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News About Our Cheap Flights To Turkey From The UK
Our flights are generally with Onur Air, which is Turkey's favourite low-fare airline providing a safe yet simple no-frills service that enables Aegean Flights to drive flight prices as low as they can go (although we may change this carrier for operational reasons).
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HOME FROM HOME
03 May 2008
As many as one in seven tourists to Turkey stayed in their own homes in the first quarter of this year according to figures published by the Turkish Statistical Institute.
The largest foreign property owners are German, British and Greeks, with Mugla and Antalya being the most popular areas.
And the number could be set to rise with the Turkish Parliament’s Justice Committee having approved a Government bill regarding the sale of 10 per cent of Turkish new build real estate to foreigners.
The Ministry of Public Works and Settlement temporarily halted Turkish property sales to foreigners at the beginning of April.
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ARE THERE ENOUGH DECKCHAIRS?
03 May 2008
Hundreds of German tour operators are scheduled to arrive in Didim this year as part of a fact-finding mission to bring tourists to the resort next year.
According to Voices, Altinkum’s English language newspaper, a meeting last month in Izmir, hosted by The Magazine for German Travel and Tourism, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Sunexpress Airlines and Oger Tour, was aimed at promoting Didim to the Germans and offer them an alternative to Antalya and Alanya.
Deniz Atabay, chairman of Didim Tourism Association said the announcement was an exciting and excellent development for a resort such as Didim – an area that Holidays4U has been promoting for the past decade.
The question is, however, will there be enough deckchairs?
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TURKISH LIRA MOVES IN FAVOUR OF TOURISTS
03 May 2008
As the euro goes from strength to strength, forcing up the cost of holidays in the eurozone, the Turkish lira has fallen more than all emerging-market currencies except the Icelandic krona and the South African rand.
It’s not good news for the Turkish economy, but wonderful timing for Brits looking for an alternative to Spain, France, Portugal and other Mediterranean euro centres where prices have soared some 20 per cent since last year.
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HOLIDAY SPENDING GOES FURTHER IN TURKEY
20 April 2008
Turkey is the value-for-money holiday destination of the year with the tourist pound stretching further than in all the rival Mediterranean hotspots, says Karen Vyse, managing director of Turkey holiday specialists Holidays4U.
In January the Office of National Statistics reported that holidays are now considered essential and no longer a luxury, and added that people are prepared to cut back on home improvements and eating and drinking out rather than sacrifice their annual holiday.
Karen says: “The pound is currently at record lows against the euro in the foreign exchange markets and holidaymakers going to Spain, France, Portugal and anywhere else in the eurozone will find they have a fifth less spending money than they did a year ago.
“Sterling has also fallen against the Turkish lira, but by only 10 per cent, and as the BBC Radio 4’s Money Box presenter Bob Howard pointed out in a recent broadcast, the cost of living in Turkey is still relatively low, so the rise will be felt less.
“As an example he claimed a bottle of coke would now cost on average £2.95 in France, but only £1.06 in Turkey.”
And in research being posted by the Post Office this week, Helen Warburton, head of travel at the Post Office, said: “We have already seen a 15 per cent increase in our currency sales of the Turkish lira.”
Now we have the Sunday Times (April 20) reporting “savvy holidaymakers are avoiding the credit crunch by shunning eurozone countries and heading for destinations where sterling is stronger” and the Association of British Travel Agents quoted by that paper as saying there had been a noticeable increase in travel outside the traditional Mediterranean resorts with Turkey and Egypt as the “winners.”
“At Holidays4U we have also seen a sharp upturn in bookings, particularly in the past month, confirming the findings of the ONS report, and I am just pleased that as a result thousands more tourists will discover the delights of Turkey,” says Karen.
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CONGRATULATIONS
20 April 2008
Congratulations to Birmingham International Airport, one of the ten provincial airports used by Holidays4U, who achieved the highest percentage of on-time scheduled flights in the last quarter of 2007 than any other UK airport.
According to statistics released by the Civil Aviation Authority (the CAA) 80 per cent of all scheduled flights from Birmingham operated on time compared with the national average of 69 per cent.
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TURKISH PROPERTY BOOMS
13 April 2008
Some 73,000 foreigners now own homes in Turkey according to figures released by the Land Registry General Directorate, with the Brits and Germans making up the majority.
Mugla, where Bodrum is located, is the most popular area for the Brits with some 2.6m of the 4.4m sq metres of foreign-owned property now in British hands.
