executive of the Association of British Travel Agents(ABTA)Keith Richards, Head of Business Development and Consumer Affairs at ABTACity Break 2008 Goes to BelgradeReed Travel Exhibitions are to announcethat Belgrade has beenappointed as the host destinationcity for City Break 2008.City Break 2008 will build uponthe successes of this Reed TravelExhibition show, which is dedicatedsolely to the city break market.Helsinki and Athens have alreadyhosted the three-day event drawingEurope ‘s leading destinations, hotels,airlines and ancillary suppliers.Pre-scheduled appointments are thekey feature of City Break, as hostedbuyers select appointments withtheir chosen exhibitors; in 2007these included official city touristoffices from Nantes , Berlin , Thessaloniki, Salzburg and Zaragoza .The move to Belgrade reflects diversificationwithin the city break marketfrom more traditional European centresto destinations on the Baltic andAdriatic Seas along with less prolificdestinations in central Europe. Accordingto the ECM/European CitiesTourism Report 2006/7, destinationsthat have seen a dramatic increase inovernight stays (2000–2005) includeDubrovnik ( Croatia ) +130%, Tallinn( Estonia ) +92%, Ljubljana ( Slovenia) +71%, Zagreb ( Croatia ) +64%and Bratislava ( Slovakia ) +46%.Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director,City Break, said: “We arevery excited about going to Belgradeand helping to show off this fantasticcity to buyers and suppliersalike. The rich culture and historycoupled with its infrastructure makethis an ideal city to show off the importanceof the city break sector.”Olivera Lazovic, Director of BelgradeCity Tourism, said: “We are delightedto be able to host this pre-eminentexhibition and are hugely excitedabout increasing the awareness ofour fabulous city and its environs.”

The 2 nd International Tourism Salon Athens2007 will open its gates from 22 Unit 7 : Real EstateUnit 6 : Alternative Forms of Tourismnd to 25 th of November at the newly Unit 8 : Gastronomyrenovated Mediterranean Exhibition ITS Athens 2007 aims to host more than 350 exhibitors , 200Centre (MEC) aiming to promote the buyers ?a? 30,000 commercial / trade and public visitorsGreek tourism product and further developinbound and outbound tourism. special events and conversations related to the cruise mar-from Greece and all over the world. During the exhibition,The goals, the thematic units, the incentives that the company ket, travel agencies etc are going to take place. Moreoveroffers to all exhibitors and visitors as well as the success factorsof ITS Athens 2007 were presented in a special event by and Latin America countries as well as a show about alter-MACT SA is organizing a number of venues about AfricanMr George Karachristos, CEO of the organizing company native forms of tourism. At the event in the Grande BretagneMACT SA. The event took place in 21 st June in Grande BretagneHotel, Athens. ITS Athens 2007 aims to turn into the Ambassador of Philippines, the Ambassador of Brasilia, rep-Hotel were, among others, the Ambassador of Mexico, thehigh-profile meeting point for tourism business professionals resentatives from the Embassies of Turkey, Spain, Austria,, from Greece and all over the world , attracting Top Buyers Belgium, Romania, Croatia, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela,and commercial / trade visitors from across the globe, to Chile, Nigeria, Algeria, Uruguay, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan,Ethiopia and islands of Fitzi, representatives of greekcontribute to the increasing dynamism of Greek tourism withinthe framework of international tourism market; as well tourism institutions, businesspeople of the tourism sector asas to improve and strengthen the relationships between the well as journalists. The modern and upgraded « MediterraneanExhibition Center » ( MEC), where ITS Athens 2007Greek and foreign tourism businesspeople through prestigiousprofessional meetings.will take place, comprises the entire necessary infrastructureThe thematic units of the exhibition are:so as to correspond successfully to the exhibitors’ high demands.ITS Athens 2007 is under the aegis and great spon-Unit 1 : Sponsors , Institutions , Big CompaniesUnit 2 : Travel Agenciessorship of Ministry of Tourism Development as well as GreekUnit 3 : Hotel Businesses , Convention Tourism , Spa Tourism Organization and has the support of all institutionsUnit 4 : Greek Destinationsof tourism in Greece .Unit 5 : Foreign DestinationsThe 13th International Tourist de Russia with a large-scale exhibition for the autumn andExhibition “Otdykh/Leisure”: ITE winter tourist seasons, making it the second most significantprofessional tourist forum in Russia behind the inter-and MSI join their efforts to benefitthe tourist industry The press national exhibition “Travel and Tourism”/MITT, Moscow.conference of ITE and MSI, the According to Alexander Shtalenkov, General Director oforganisers of the 13th InternationalTourist Exhibition “Otdykh/ exhibition business. From 13th to 16th May, ITE MoscowITE Russia, “This is not the only merger example in theLeisure” to be held at Expocentr from 26th to 28th September2007 took place on 26 February at the Marriott se Frankfurt for the first time. Consolidation strengthenswill host the Automechanica exhibition together with Mes-Grand Hotel, Moscow. ITE and MSI have long-running exhibitions.” Otdykh/Leisure was launched in Russia inexperience in organising specialised tourist exhibitions in 1995. The number of exhibitors has quintupled since theRussia. MSI is the founder and official organiser of the first show. More than 1100 companies will participateexhibition under the brand name “Otdykh/Leisure” throughoutthe entire existence of this event. Achievements re, representing 60 countries including Andorra, Austria,in the 13th International Tourist Exhibition Otdykh/Leisu-of MSI have been recognised by the Global Association Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechof the Exhibition Industry, and Otdykh/Leisure has been Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea,Malaysia, Norway, Seychelles, Tunisia, UAE, UK,awarded with the UFI symbol. ITE is a recognised leaderof the international exhibition business, well-known in Russia, USA, Switzerland, Republic of South Africa andthe tourist industry as the organiser of the largest “Travel others. They will occupy over 20,000 sqm exhibitionand Tourism”/MITT exhibition in Russia and ranks third space. Speakers at the press conference stated that thein tourist exhibitions worldwide. For the benefit of the touristcommunity, former competitors, ITE and MSI, have nothing to do with the event to be held at the same period13th International Tourist Exhibition Otdykh/Leisure hasdecided to join their efforts in organising the international of time by Euroexpo Company. “The exhibition which Euroexpois organising is called “MaTIw” and has nothingtourist exhibition “Otdykh/Leisure” which includes “SelectTravel Expo” first held by ITE in 2006. These combined in common with the well-known brand Otdykh/Leisure”,efforts of the two leading exhibition companies will provi-said Kristof Szymoniuk, General Director of MSI.

Foreign tourists have no worry coming to Malaysia because the countryis among the safest destinations in the world to visit, Tourism MalaysiaDirector-General Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab said. He said the crimerate in Malaysia was still low compared to those in some developedcountries in Europe like in Paris, France, where the rate was so highthat people had to queue to lodge police reports. He gave a scenario inMilan, Italy as an example where tourists who lost their luggage wereapproached by the thieves who demanded payment for the return ofthe baggage. “Malaysia is a safe place where even a petty crime getsreported,” he told reporters after opening the general meeting of theAssociation of Malaysian Bumiputera Adventure and Travel Companies(Bumitra) here. He was reacting to crime reports by the media, whetherthey would adversely affect promotions for the Visit Malaysia Year2007.Tourist arrivals this year, as at May 10, touched 8.9 million, signallingthat Malaysia may easily surpass its 20.1 million tourist arrivals targetand RM44.5 billion in foreign receipts set for Visit Malaysia Year2007. The numbers come as a surprise, given the poor showing in thefirst two months of the year when growth was smaller than anticipated.Based on the latest data, 68,461 tourists make their way into Malaysiadaily. If this number is maintained, Malaysia is likely to welcomesome 24.99 million tourists who may spend up to RM55.3 billion onthings like accommodation and shopping, food and beverage andtransportation. “Up until last Thursday, we received 8.9 million touristsfrom all entry points, including the borders, and Sabah and Sarawak,”Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Teng- ku Mansor said. Hesaid the numbers did not include excursionists or day trippers. Touristsare distinguished from day trippers, as those who stay here at least onenight. Tourism Malaysia, with the help of the Immigration Department, is now using a real-time data collection method atthe entry points of Malaysia. Industry players were very concerned if Malaysia would be able to achieve this target, as a15 per cent jump in arrivals is needed over last year’s 17.55 million tourists. By 2010, Malaysia is expected to receive26 million tourists who are targeted to spend some RM56 billion here.Malaysia will invite travel agents from all over Asia to Kuala Lumpur for the first travel mart next year. Deputy TourismMinister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said the event would not only introduce Asian countries to the world but also bringmore visitors to Malaysia. He said that although numerous travel fairs are held every year in the country, some lackedthe involvement of international travel agents, especially those from the Asian region. “There is Berlin’s InternationaleTourisme Bourse and London’s World Travel Mart that cater to the European countries. “The Arabic Travel Mart in Dubaiis for those in the West Asian countries. “But in Asia, we still do not have an annual travel fair that gathers all the travelagents from the region and which allows international players to meet with their suppliers in this part of the world,” hetold a press conference after opening the Malaysia International Travel Mart, dubbed the Greatest Tourism Carnival, hereyesterday. The three-day event at the Putra World Trade Centre is organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Associationand Asia-Pacific Tourism Events . The Star is the official media. Lim also launched the “VMY 2007 Domestic HolidayPackages” and “VMY 2007 Special Hotel Packages” free booklets, which feature travel deals and hotel offers selectedby Tourism Malaysia. He said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had agreed to have the travelmart in Malaysia, although the date had yet to be set. He added that the travel mart would not affect the existing travelfairs that are held annually in the country. Eighty exhibitors have taken up 380 booths at the Malaysia International TravelMart, which aims to attract 60,000 to 80,000 visitors.Tourism Malaysia walked away with another feather in Mansor, who was in China for a week-long sales mission toits cap when it won the Best Booth Award in the recently promote Malaysia last week, attended the launching of theconcluded Beijing International Travel Exhibition 2007. Its three-day exhibition which began on June 21. Tay said thebooth was judged to have best reflected the destination or scattered empty film reels gave visitors the feel of being on aproduct submitted by a company or country. “The theme movie filming set, enhanced by the image of the renownedused by Tourism Malaysia was One Golden Celebration Petronas Twin Towers with the Visit Malaysia 2007 logo inhighlighting our way of celebrating 50 years of nationhood,”said Tourism Malaysia Beijing director Michael Tay. aims to attract one million tourists from China , who in theChinese on the front. For Visit Malaysia 2007, MalaysiaThe Tourism Malaysia booth measuring 54 sq m depicted a first quarter of the year had already numbered 174,842.stylised film roll with colourful pictures of Malaysia in light Last year, there were 439,294 tourist arrivals from China ,boxes. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku up from 352,089 in 2005.

In the heart of Asia lies a land of many cultures, wonders andattractions. As well as a spectacular collection of architecturallandmarks reflecting a multicultural heritage. In Kuala Lumpur,for example, the ultra-modern Petronas Twin Towersloom magnificently over the classic Moorish-style oldRailway Station. Where is this land,so picturesque and breathtaking?It can only be Malaysia, Truly Asia.

Turkish Airlines Celebrated 74th AnniversaryTurkish Airlines established in 1933by the architecture of modern TurkeyMustafa Kemal Ataturk, celebrated its74th anniversary on May 20, at TaksimSquare in Istanbul. Turkish Airlinesbegan its operations with five planes ofeach has 28-seat capacity.Today Turkish Airlines connects 133points, 103 points abroad and 30points in Turkey . All Turkish Airlines’employees came to Istanbul from 68countries to celebrate company’s 74thanniversary.Turkish Airlines Has Carried 9 Million PassengersTurkish Airlines has carried 9 millionpassengers since the beginning of thisyear, and plans to raise this number to20 million by the end of this year, GeneralManager Temel Kotil announcedon June 22. “We can say that a secondTurkish Airlines has emerged inthe last four years when we take intoconsideration that we carried only 10million passengers in 2003,” said Kotil.Kotil forecast a year-end turnoverof US$3.2 billion and 40 million passengersin three-four years. “We havegrown 20 percent in four years, and Ido not see any obstacle before furthergrowth,” he added.Turkish Airlines Offers 25 Percent Discount for TheDisabledTurkish Airlines began offering 25percent discount in both domestic andinternational flights to all disabled passengerswho are medically consideredto be at least 40 percent incapacitated.“We want to improve the life quality ofthe disabled and individuals with handicaps.We will continue to offer manyadvantages to the disabled in the nearfuture,” said Temel Kotil; Director Generalof Turkish Airlines. Those disabledpassengers wishing to receive discountson their ticket fares must present theirspecial IDs issued by the Prime MinistryDirectorate General of the Disabled, ahealth report issued by a public hospitalor their national IDs on which theyare mentioned as disabled. Turkish Airlinesalso provides 25 percent discountto care takers of disabled passengers.Lufthansa Increases Flight Frequencies to TurkeyLufthansa hosted a press conference inÇiragan Palace with the participationof Joachim Steinbach; Vice Presidentof Sales and Services in Southeast Europe,Africa, Middle East and Pakistan,Dirk Lorenzen: Director Operations &Airports in East Mediterranean, andSadik Elmas; Lufthansa Turkey GeneralManager. Lufthansa recorded 20%increase in capacity, 26.1% increasein passenger numbers in the first 5months of 2007. Moreover, load factorreached 76.7% in the first 5 months ofthe year compare to 72.9% last year.Elmas said that the company didn’tachieve a growth in Turkey market lastyear however they met with their targets.“Lufthansa’s load factor betweenTurkey and Germany was 76.4% in2006, whereas Lufthansa’s world averagewas 75.2%. While celebrating 50th year in Turkey , we contributed Lufthansa’ssuccess with 51,411,026.Lufthansa that started summer scheduleon 25 March 2007, increased theirflight frequency from 53 to 70 in aweek. Lufthansa flies Istanbul – Frankfurt,Istanbul – Munich three times in aday, Ankara – Munich two times in aday, Izmir-Munich two times in a day.Lufthansa will start additional flights toFrankfurt in July and August that will increaseflight frequency to 77. “Our targetfor 2007 is to increase our profit by After the press conference we hadchance to talk with Mr. Joachim Steinbachabout Lufthansa’s current standing,integration with Swiss, and Codesharepartners.Lufthansa and Egypt Air Entera Strategic CooperationLufthansa will cooperate closely withEgypt Air in future. To mark the start ofthe partner-ship, Wolfgang Mayrhuber,Chairman of the Executive Board andCEO of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, andEng. Atef Abd El Hamid, Chairman ofEgypt Air, today signed a code-sharingcontract. Lufthansa’s cooperation withEgypt Air will start with the introductionof the winter timetable at the endof 2007. The two airlines will in futureoffer all flights between Germany andEgypt with joint flight numbers: thecode-sharing will be introduced on theservices between Frankfurt and Munichto Cairo, as well as those from Frankfurtto Alexandria, are part of the codesharingagreement. Further code-shareservices, especially to the tourism centresof Egypt and North Africa, are beingplanned, following official approvalby the air traffic authorities. Egypt Airis also planning to transfer its flightnumbers to Lufthansa flights within Germanyand Europe as well as to NorthAmerica. Egypt is one the most importantmarkets for Lufthansa on the Africancontinent. The airline currently offers itspassengers 17 flights per week fromEgypt to Germany: 14 times a weekthere are flights from Cairo to Frankfurt,three times per week from Alexandria toFrankfurt. Egypt Air is keen to improveits access to the German market. In thecurrent summer timetable, the airline increasedits operation to Munich to dailyflights. More connectivity is reached bythe arrival of Egypt Air flights into Terminal2. Furthermore the airline offersdaily flights to Frankfurt, two flights toDüsseldorf and two flights to Berlin. Alltogether, Egypt Air operates 18 flightsper week from Egypt to Germany.Iberia Celebrates 80th BirthdayEighty years ago, on June 28, 1927,Spain’s first airline was legally constitutedunder the name Iberia, Compañía Aéreade Transportes . The man behind it, andwho supplied most of the capital, was theBasque businessman Horacio Echevarrieta,although Germany ‘s Lufthansa putup 24%.Six months later, on December 14, H.M.King Alfonso XIII attended the ceremonymarking the launch of regular service betweenMadrid and Barcelona . Used onthe route were three Rohrbach Rolands,which could carry up to 10 passengersand attain a maximum speed of 205 kph.In its early years, Iberia opened up newroutes to other Spanish cities on the mainlandand in North Africa . In 1930 itbegan flying to the Canary Islands, andlaunched service to the Balearic Islands in1934.