The Germans are second largest in Mugla, but rank first of the foreign owners in Antalya, where the Brits are second biggest.
Other foreign nationals include the Dutch, Danish, Irish and US citizens, and the total of foreign ownership is set to rise with news that Gulf investors have raised $90m to invest in the Turkish real estate market, with holiday homes and apartments in Antalya being a major target.
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TURKEY PLANNING 100 NEW GOLF COURSES
13 April 2008
The Turkish Golf Federation has plans to add 100 new golf courses and provide a real challenge to Spain and Portugal as a golfer’s paradise.
There are currently less than 20 courses in Turkey, but golf tourism is experiencing strong growth and revenues are expected to reach £400m by 2010.
Mugla Province is set to be the main target area and golfers will be able to play for considerably less than the average £65 for a round currently the rate on the Costa del Sol.
According to International Property News, while 27 holes winding through the pine forests and olive groves are under construction close to the village Munculur and a further 36 holes are nearing completion at Vita park near Bodrum, no less than a further 18 courses are planned to open over the next six years. The aim is to make Mugla one of Europe’s leading golf centres and, according to reports, world golfing bodies have already been approached to open debate about hosting international tournaments in the future.
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TURKEY OFFERS BETTER VALUE FOR YOUR POUNDS
13 April 2008
Don’t take our word for it, read it for yourself in the Independent on Sunday, where travel writer Amol Rajan looks at the effects of a weak sterling on European travel this year.
The article says: “Millions of British families will avoid holidays in Europe this summer because the soaring euro is making traditional destinations poor value for money.”
It points out that because of the slump in sterling in the foreign exchanges, holidaymakers will have about a fifth less spending money in the eurozone than they did a year ago and adds: “Though a family weekend break to Disneyland in Paris has gone up from £456 last year to £533 this year, a basket of everyday goods in countries including Croatia, Bulgaria and especially Turkey, remains inexpensive.
The article quotes Helen Warburton, head of travel at the Post Office who, having pointed out that sterling has fallen in value by 17-18 per cent compared to the euro in the past year, says: “We have already seen a 15 per cent increase in our currency sales of the Turkish lira, a sure sign that there are plenty of affordable destinations.”
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IT’S ON THE CARDS
30 March 2008
I pass on this information from an article in Money Mail as a warning to those pushing the plastic on holiday. The article claims that holidaymakers are losing £686m each year through stealth charges for using plastic cards overseas.
It says that over the past year many big banks have been pushing up the fees they charge every time a customer uses a card to buy a meal, pay a hotel bill or make a cash withdrawal, and adds: “these charges are hidden away by the banks’ manipulation of currency exchange rates.”
Mike Naylor, personal finance expert at uSwitch, is quoted as saying: “On a two week holiday it’s not unfeasible for someone to pay for 14 meals with a debit card, and with a transaction charge of £1.50 for each use, the charges could soon add up to £21 and that is before foreign exchange fees are added on.”
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TOUGHER TRAFFIC LAWS
30 March 2008
Foreign residents, and those hiring cars in Turkey, should be aware that the police are planning a crack down on drink drivers, those who do not wear seat belts and those who drive while speaking on their mobiles.
According to a police Press Release, offences such as driving through red lights will be cracked down on with the use of mobile cameras and they intend to use radar traps to catch speeding drivers, and the new arrangement include plans to prohibit smoking for drivers as well.
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FERRY HOPES
30 March 2008
After a year’s delay it appears that the ferry service from Altinkum to the Greek island of Kos may get launched in May. According to an exclusive story in Voices, Altinkum’s English language newspaper, the ferry service should be operational from May 1.
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AIRPORT NEWS
23 March 2008
GLASGOWAIRPORT is to create a free, covered pick-up and drop-off zone opposite the main terminal as part of an ongoing £2m plan to improve passenger access following the failed terrorist attack last year.
The new zone has been created in the ground floor of the multi-storey car park, directly opposite the terminal. Motorists will be able to drop off and pickup passengers just metres from the front of the terminal with a free stay for up to 10 minutes. Passengers intending to stay longer than 10 minutes must use the designated parking bays in car parks 1,2 or 3.
DURHAM TEES VALLEY AIRPORT advises that all travellers to the airport from the east, using the A66, that from March 30th for four weeks diversions will be in operation closing access through Long Newton, while works at the Long Newton interchange are in the completion phase.
When complete the changes will offer better direct access to the airport, but meanwhile passengers should allow additional time for their journey.
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LET THE SUMMER BEGIN
23 March 2008
According to Voices, Altinkum’s English language newspaper, many popular restaurants are already opening for the summer season. The paper says that there are also a host of new bars that are close to opening in the next couple of weeks.
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GATWICK PASSENGER NUMBERS RISE
15 March 2008
More than 2.3 million passengers travelled through Gatwick Airport in February, a rise of 3.4 per cent over February last year (not including this year’s extra leap year day).
Just another reminder that with the continuing security measures in force, passengers should not leave it too late when arriving for their flights.
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WALK IN ST PAUL’S FOOTSTEPS
15 March 2008
Daily Telegraph writer Jeremy Seal reminds readers today, just before Easter, how very close British tourists who visit the popular resorts of Fethiye, Hisaronu, Ovacik and Olu Deniz are to Christian history.
Mr Seal was staying in Kaya Village an area where St Paul once walked; it is only four or five miles from Fethiye, and today’s visitors can, with just a short break from the beach or swimming pool, tread in the disciple’s footsteps.
St Paul, born in Tarsus, then part of Southern Turkey, and a close friend of Jesus, travelled throughout Turkey and the middle-east spreading the message, and there are several places in Turkey dedicated to his memory, but few are as close to popular tourist spots as Kaya.
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BODRUM-SAMOS FERRY STARTS IN MAY
15 March 2008
Tourists visiting the Bodrum area this year will be able to take a day trip to the Greek Island of Samos following an agreement reached this week.
Round trips by ferry are to start in May; the 40-mile journey will take around 75 minutes and a round trip will cost 35 euros (approx £12).
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TURKEY’S ECONOMY SOARS
11 March 2008
At a time when the economies of the UK and many other parts of Europe are struggling, Turkey’s economy is almost one-third bigger than previous estimates according to an article in the Financial Times.
According to official figures Turkey’s gross domestic product was £300bn in 2006, a 31.6 per cent rise on the previous estimate. The article says that Turkey is one of the most watched emerging markets and foreign investors own 70 per cent of the Istanbul stock market and the revised figure is expected to “spark an upsurge in foreign direct investment.”
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A PROPHECY FOR DIDIM
11 March 2008
A former chapel close to the Apollon Temple is to be renovated and used to promote Didim’s heritage with tourists.
According to Mayor Mumin Kamaci, quoted in Voices, the locally produced English language newspaper: “Didim was a major prophecy centre of ancient times” and this site will be used to help tourists understand the area better.
Mayor Kamaci says he wants to renovate 100 more historical buildings around the temple and make the Apollon Temple area a centre of attraction.
Our prophecy is that with the marina due to open next year and the efforts being made by Mayor Kamaci and others, Didim is destined to be a great tourism success story.
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MARINA PROJECT EXPECTED TO BOOST HOUSE PRICES
07 March 2008
Signs are that the Didim Marina project, due for completion in May 2009, will double the number of tourists to the area and be a major factor in driving real estate prices upwards.
Speaking to Voices, the local English language newspaper, Mayor Mumin Kamaci, predicted a 100 per cent rise in tourist coming to Didim when the marina was completed, particularly attracting excursion yachts.
Construction supervisor Kemal Atabak said that by completion there would also be a boutique hotel with 80 rooms, businesses on 20 different sectors, shops, restaurants, cafes, markets, banks and a health clinic and parking for 526 vehicles. In addition there would be an open sports field, tennis courts, four multi-purpose sports fields, a shipyard, a ceremonial square, swimming pools and a sauna.
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CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK
07 March 2008
Renowned US travel critic Rick Steeves has described Turkey as one of the “must visit” locations in Europe, adding that he could not wait to get back there in April.
Mr Steeves was speaking at the New York Times Travel Show in New York, and seemingly he was not speaking just for himself; an estimated 800,000 Americans are expected to visit Turkey this year.
Meanwhile Turkish tourism professionals are out in numbers at the International Tourism Bourse, currently taking place in Berlin. This is said to be the world’s largest tourism exhibition, and Turkey’s representatives will occupy more than 2,500 square metres of the exhibition to show off the country’s attractions.
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BODRUM – THE TURKISH MONACO
02 March 2008
Daily Express travel writer Andrew Eames has been renewing his acquaintance with the delights of Bodrum accompanied by his teenage son and family; it is a place he first visited some 20 years ago.