Germanwings LaunchesDortmund - Istanbul FlightsGermanwings starts flights betweenDortmund and Istanbul on June. Thecompany will also launch flights betweenDortmund and Vienna, Palma deMallorca, Ibiza and Faro. Germanwingsalready flies to Istanbul from Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, Hamburg and Berlin. Itwill add Ankara, Izmir, Antalya to itsdestinations later in the summer. Germanwingsflies between Dortmund andIstanbul with prices starting from 19 euros.Celebi to Bid in Ground HandlingTender for Athens AirportCelebi Ground Handling, jointly withCelebi Tanacsado Kft, its subsidiary inHungary, will submit offer to the Groundhandling and Cargo services tenderopened for Athens International Airport.According to a statement issued by theCelebi Ground Handling Inc., Celebidecided to submit an offer for the tenderregarding operation of ground handlingand cargo services in Athens InternationalAirport SA, between March 28th,2008 and March 27th 2015.Delta Keeps Growing inThe CaribbeanDelta Air Lines will continue its rapid expansionin the Caribbean with a newroute between Hartsfield-Jackson AtlantaInternational Airport and the islandof Curacao, effective Dec. 22, 2007*.Curacao, located in the NetherlandsAntilles off the coast of Venezuela, isbest known for crystal clear waters,long sandy beaches and picture-perfectweather. “Delta is proud to be the fastestgrowing airline to the Caribbean – nowwith more than ten destinations addedin the last two years,” said Glen Hauenstein,Delta’s executive vice president ofNetwork Planning and Revenue Management.“Our global customers continueto benefit from the central locationand convenience of world’s largest airlinehub in Atlanta, which has becomea preferred gateway to the islands andbusiness centers of the Caribbean.”Gulf Air Worldwide Call Centre Named“Middle East Call Centre of the Year”SkyTeam carriers AirFrance, Alitalia, CSACzech Airlines, DeltaAir Lines, KLM RoyalDutch Airlines andNorthwest Airlines(NYSE: NWA) hadapplied with the U.S. Department ofTransportation (DOT) for antitrust immunityfor transatlantic routings. Deltacurrently has antitrust immunity with AirFrance, Alitalia and CSA, while Northwesthas antitrust immunity with KLM.Included in the application is a jointventure agreement between Air France,Delta, KLM and Northwest that wouldcreate a comprehensive and integratedGulf Air’sWorldwideCall Centre(WWCC) isthe top playerin the region.This was establishedwhen Gulf Air WWCC wasnamed as the “Middle East Call Centreof the Year” at a glittering awardceremony at the Insights Middle EastContact Centre World Forum 2007 inDubai. The CCWF, is one of the significantevents dedicated to the rapidlygrowing call centre business in the MiddleEast . The event, organised by Insights_ the only Call Centre-dedicated,professional services organisation in theMiddle East region, attracts call centresin the region as well as professionalsand agents from leading organisationsworldwide. There are about 500 callcentres in the Middle East and the GulfAir call centre was chosen from among25 entries from the region. The event,which is considered a benchmark forthe region’s call centres, was held atthe Crowne Plaza hotel in Dubai. “Thisis a wonderful achievement and suchprestigious recognition is a testament toour unwavering dedication and commitmentto serve our customers better in anextremely competitive and ever moredemanding environment,” says Gulf AirExecutive Vice President Marketing andSales, Lee Shave. “We will continue totoil to deliver on the world class standardsthat we have set for ourselves,”adds Mr. Shave. The call centre handlesmore than 125,000 calls a monthon an average and employs more than180 staff members, 98% of whom areOmani nationals. “This is a proud momentfor Gulf Air and reflects a tremendousamount of dedication, persistenceand people skills to deliver a serviceon demand. It’s a great team effort,”says Gulf Air World Wide Call CentreManager Ruth Birkin who received theaward on behalf of the airline. “Wewill go on to represent the region at theAnnual Call Centre Exhibition in SanDiego , California in September,” saysMrs. Birkin, who was named ‘Call CentreManager of the Year - Middle East‘ at the same event last year. The GulfAir Worldwide Contact Centre in Muscatwas opened in September 2003to meet the significantly increasingdemands of the Gulf Air customers. Locatedin the Knowledge Oasis, Muscat(KOM), it is the first international callcentre ever opened in Oman, cateringto customers 24 hours a day, sevendays a week using some of the most sophisticatedtelephony in the market. Thecentre handles calls from the Kingdomof Bahrain , the Sultanate of Oman, theUnited Arab Emirates , the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia , the United Kingdom ,Kuwait and North America helping customerswith all elements of their travelplans. In addition, a dedicated GulfAir Holidays team handles tailor-madeholiday packages throughout Gulf Airworldwide network.Six SkyTeam Carriers File Expanded AntitrustImmunity Application with U.S. Dotpartnership among the four SkyTeammembers across the Atlantic.A more integrated SkyTeam allianceoffers significant advantages to consumers,including more choice in flightschedules, travel times, services andfares. The DOT has approved morethan 20 applications for antitrust immunityin the past, including the recentapproval of immunity for nine Star Alliancemembers. This application isthe first under the landmark EuropeanUnion-U.S. open skies treaty which createsthe largest, most important, andfully liberalized air transport marketplacein the world.