For those of you getting withdrawal symptoms from this jewel of a resort, or anticipating a first-time visit, here is a taste of his article.
He writes: “When I first came, the Bodrum peninsula was still remote enough to be a haunt of travellers and yachties. These days, however, it has its own airport and has become the Turkish Monaco with extensive nightlife, designer retailing and ever-increasing numbers of up-market hotels.”
He continues: “The fabulous harbour usually hosts a cruise liner or two, moored beneath the castle of St Peter, and the surrounding hills are braided with new villa developments. There is even a giant new Tesco, called Kipa.”
Mr Eames dips his toes around the bay in Gumbet – “generously sandy and ideal for families” – and moves on to Bitez where the watersport prices were more competitive.
He finishes his article in a mezza café with an aperitif “before the serious nightlife begins” and concludes: “We felt the satisfaction of being in the right place, at the right time.”
Aren’t you dreaming of such happy memories?
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TURKEY – BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
27 February 2008
There is an intensive demand throughout Europe for holiday reservations, with Turkey on top of the list, according to a study by Thomas Cook this week. It says that experts expect “at least” a 10 per cent increase in tourist inflow to Turkey this year.
The study highlights Antalya, Marmaris and Kusadasi as the “must-see” destinations.
Significantly Spain has lost its popularity among European tourists while Turkey, Croatia and Bulgaria are the new emerging markets in terms of tourism, especially for British tourists.
An indication of how dramatically Turkey is overtaking Spain is the announcement by the Spanish tourism giant, Barcelo Corporation, that it plans to open four more hotels in Turkey, taking their total to seven in the country.
Enrique Ecker, Barcelo’s area manager for Turkey is quoted as saying: “We truly believe in the future of the country as one of the world’s top tourism destinations thanks to its privileged location close to the main source markets and its amazing history and cultural heritage.”
He added that the plan was to be present in the most important destinations, and confirmed that Bodrum and the Antalya resorts were among those areas being discussed.
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CRUISE SHIPS ARE COMING
24 February 2008
In addition to the millions arriving by air, some 700,000 tourists are expected to step ashore in Turkey’s popular holiday resorts this season as a host of huge cruise liners tie up alongside the newly contracted cruise ships expected to dock in Kusadasi Harbour this season.
The new season starts with the berthing of the Aqua Marine at the port on March 8; it is expected to be the first of some 700 ships due this year at the port.
Such is the rate of growing popularity of Turkey as a tourist attraction that the construction of a third wharf and the development of the existing wharves’ capacity are now priorities.
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RENEWAL OPTION
24 February 2008
Ex-pats living in Didim can now renew their residency visas in Kusadasi rather than having to travel to Aydin.
Arrangements have been made for the procedure to take place at the police station at the harbour, where there is an office that deals with visas, where all relevant documents should be taken.
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BATs STRIKES LUCKY IN TURKEY
24 February 2008
Hard on the heels of the statement last week that foreign investors are flooding into Turkey comes news that British American Tobacco has won a £873m battle to buy Tekel Cigarette the state-owned Turkish company.
The makers of Lucky Strike emerged the winner after equity group investors Citigroup Ventures and Cinven, and Dogan, a Turkish media and consumer goods conglomerate, stepped away from the auction.
Turkey is the eighth-largest tobacco market in the world, but the market is expected to fall by around five per cent as a smoking ban, similar to that in the rest of Europe comes into force by 2009.
According to Paul Adams, BAT chief executive talking to the London Financial Times: “We are buying into a declining market. But the fall in volume will be compensated by the growing population, better pricing and consumers trading up.”
A growing number of major British companies are being attracted to Turkey as the country’s economy grows and its popularity with tourists, particularly the British, develops. Among those with a foothold in the country now are Vodafone, who bought Telsim, Turkey’s second largest mobile phone group, Tesco, Shell, BP, and Cadbury Schweppes.
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QUEEN PLANNING TURKEY VISIT
20 February 2008
Turkey attracts all the best people, as anybody reading this site will know already, and according to a report in the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, the Queen and Prince Philip expect to be boosting the tourist numbers this year.
The report says that Turkish and British Foreign Ministry officials are still working on the details of the visit, planned for May, but the exact dates will be announced shortly before her visit.
Buckingham Palace refused to confirm or deny the report saying “no announcements of the Queen’s foreign trips for this year have been made.” So, unless you subscribe to Hurriyet, you read it here first.