New Improvements to JAL Executive ClassMeal ServicesJapan Airlines (JAL)is improving the mealservice in JAL ExecutiveClass Seasons - theairline’s internationalbusiness-class - by increasing meal choiceand creating a more intimate individual-focusedservice.During 2007, the followingimproved service will be gradually introducedto all of JAL’s US routes (excludingHawaii), starting with the airline’s Narita- Chicago daily flight from July 1 2007.In 2008, the improvements will also beintroduced onto selected Europe routes.For the first meal, Japan Airlines offers itsinternational business class passengers achoice of Japanese or Western full-coursemenus. Passengers choosing the Westernmenu can select from two entrees, one ofwhich is a JAL Healthy Menu Selection: alow calorie, nutritionally balanced optionfor the health-conscious.Alternatively passengerscan savor the seasonally changingflavors of the `haute cuisine of Japan’:the traditional Kyoto-style menu known askaiseki-ryori. Kaiseki-ryori uses the freshestseasonal ingredients and usually includesa number of small dishes that have beensteamed, simmered or grilled. At the moment,only one main dish is available topassengers who select the Japanese menufor their first meal. Starting July on the Chicagoroute, JAL will double the number ofJapanese main dishes offered, increasingpassenger choice. Passengers will be ableto choose either a fish or meat for theirmain dish. The Japanese menu from Julywill be a mouth-watering choice of eitherdeep-simmered beef in sweet soy sauceor grilled fillet of flounder with spicy teriyakisauce and sesame teriyaki sauce.The main courses will be changed eachseason. From August, the first meal willbe improved further, when the first courseof the Japanese menu is changed from itscurrent 3 dishes to a new selection of 8small dishes. Called shunmisaisai , passengerwill be able to enjoy in full the colorsand tastes of each season. For example,this summer passengers will be ableto enjoy such items as scallop and leekwith a miso vinegar sauce, and simmeredeggplant with minced chicken sauce. Furthermore,carts will no longer be usedby cabin attendants in JAL business classwhen serving meals. Instead each mealwill be carried to passengers as it wouldbe in a restaurant. This will help createa quieter, more comfortable atmospheremaking it easier for passengers to relax.At present more than one cabin attendantmay tend to the needs of an individualpassenger. To increase the level of customercare and attention on board, eachpassenger will be looked after as muchas possible by the same cabin attendantfrom the time of boarding to disembarkation.The supervisory role of the Kyoto Cuisine“Mebaekai’ will also be expandedduring 2007 to cover even more flightsdeparting from Japan to ensure that theJapanese meals served onboard JAL areof the highest quality. Found throughoutJapan, “Mebaekai” are special associationsof long-established restaurants set upwith the purpose of maintaining and promotingtraditional Japanese cooking techniquesand cuisine. When departing fromTokyo, the Japanese menus offered in firstclass on all flights, and business class onnumerous routes have already been speciallycreated under the supervision of the“Mebaekai”. During 2007, this will be extendedto cover more international flightsdeparting Tokyo, and for the first time,international flights departing Osaka andNagoya. The improvements will enableJAL to provide a more intimate, individualfocusedservice and will take hospitalityon board JAL to even greater heights.rate of 10% to 15% from the usual pricesto entice more tourist arrivals from Aseancountries and even tourists from China,India and Korea. “These offers would enablemore foreigners to better plan theirMalaysia Airlines (MAS) has introduced travel to Malaysia and improve the turnoverfor tourism related services in Malay-some 250 travel packages to people fromAsean countries to come to the country sia,” said Abdul Rashid. Customised packagesinclude a 3days/2nights Malaysianin conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year2007. A joint collaboration between experience to popular tourist attractionsMAS, the Tourism Ministry and selected such as Genting Highlands, Penang andAsean tour agencies, the initiative is Langkawi with accommodation, mealsaimed at promoting Malaysia as a value and return flight tickets included. Abdulfor money destination, said MAS CommercialDirector Datuk Abdul Rashid Khan. marketing the packages, investing moreRashid said MAS had been aggressivelyHe said MAS had made available more than RM6mil in television and print commercialsin Asean countries. The improve-than 2.5 million seats until year-end to accommodatethe anticipated surge in touristsas a result of the attractive new pack-intimate, individual-focused service andments will enable JAL to provide a moreages. “Starting from as low as US$108 will take hospitality on board JAL to even(RM380), the packages offer a discounted greater heights.CSA Introduces Online Check-inand Other New FeaturesStarting June 18, passengers flying withCzech Airlines (CSA) have had the optionof checking in for their flights onlineat www.czechairlines.com . This serviceis currently limited to flights originatingin Prague , Paris and Amsterdam . Thenew option will significantly expedite thecheck-in process and passengers who havechecked in online will be able to bypass thecheck-in counter at the airport and they willbe able to go directly to the passport andsecurity check. The airline has also rolledout a new online booking and ticket purchasingsystem and redesigned its website.The online check-in feature allows passengersto check in for their flight, select a seatand print a boarding pass – all over theinternet, without having to leave the comfortof their home or office. At the airport, passengerswho have checked in online canbypass the check-in counter and go directlyto passport and security control. With thisconvenience, travellers can arrive at the airportas late as just 35 minutes before thescheduled departure time of their flight. Theonline check-in feature can also be used bypassengers with luggage that needs to bechecked. They do this by simply droppingoff their luggage at a special ‘baggagedrop-off’ counter and then continuing on tothe passport and security check. Czech Airlinesis the first Czech air carrier to offer thisservice. In addition, there are seven foreignairlines that are currently offering the internetcheck-in option at the Prague airport.The service is available to all CSA passengerswho have purchased an e-ticket. E-ticketscurrently represent approximately 70%of CSA’s total ticket sales. Passengers cancheck-in over the internet by completing asimple, three-step process, from as early as24 hours or as late as 35 minutes beforethe scheduled departure time of their flight.

Gulf Air Economy Travellers Treated toGulf Air customers travelling in the EconomyClass on sectors within the Gulf andthe Middle East region, will be able to enjoyan innovative new inflight meal servicewhich goes hand-in-hand with the airline’snew network. The service, which is an innovativeand modern concept, provides GulfAir’s economy passengers meals in an attractiveand light weight packaging, whichthey can choose to consume in-flight or takeit with them, if they prefer. “We were lookingfor a quick and a logical solution forour inflight services during the short sectorsand we believe the meal in a box is theanswer,” says Gulf Air Executive Vice PresidentMarketing and Sales Lee Shave. “Theservice goes hand-in-hand with our shortersectors where we wish to provide not onlymeals for our valued customers, but alsoa full service,” says Mr. Shave. The newservice concept will ensure all customers receivea beverage and bar service, and thecabin crew will respond to any additionalrequests from customers during the flight.This service is available on all our flightsbetween Bahrain , Abu Dhabi , Dubai , Kuwait, Muscat , Riyadh and Shiraz.About Gulf AirFounded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by theKingdom of Bahrain is the only truly PanGulf carrier in the Middle East region. Theregional, geographic and cultural valuesthat the airline has embraced over morethan half a century are still central to definingits brand and service ethos. Today theairline’s network stretches from Europe toAsia and covers 40 cities in 26 countries.The fleet comprises 28 aircraft and has thedistinct advantage of possessing the strongestnetwork across the Middle East . Anew strategy to create a platform for sustainedcommercial operation has been putin place as part of a two-phased turnaroundprogramme announced in April 2007 bythe airline’s new President and Chief ExecutiveAndré Dosé. Gulf Air’s onboard servicecaters high quality products and services,including the innovative, unique and awardwinning Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies.Some of the notable recognition include:Best Onboard Catering in First Class 2006 (Sky Trax Awards)Best Onboard Catering in Business Class 2006 (Sky Trax Awards)Best Business Airline 2006 (British Travel Awards)Best Onboard Service 2006 (Gold) ( Mercury Awards)Best Onboard Catering in First Class 2005 (Sky Trax Awards)Best Onboard Catering in Business Class 2005(Sky Trax Awards)(American Creativity Awards)Middle East Leading First Class Airline 2005 (World TravelAwards)Bahrain International Airport lounge 2005 (PAX InternationalReadership Awards)2008Airport Transfer ServiceEmirates is about to become the only airlinein the world to offer a water limousineairport transfer service. The scenic transferwill start on July 1st when Emirates beginsits non-stop service from Dubai to Venice,the city world-famous for its canals. TheEmirates’ Water Limousine will be availableexclusively to Emirates’ First andBusiness class passengers arriving in, anddeparting from Venice. Passengers will betransported in comfort aboard partially enclosedRiva-style boats from a dedicatedAward-winning Qatar Airways, which ispreparing to launch flights to the UnitedStates late July, is taking the flying experienceto new heights with its innovativeservice across the premium cabins of itsAirbus A330 long-haul fleet of aircraft.Already ranked Five Star for high servicestandards and excellence, Qatar Airwaysis taking a leap forward in the luxurystakes with the new concept. Everythingfrom new cabin interiors, signature menus,presentation style, service ethos and evenfabric on the seats, has been revamped.The leading Middle East airline has introduceda Fine Dining experience for passengerstraveling in its premium cabins onthe Newark International flights connectingto and from Doha via Geneva. Developedover a period of 18 months by SydneybasedPerforma, the concept focuses onproviding passengers with greater personalattention and treating them with morestyle onboard. Gone is the trolley servicein First and Business Class to be replacedpontoon next to Venice International Airport.The short and pleasant ride from theairport, on the Italian Mainland, to the Venetianarchipelago avoids the sometimesheavily congested journey by road.The introduction of the Emirates’ WaterLimousine also means passengers canreach hotels using one mode of transportrather than two. Normally, passengerswould take a car from the airport andthen require a public water taxi for the finalleg of the journey. Ghaith Al Ghaith,Emirates’ Executive Vice President, CommercialOperations Worldwide, said:“We have been excited about the waterlimousine service since first discussing thepossibility some time ago and now thearrangements are in place for a superbpremium traveller logistical treat. This, afterall, is a place sometimes nicknamedthe “City of Water,” so it is apt that Emiratesis incorporating water, and the convenienceit provides, into its service. ”MrAl Ghaith added: “Emirates has a strongtrack record of pioneering offerings. Nowadays,our passengers, and the market ingeneral, expect innovative ideas and thatis precisely what we have here. We expectthis to be a popular, relaxing way toend or begin a journey. ”The water limousineairport transfer service will initiallybe operated on a trial basis and reviewedafter three months.Best in the Worldby a la carte plates individually preparedand served by cabin crew to each passenger.Glass plates, individual glass breadbowls, chinaware provided by Germancompany Bauscher and cutlery Frenchdesignedby Guy Degrenne, all feature inthe new service. Passengers are presentedwith dining menus specially preparedin leather- bound folders. A selection ofchampagne and wines from around theworld are a feature in both cabins. Passengersin First Class are served with individualtea sets and have the additionaltouch of a personal caviar service. FirstClass passengers have the added luxuryof full-size bed pillows, soft white linenmattresses and Australian wool blankets.Apart from the food service, the cabin interiorshave been modified to provide afresher look and feel with the highly visibleburgundy corporate colours of the airlineevident in the redesigned seat fabrics andcurtains. In addition, there are new newlookamenity kits for premium passengers.Business Class passengers will be handedkits featuring Aigner products while thosetraveling in First Class will get luxury kitsfull of Bulgari products.

ocus on AIRLINES SPECİALJanuary/February'07Czech AirlinesCzech Airlines (CSA) is, with its 83 yearlonghistory, the leading air carrier in theregion of Central and Eastern Europe.CSA both alone and in cooperation withalliance partners flies to 113 destinationsin 47 countries thus allowing its customersfast and comfortable connectionsto major business and political centres ofthe world. In 2005 the airline transporteda record 5,2 million passengers. Behindthe good results stands the airline's successfulbusiness strategy, exceptionalstandards of passenger care and carefullyprepared flight timetables offeringgood departure times and flight connections.CSA's fleet currently consists of 50Airbus, Boeing and ATR aircraft. Duringthe course of 2006 to 2008 the fleet willbe supplemented with 12 medium-rangeAirbus A320 and A319 airliners, whichrank among the most modern transportplanes in the world. The three of them -Airbus A320, have already been delivered.Investment into new airliners willenable CSA not only to open up new destinationsbut also to flexibly react to themoment of the situation on the air passengermarket. This will considerably raisethe company's competitiveness againstother, mainly European carriers. Since2001, CSA has been a member of oneof the most important global air carrieralliances: SkyTeam. Its members offerabout 728 destinations on their regularroutes in more than 140 countries aroundthe world. In addition to the wide rangeof services offered, CSA passengers cantake advantage of a host of other benefits,including joint frequent flyer programmes,access to 391 airport lounges,24-hour guaranteed reservations, singlecheck-in for multiple stopovers and, lastbut not least, a guarantee of the samequality of service at all SkyTeam carriers.Together with arranging transport on regularroutes CSA also offers travel agenciesand other contractual partners specialcharter connections that give passengersthe advantage of unusual destinationscombined with interesting prices.Some favourite destinations include forexample Venezuela, Cuba and theDominican Republic, and in the summermonths the most attractive holiday resortssuch as Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia andGreece. CSA also is expanding moreand more into other business areas. Aircargo transport has taken on greater significanceand CSA has one of the mostmodern cargo terminals in CentralEurope. The airline also arranges groundservices, aircraft repair and catering for anumber of other air carriers. CSA, as thefirst among the EU accession countries,also received the European Union's certificateto perform maintenance on aircraftand aircraft units. In future we hopethat more and more passengers will meeton board CSA's modern airliners wherethey can expect pleasant personnel,experienced pilots, good cuisine and traditionalCzech hospitality.CSA Carried Over Five Million PassengersOver the January - November end period,Czech Airlines (CSA) carried 5.1 millionpassengers. It represents a year onyear increase of 2.3 percent; over thesame period last year CSA carried 4.8million passengers. Scheduled flights,with more than 4.3 million passengers,accounted for the greatest share. Overthe first eleven months, CSA flew morethan 36,000 flights. The most popular regularCSA destinations in the penultimate month ofthe year included Paris, Amsterdam,London, Madrid and Athens . CSA charterflights grew by nearly ten percent andfrom January to November this year theycarried more than 760,000 passengers.The most frequent destinations in the CSAcharter network at the end of the summerwere Hurghada in Egypt, Heraklion onCrete and Antalya in Turkey . With theonset of winter, CSA aircraft will be landingin such exotic destinations asVaradero in Cuba, the Venezuelan LaIsla Margarita and La Romana and PuntaCana in the Dominican Republic . CSAcharter flights do not only carry clients ofCzech and foreign travel agencies. Moreand more frequently, renowned internationalfirms are ordering flights from CSA.The winter schedule, i.e., from 29October, has increased the frequency offlights to destinations such as Moscow,Yekaterinburg, Odessa, Tallinn, Vilnius,Sophia, Sarajevo, Ljubljana, Zagreb andBucharest.CSA also places great emphasison the punctuality of its flights. For thefirst three quarters, CSA came second interms of the punctuality of flights out of the26 European airlines in the Associationof European Airlines (AEA). In August thisyear CSA came first.Establishment year :1923Total Employee :5000Number of Aircrafts and Types :50 aircraft - ATR 42's/72's,Boeing 737'sAirbus A310/A320/A321's.Passenger Boardings. 6.300.000(Scheduled & Charter)Cargo: 23.000 tonsDestinations :120 destinations in45 countriesCity Service CentreV Celnici 5110 00 Praha 1 Czech Rep.Tel:+ 420 239 007 007Fax : +420 224 314 273Call.Centre@csa.czMailbox.COM@csa.czwww.czechairlines.comCzech Airlines TurkeyEstablishment year : 1923Turkey Manager : Altu¤ UlucevizArea Sales Manager for TurkeyCumhuriyet cad.163/1Merkez Apt. Elmadag-IstanbulTel: + 90 212 230 48 32 - 230 38 52Fax :+ 90 212 230 83 26ist@czechairlines.comwww.czechairlines.com.trAltu¤ Uluceviz42[[