However, the newspaper report quotes diplomats as saying the Queen will be staying in Ankara and will also visit Istanbul and they say that a British warship will arrive in Istanbul at the same time and it is expected the Queen will host a reception aboard the ship.
Turkey’s president Abdullah Gul is expected to host a dinner at the Cankaya Presidential Palace in Ankara. It seems a lot of effort if she isn’t going to make the journey.
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EVERY LITTLE HELPS
19 February 2008
Tesco, which already has 46 outlets in Turkey, has announced that Didim is a priority target for a new store.
Didim, popular with British tourists and ex-pats, would be a natural extension for the supermarket group’s expansion which will lead to the group becoming one of the biggest employers in Turkey over the next five years.
Rahmi Sarici, Property Purchasing Regional manager of Tesco-Kipa, has confirmed to Voices, Altinkum’s English language newspaper, that Didim is a prime target and that he expected the project to transform the shopping habits of people in the region and change the social structure of the region and develop the district socially.
While negotiations are continuing for a suitable site, it is expected to be big enough to support a cinema and a bowling hall as well.
A spokesperson at Tesco’s headquarters in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, confirmed that the group now has 46 outlets open in Turkey and expects the growth to continue over the next few years.
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MIGROS TURK TO GET A BRITISH LOOK
19 February 2008
BC Partners, a low-profile, London-based private-equity group, is buying a 51 per cent stake in Migros Turk for $1.7bn and is offering to buy the remainder of the shares in a deal that will raise the overall cost to $3.2bn.
Migros owns 961 stores in Turkey and neighbouring countries, employs 14,800 people and, in 2006, recorded sales of $3.6bn; BC Partners’ senior partner Francesco Conte says: “we are committed to working together with the management team in developing the business and investing in the future.”
Growing the business should not be difficult despite growing opposition from other big players, such as Tesco-Kipa (see Every Little Helps). According to statistics by international accountants PricewaterhouseCooper Turkey has just 17 supermarkets per million people compared with 150 per million in most other parts of the European Union.
Those figures show why Migros Turk became such a target with two other world players in the private equity world – Blackstone Group and KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co) – both said to have been pitching for the group, as well as Russian billionaire Mikhail Fridman’s Alfa Group also said to have shown an interest.
BC Partners, run by 45-year old French financier Raymond Svider, is the owner in the UK of, among others, Fitness First, the gym chain, General Healthcare Group, a private hospital business and last summer bought Foxtons, the up-market London estate agency group.
While the world-wide credit crunch has restricted some private equity group activities in recent months, BC Partners has succeeded in having this deal financed by Turkish banks Garanti Bank, is Bank and Vakifbank, and includes Turkven Private Equity, the leading private equity firm in Turkey, as a minority investor.
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FOREIGN INVESTORS BOOST STAKE IN TURKEY
19 February 2008
Further signs that Turkey is now a major economic player in the world comes with the announcement that foreign direct investment in the country soared a staggering 9.5 per cent last year to a record $21.87bn (Approx £11.2bn).
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a Parliamentary group “The Turkish economy has shifted gears.”
As recently as 2003 Turkey attracted only $1.7bn of inward investment but expectations are for a further $60bn worth to pour in over the next three years.
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TURKEY IS HOT, HOT, HOT
17 February 2008
Turkey has plans to increase its share of world tourism from the current 2.5 per cent to four per cent, Tourism Investors Association President Murat Dedeman told journalists at the opening of the East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Fair this weekend.
Mr Dedeman was supported by Mr Ertrugrul Gunay, Turkey’s minister of tourism and culture, who said that while tourism in Turkey had been growing faster than the world average, it still had the potential to grow even further. He emphasised the need to spread tourism throughout the whole year, not just the summer season, and to diversify tourism destinations.
The message is clearly getting through. This weekend three of the UK’s biggest national newspapers, the Daily Mail, The Telegraph and The Times all carried major feature articles on the delights of Turkey.
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BODRUM TO FLAUNT ITS CULTURE SIDE
17 February 2008
Bodrum is determined to offer tourists even more than its already famous sun, sea and sand, and wants visitors and ex-pats to appreciate its history, culture and art activities as well.
A meeting of some 150 representatives from the arts have met at the Bodrum Art and Culture Association to discuss how best to make this town a centre for these activities.
Plans are to invite experts in all fields of the arts to a series of national and international festivals and workshops and to turn the area into a 12-month a year attraction.