Another Passenger Record for LufthansaFor the first time more than 53 million climbed year-on-year in the month bypassengers carried / Lufthansa Cargo 6.9 per cent. The seat load factor rosealso clearly in plusby 1.4 percentage points. LufthansaCargo carried 1.76 million tonnes ofLufthansa turned in another record yearfreight and mail in 2006, an increase ofin 2006. The number of passengers and1.3 per cent. Sales rose on slightlyof operated flights as well as capacityreduced capacity by 3.5 per cent, withand sales all ended the year at an alltimehigh. In 2006, the airlines in thethe result that the cargo load factorgrew by 2.7 percentage points to 67.7Group carried 53.4 million passengers,per cent. Overall utilisation of capacityan increase on the year-earlier level ofon passenger and cargo aircraft was up4.2 per cent. Sales rose by 2.0 per centby 1.4 percentage points to 72.1 peron an increase of 1.8 per cent in capacity.The passenger load factor was upcent. The number of flights operated bythe airline also reached a new peak inaccordingly by 0.2 percentage points to2006. During the year, aircraft bearing75.2 per cent. The Group postedthe crane emblem took off and landedabove-average growth at the end of thesafely 664,382 times at one or other ofyear. Passenger numbers in Decemberthe 200 or so destinations in theboosted by the mild winter weatherLufthansa route network.Establishment year :1955Total Employee : 92.303Number of Aircrafts and types : 429Carried : 51.3 millionCargo : 1.736 billion toneDestinations : 79 Countries in 187 destinations.Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Media RelationsThomas JachnowTel. +49 (0)69 / 696 - 95215 / - 2999Fax+49 (0)69 / 696 - 4834http://presse.lufthansa.comLufthansa TurkeyEstablishment year : 1956Turkey Manager : Sad›k ElmasBüyükdere Cad. 122Özsezen ‹fl Merkezi C Blok Kat 5Zincirlikuyu - ‹stanbulTel: 0212- 3153434Fax: 0212-2665702www.lufthansa.com.trcrturk@dlh.deocus on AIRLINES SPECİALTurkey flight schedule:‹stanbul - Frankfurt / 3 Times in a day‹stanbul - Münih‹zmir - MünihAnkara - Münih/ 2 Times in a day/10 Times in a week/ 11 Times in a weekSad›k ElmasLufthansa GroupJan.ñDec.2006Jan.ñDec.2005Change comparedwith previous year in%Passengers (1,000s) 53,432 51,255 +4.2Available seat-kilometres (mill.) 146,720 144,182 +1.8Revenue pax-kilometres (mill.) 110,330 108,185 +2.0Seat load factor in per cent 75.2 75.0 +0.2P.Freight/mail (in 1,000 tonnes) 1,759 1,736 +1.3Cargo load factor in per cent 67.7 65.0 +2.7P.Available cargo tonne-kilometres (mill.) 26,667 26,486 +0.7Revenue cargo tonne-kilometres (mill.) 19,216 18,727 +2.6Overall load factor in per cent 72.1 70.7 +1.4P.Number of flights 664,382 653,980 +1.6January/February'0740[[43

ocus on AIRLINES SPEC‹ALSwiss International Air LinesSWISS: high load factorsSWISS achieved a systemwide seat load factor of 78.8% for the first six months of 2007,a 1.1-percentage-point improvement on the prior-year period.Seat load factor on intercontinental services stood at 83.2% (prior-year period: 82.3%),while seat load factor on SWISS's European network amounted to 69.5%, a rise of 1.4percentage points. SWISS carried some 5.7 million passengers in the first six months of2007, compared to 5.0 million for the same period a year ago.SWISS's systemwide seat load factor for June 2007 stood at 82.7%, virtually unchangedfrom the high 83% of the same month last year. June seat load factor on intercontinentalservices rose 1.1 percentage points to 87.2%, while seat load factor on the Europeannetwork slipped slightly to 73.6% (2006: 76.4%). SWISS carried 1 024 124 passengerson its scheduled services in June 2007 (June 2006: 950 496 passengers).The number of flights performed in June also showed a slight year-on-year increase: totalEuropean flights rose 2.2%, while total intercontinental services were 6.1% up on June2006. SWISS operated 10 732 flights last month, an overall increase of 2.8%. Thegreater flight volumes are due directly to the fleet expansion that SWISS has been conductingsince last November.The total cargo volumes carried by Swiss WorldCargo for the first half of 2007 werebroadly in line with the same period last year. Cargo load factor by volume for the periodstood at 84.7% (prior year: 85.3%).SWISS and Lufthansa fly into the future togetherThe merger of Lufthansa and SWISS brings together two airlines renowned worldwidefor quality and service. As a member of the Lufthansa Group, SWISS is better equippedto offer its passengers more destinations, more frequencies, better connections, loungeaccess opportunities, joint mileage program, and much more. Furthermore, passengerscan already combine fares from Istanbul to any destination served by either airline.SWISS takes off with Star AllianceSWISS became a full member of Star Alliance, the world's biggest airline network as ofApril 1, 2006. With this true milestone, SWISS passengers have the privilege to benefitfrom harmonized services of 18 member airlines, with a network of 855 destinations in155 countries, more than 650 lounges and over 16.411 takeoffs and landings everysingle day.BBJ-Boeing Business JetSWISS operates six times a week all-business-class flights with BBJ B737-800 aircraft,with seating for 56 passengers from Zurich to Newark. These flights are performed byinternational business aviation specialist PrivatAir under LX flight numbers. The flightschedule is precisely tailored to the needs of business people, while comfortable lie-flatseats with a generous 152cm between rows allow them to go about their business or sitback and enjoy the wide range of Swiss culinary specialties.Zurich Airport: where the going is easySWISS and Zurich Airport have redesigned their infrastructure and services to create aseamless hub system focused on speed and efficiency for the benefit of all travelers. AllSWISS flights within Europe and to North Africa now operate through gates at Pier A.All SWISS flights going to or coming from another continent use gates at Pier E. Thisclear, simple concept makes it much easier to find the way around the airport. This newconcept lowered the minimum connecting time for flights within Europe to just 35 minutes,thus reducing the total travel time even more.Establishment year : 01.April.2002.Total Employee: 6,441Number of Aircrafts: 73A/C Type Number of A/C AgeA340 9 3.5A330 11 7.4A321 6 10.2A320 16 9.1A319 7 9.8Avro RJ100 20 9.2Avro RJ85 4 13.8Carried:10.5 Million in 2006Cargo : 1.14 billion cargo-tone kmDestinations: 70 destinations in 42countries.Swiss Headquarters P.O Box CH-4002Basel/SwitzerlandTel :+41 61 582 00 00Fax :+40 61 582 33 33www.SWISS.COMSWISS TurkeyEstablishment year : 2002Total Employees : 11Turkey Manager : Fatofl KutaySwiss Istanbul Town OfficeBüyükdere Cad. No:122Ozsezen Is Merkezi C Blok Kat:5ZincirlikuyuTel: +90 212 354 99 00Fax: +90 212 354 99 02istanbul.info@swiss.comJanuary/February'0744[[Fatofl Kutay

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Alt› Ayda 9 milyon TuristKültür ve Turizm Bakanl›¤›verilerine göre, Haziranay›nda Türkiye'ye gelen turistsay›s›, geçen y›l›n ayn› döneminegöre yüzde 17,13artarak 2 milyon 774 bin 289oldu. Geçen y›l haziranitibariyle Türkiye'ye gelenturist say›s› toplamda 2 milyon368 bin 628 idi.. ‹lk alt›ayl›k dönemde Türkiye'yegelen turist say›s› ise yüzde 16,61'lik art›flla toplam 9 milyon 184 bin 321oldu. Kültür ve Turizm Bakanl›¤›'ndan al›nan bilgiye göre, Haziran ay›ndaTürkiye turistlerin milliyetlerine göre s›ralamas›nda Almanya ilk s›rada yer ald›.Bunu Rusya, ‹ngiltere, ‹ran ve Bulgaristan'dan gelenler izledi. Haziranda gelenAlman turist say›s› yüzde 10,9 artarak 499 bin 640 kifliye, Rus turist say›s› iseyüzde 12,12 artarak 410 bin 155 Rus kifliye ulaflt›. Bunlar› 257 bin 574 ‹ngiliz,102 bin 544 ‹ranl›, 101 bin 947 Bulgar turist izledi. Hollanda'dan gelen turistsay›s› yüzde 4,86'l›k art›flla 101 bin 267, ABD'den gelenlerin say›s› ise yüzde13,88 de¤iflim oran› ile 92 bin 58 kifli oldu. Haziran ay›nda gelen turistlerinülkelerine göre genel toplam içindeki paylar› ise flöyle: Almanya : Yüzde18,01. Rusya Federasyonu: Yüzde 14,78. ‹ngiltere : Yüzde 9,28. ‹ran : Yüzde3,70. Bulgaristan : Yüzde 3,67. Hollanda : Yüzde 3,65. ABD : Yüzde 3,32.2006'da ise haziran dönemi itibariyle Türkiye'ye gelen turist say›s› toplam 2milyon 368 bin 628 olmufltu. 2005 y›l›nda da bu rakam 2 milyon 402 bin912 kifliydi.‹stanbul Bu y›l 6,5 milyon Turist,5,5 milyar USD Bekliyor‹stanbul turizmden sorumlu Vali Yard›mc›s›Cumhur Güven Taflbafl›, TUROB Baflkan›Timur Bay›nd›r ve ICVB Genel MüdürüHandan Boyce ile birlikte düzenledi¤itoplant›da ‹stanbul turizminin ilk 6 ay›n›de¤erlendirdi. Cumhur Güven Taflbafl›, ‹stanbulturizminin yüzleri güldürmeye devam etti¤inibelirterek, ‹stanbul'a ilk 6 ayda 2 milyon 831 bin725 kiflinin girifl yapt›¤›n› bunun da yüzde 25'likbir art›fl oldu¤unu söyledi. ‹stanbul'un Türkiyeturizminden yüzde 27 pay ald›¤›n› hat›rlatanTaflbafl›, 2006 y›l›nda turizmden elde edilen 17milyar dolarl›k gelirin 4.6 milyar dolar›n› ‹stanbul'unald›¤›n›, bu y›lda 5,5 milyar dolar gelirbeklediklerini dile getirdi. Büyük zincirlerin ‹stanbul'a geldi¤ine iflaret edenTaflbafl›, “ ‹stanbul'da 25 bin yeni yatak yolda. Bu oteller ortalama 2 y›ldatamamlan›r. Özellikle havaalan› çevresinde h›zl› bir otelleflme var. Anadoluyakas›nda otel azd›, ancak orada da birkaç otel yap›lacak. Tan›t›mçal›flmalar›n› yapmak üzere bir flirket kurma haz›rl›¤›m›z var. Geçti¤imiz y›l ilkad›m› att›k. Kuraca¤›m›z flirkete sektörün tüm etkin kurumlar›n› ortakyapaca¤›z, flirketin yasal prosedürünün tamamlanmas› için çal›flmalar›m›zsürüyor” dedi. Düzenlenen turizm fuarlar›na turizmcilerle birlikte kat›lacaklar›nade¤inen Taflbafl›, ‹stanbul'da 2010 y›l›nda 10 milyon turistin gelmesininbeklendi¤ini kaydetti. Tan›t›ma yeteri kadar pay ay›ramad›klar›n› vurgulayanTaflbafl›, “Kazand›¤›m›z›n yüzde 10'u tan›t›ma ayr›lmal›, ancak biz yüzde 2civar›nda ay›r›yoruz. TUROB Baflkan› Timur Bay›nd›r, '10 milyon turisteyetecek kadar ‹stanbul'da yatak var m›' sorusunun çok soruldu¤una iflaretederek, '‹stanbul'un yeni otele ihtiyac› var' söylemlerinin bir kenarab›rak›lmas›n› istedi. Bay›nd›r, “‹stanbul'da 60 bini turistik belgeli, 40 bini debelediye belgeli olmak üzere toplam 100 bin yatak var. ‹stanbul'da kal›fl süresi2-2,5 gün. Dolay›s›yla ‹stanbul'da herkes otel yaps›n diye, Antalya'n›ndüfltü¤ü yanl›fla düflmeyelim. Acil yatak art›fl›na gitmeyelim” dedi. HandanBoyce, ‹stanbul'da 8-9 bin kiflilik kongreler yap›ld›¤›n› ve bu kongrelerinileride al›nacak kongrelere referans oldu¤unu söyledi. 2006 ICCA istatistiklerindekikongre say›lar›na göre dünya flehirleri s›ralamas›nda ‹stanbul'un 17.s›raya yükseldi¤ine dikkat çeken Boyce, hedeflerinin ilk 5'e girmek oldu¤unukaydetti. 20 bin kiflilik Dünya AIDS kongresi için Viyana ile finale kald›klar›n›aç›klayan Boyce, 2010 Avrupa Kültür Baflkentli¤inin kongre turizmine katk›sa¤layaca¤›n› ifade etti. Boyce, kongre turizmi için y›lda ortalama 500-600 binkiflinin ‹stanbul'a geldi¤ini tahmin ettiklerini dile getirdi.2014 K›fl Olimpiyatlar› Rusya'n›n Soçi KentindeGuetamala'da toplanan Uluslararas›Olimpiyat Komitesi, üç aday aras›ndan,Gürcistan s›n›r› yak›nlar›nda, Karadenizk›y›s›ndaki bu sayfiye kentini seçti. Soçi'ninrakipleri Güney Kore'den Pyong-çang veAvusturya'dan Salzburg'du. ‹lk tur oylamay›Güney Kore önde tamamlad›;Avusturya elendi. ‹kinci turda ise tercihlerinyönü Rusya'ya döndü, Rusya 47ye 51 oyla seçildi. Baz› gözlemcilere göresonuç sürpriz oldu. Zira favori Pyong-çang'd›. Kent üç sene önce 2010 oyunlar›naev sahibi olma f›rsat›n› sadece üç oy farkla Kanada'ya kapt›rm›flt›. GüneyKore bu kez flansl› görülüyor; bu vesileyle iki Kore'yi birlefltirecek bir tak›mkurulabilece¤i düflünülüyordu. Ancak gözlemciler, sonuçta Guetemala'dayo¤un bir lobi çal›flmas›na giriflen Rusya Federasyonu Baflkan› Vladimir Putin'inçabalar›n›n etkili oldu¤unu söylüyorlar. Putin baflta Soçi'yi dünyastandartlar›nda bir k›fl sporlar› merkezi haline getirmek için 12 milyar dolarl›kyat›r›m vadetmiflti. Oyunlar›n organizasyonu için de 1,5 milyar dolarl›k harcamayap›lmas› gerekiyor. Soçi'deki tesisler s›n›rl› imkanlara sahip. Buras› dahaçok tatilcilerin yaz›n yüzmeye k›fl›n kayak yapmaya gitti¤i bir sayfiye kenti.Kentin ziyaretçileri aras›nda burada kayak tatilleri için bir evi olan VladimirPutin de var. Buradaki yamaçlar› iyi tan›yan Putin tesislerin genifl bir alanayay›laca¤›ndan; sporcular›n hiç bir etkinlik için befl dakikadan uzun mesafeyürümeyece¤inden söz ediyor.Radisson SAS Bosphorus"Wellness & Beauty Center"Ortaköy de bulunan Radisson SAS Bosphorus Wellness & Beauty Centeraç›ld›. Türk Hamam›, sauna, masaj, cilt bak›m›, spor salonu ve kuaförden oluflanRadisson SAS Bosphorus Wellness Center'da Personal Training'in yan› s›raPilates, Vibrogym ve Yoga yer al›yor. Ayr›ca profesyonel masör ve masözlertaraf›ndan yap›lan, Türk Hamam›nda Kese Masaj›, Bosphorus Nirvana Masaj›,‹sveç Masaj›, Refleksoloji Masaj›, Zen Shiatsu ve Reiki, Wellness & BeautyCenter'in rahatlat›c› ve iyilefltirici masajlar› olarak sunuluyor. Wellness &Beauty Center'da cilt ve göz bak›m›, özel vücut bak›mlar›, aroma terapimasajlar›, diyet kürleri, LPG selülit tedavisi, epilasyon, oksijen terapisi ile profesyonelmakyaj uygulamalar›n› da ayn› çat› alt›nda alabiliyor ve tamam›ylayenilenmifl olarak merkezden ayr›l›yorlar.Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul MüthiflYolculu¤un Konaklama SponsoruCeylan InterContinental Istanbul;yol güvenli¤i konusunda fark›ndal›koluflturma ve çocuklar›n otoyollardakaza sonucu yaralanma ve ölümlerineolabildi¤ince engel olmadüflüncesiyle oluflturulan projedeTokyo'dan Londra'ya yola ç›kan iki‹ngiliz sürücüye 6 A¤ustos tarihinde‹stanbul'da evsahipli¤i yap›yor. Özeltasarlanan Aston Martin V8 Vantagearaçlar›yla yeni tamamlanan Asya-Pasifik Otoyolu'nu kullanarak10.000milin üzerinde yol katetmeyi amaçlayan sürücüler, baflar›l› olduklar› takdirderekor kitaplar›na girmeye de hak kazanacaklar. As›l mesle¤i ö¤retmenlik olanRichard Meredith (58) ve gezgin Phil Colley (41) InterContinental Hotel,Tokyo'dan 25 Haziran tarihinde yola ç›karak 15 ülkeden geçmeyi ve gezileriniyaklafl›k alt› hafta sonra Londra'da tamamlamay› hedefliyorlar. Tokyo veLondra aras›nda ‹stanbul'dan da geçecek olan ekip, 6 A¤ustos 2007'de CeylanInterContinental Istanbul'da bir bas›n toplant›s› düzenleyecek ve a¤›rlanacaklar.Yolculuk Birleflmifl Milletler'in katk›lar›yla gerçeklefltiriliyor. “Yol Güvenli¤i: S›f›rKaza” (Road Safety Is No Accident) ve “Yollar› Güvenli K›lal›m” Make RoadsSafe kampanyalar› BM taraf›ndan destekleniyor. Özellikle geliflmekte olanülkelerde yola ba¤l› kazalarda yaralanma ve ölüm oranlar›n›n yüksekolmas›ndan hareketle, yol güvenli¤i konusunda fark›ndal›¤› art›rarak bu oranlar›ndüflürülmesi hedefleniyor. Eve Dönüfl Yol Güvenli¤i 2007 “Driving HomeRoad Safety 2007” olarak adland›r›lan proje ile 100.000_ tutar›nda ba¤›fl toplamakve toplanan parayla Çinli çocuklara yol güvenli¤i konulu e¤itici kitaplartemin edilmesi amaçlan›yor. Ceylan InterContinental Istanbul organizasyonunbir parças› olmaktan gurur duyuyor.“Make Roads Safe” ve “Road Safety is no Accident” kampanyalar› hakk›nda ayr›nt›l› bilgi için:http://www.makeroadssafe.org http://www.who.int/roadsafety/en/BÜLTENJuly/August’07[[49

KISA...KISA...Eylül/ Ekim Say›s›Leisure & Luxury -MoskovaT & T VarflovaCIS-St.PetersburgTravel Mart-KievAITEX- KamboçyaVeITE- VietnamTurizm Fuarlar›ndaBask› için 24 A¤ustos son gündür.2008 Turizm Pazarlaman›z içinWorld Travel Guide & Diary'08 Haz›rlan›yorTüm Dünyadan turizm bilgileri ve 1000'e yak›n turizm etkinli¤i’nin tarih veadresleri. KDV dahil 20.-YTL.-Sipariflinizi Verdiniz mi?Tel:0216 391 3795ozge@smpublication.comKISA KISA...Yöneticiler• Ilhan Aç›kgöz GETOB Baflkanl›¤›na tekrar seçildi.• Murat Eroglu Dedeman Holding'in yeni CEO'su oldu.• Eric Willems Qatar Havayollar› Türkiye müdürlü¤üne atand›.• Ayd›n Aytu¤ kemer'de yeni aç›lan Tahtal› 2365m adl› teleferi¤in Sat›fl ve Pazarlamakoordinatörü oldu.• Serdar Koç Bodrum Marina Vista otelin genel Müdürlü¤ünü üstlendi.• Oktay Varlier Mart› Grup ta Yat›r›m ve ‹fl gelifltirme Koordinatörü oldu.• Recep Özdemir Crowne Plaza Istanbul - Old City Genel Müdür Yard›mc›s› olarakgöreve bafllad›.• Armin Zerunyan Hilton Istanbul grup GM'i olarak atand›.• Muazzez Tonguç Best Western Khan otel genel Müdürlü¤üne getirldi.• Alain Rigazzi Mövenpick otel Izmir de GM olarak ifle bafllad›.• Güniz At›fl'›n yeni görevi Istanbul Modern Genel Müdürlü¤ü.• Asl› Borakan Istanbul Marriott Asia otel sat›fl ve pazarlama direktörü oldu.• Ufuk Gezgüç Club Asteria in Belek, Antalya GM 'li¤ine atand›.• Avni Aker Majesty otellerinde göreve bafllad›.• Bülent fienses Accor otellerinde ifl analizleri direktörü oldu.• Andrew Hamilton The Marmara Manhattan'›n yeni genel müdürü.• Sait Halim Pafla Yal›s› ‹flletme Müdürlü¤ü görevinden ayr›lan Üstün Doruk, orta¤›oldu¤u IVS - ‹nsan Kaynaklar› flirketinde görevine devam edecek.Havayollar›• Atlasjet'in Mykonos seferleri onayland›.• THY özürlülere iç ve d›fl hatlarda bilet ücretlerinde yüzde 25 indirim yapt›.• THY Bursa-Erzurum uçufllar› bafllatt›.• Lufthansa Türkiye uçufllar›n› artt›r›yor.• Onur Havayollar› IATA üyesi oldu.• BA Izmir-Londra uçufllar›n› art›rd›.Acentalar• RCCL Antalya'ya 4 seferde 3 bin yolcu getirecek.• Deniz Cruise & Ferry Lines, 1 A¤ustos'tan itibaren ‹stanbul - Çeflme - Bodrum -‹stanbul olarak hizmet verecek.• Hey Travel Trends “En k›sa zamanda en uygun uçak bileti almak”sistemi www.expressbilet.com 'u bafllatt›.• Alanya'ya en çok turist getiren Öger Tur'a 'Alt›n Anahtar' ödülü verildi.• Arsan Turizm GAP turlar› düzenliyor.• Intra Tours Italyan tur operatörlerini Türkiye'de a¤›rlad›.• Pronto Tour yaza merhaba partisi düzenledi.Tesisler• Blackstone yat›r›m fonu, 26 milyar dolara Hilton grubunun hisselerini sat›n ald›.• Attaleia Shine Hotel, A¤ustos'ta aç›l›yor.• Hypoxi maraton program› Richmond Nua'da uygulan›yor.• Bodrum da bulunan mavi bayrakl› 4 y›ld›zl› Latanya Beach Resort 196 odas› ile aç›ld›.• Akfen Gayrimenkul Yat›r›m Ortakl›¤› (GYO) A.fi taraf›ndan Kayseri'deyapt›r›lacak 2 otelin temeli at›ld›.• ‹stanbul Esentepe'deki Kempinski Astoria!da konutlar ve ofis katlar› A¤ustos'ta,al›flverifl merkezi ise Ekim sonunda faaliyete geçiyor.• Kartepe Liverpool futbol tak›m›n› a¤›rlayacak.• Harem Otel 42.y›l›n› ''yaza merhaba'' partisiyle kutlad›.• The Marmara Türkiyede 40 yeni proje gelifltiriyor.• Kemer Queen Elizabeth Oteli aç›ld›.• Merit Otelleri K›br›s Lefkofle de yeni bir tesis aç›yor.July/August’07Fuarlar03-05 CBITM - Beijing11-13 Mediterranean TravelTrade Show - Denver02-04 Asia Pacific ICCRM - Perth03-05 MATTA Fair - Johor07-09 RDA - KölnTemmuz15-18 AIPC General Ass.- Graz19-22 PGA Golf Show - Sydney29-31 MPI PEC - MontrealA¤ustos10-12 OTM-TTF - Kalküta17-19 OTM-TTF - Haydarabad31-02 Tour Nature - Dusseldorf50[[