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NOT STRICTLY COME DANCING
17 February 2008
A group of British residents in the Oludeniz district in Fethiye are to demonstrate their expertise in Turkish singing and folk dancing to a prestigious Turkish audience next Saturday (Feb. 23) in the eastern province of Kars.
Although the group only started to learn the intricacies a year ago with the aim of making a one-off performance, it was such a success that the group of three men and five women, all in their 50s, have already attracted crowds at local events and have appeared live on television.
Modest spokesman for the group David Groom says he is not certain whether the Turkish audience is impressed or merely curious, but other ex-pats are said to be very impressed.
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DIDIM IMAGE TO GET A FIVE STAR BOOST
10 February 2008
Didim, always seen as a neighbour of popular Altinkum, is pushing for wider recognition as a tourist hot spot. Three major five star hotels will be opening in the area by the start of the 2008 tourist season and in 2010 a seven-star holiday village is due for completion.
Didim’s Mayor Mumin Kamaci believes the new boutique and international hotels, aimed at bringing elite tourists in from Britain, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam, Belgium, Norway, Germany and the Netherlands, will strengthen the image of Didim on the international stage and boost the local economy.
Among other improvements due to be completed before the summer season is the renovation of the road in red cobblestones between the second beach and Altinkum beach and a widening of the pavement.
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GLASGOW AIRPORT TRAVEL WARNING
10 February 2008
If you are planning to travel from Glasgow Airport next weekend allow some extra time for the journey to the airport. Resurfacing work on the M8 motorway is planned from Friday February 15 to Monday February 18 during which a contra flow system will be operating, and passengers travelling eastbound to Glasgow Airport (ie from Greenock, Gourock, Irvine etc) are warned they should allow extra time for their journey.
Passengers wishing to access the airport from the eastbound carriageway of the M8 motorway should follow diversion signs to junction 27 (Arkleston junction) entering the airport via junction 28 on the westbound carriageway.
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EAST MIDLANDS RECORD
10 February 2008
A new annual passenger record has been set at East Midlands Airport with a total of 5,414,299 passengers using the Castle Donington Airport – an increase of 14.5 per cent over 2006.
Penny Coates, managing director of the airport said: “The record increase demonstrates the demand in the region for local access to air travel.”
At H4U we know how important it is to have convenient flights from your local airports and, as well as offering flights to Turkey from East Midlands, we fly from nine other regional airports as well, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham Tees Valley, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Gatwick and Cardiff.
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BAGGAGE
10 February 2008
Newcastle International Airport has lifted restrictions on passengers carrying just one piece of hand baggage, although travellers will still not be allowed to carry liquids, creams or gels of more than 100ml in cabin baggage.
However, each airline has its own policy regarding cabin baggage allowed on their aircraft and passengers are advised to check direct with their airline before travelling to the airport.
Gatwick Airport is also relaxing its rules on baggage with passengers connecting flights through the North Terminal now able to travel with more than one piece of hand baggage. This rule was also relaxed for passengers connecting flights through the South Terminal last month, but the one bag rule remains for all other flights although this too is expected to be relaxed in the near future.
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MORE FLIGHTS SCHEDULED
10 February 2008
The average number of flights made by the British is expected to rise from four to eight a year over the next 15-20 years according to Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer.
Airbus said the number of airliners in service with more than 100 seats would more than double globally from 14,980 to 33,000 by 1926. It said that no other European country would match Britain’s growth in demand for flights.
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EXPORTS UP
04 February 2008
Turkey’s exports surged a massive 49.3 per cent in January over the same month last year with Britain the second biggest customer after Germany. At $9.82 billion (approx £10m) it was the biggest jump in Turkey’s history.
Announcing the figures at the monthly meeting of the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, TIM President Oguz Satici revealed that the industrial sector recorded $8.4bn sales over the month, the export of vehicles bringing in $2.15bn with the textile industry contributing $1.45bn and chemicals $1bn.
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TURKEY ‘OLE
04 February 2008
More and more Spaniards are moving as far away from the Costa as they can when the Brits invade their shores each summer choosing to pack their bags and move to the other end of the Mediterranean - that is Turkey. It’s all part of the growing appeal of Turkey as a tourist destination.
According to figures released by the UN World Trade Organisation, Europe attracts more than half the world’s tourists with Turkey the fastest growing destination, up 18 per cent last year.
Some 300,000 Spanish tourists visited Turkey in 2007, a rise of 23 per cent on the previous year, and the target this year is for 350,000 such tourists according to Ismail Aksel, deputy advisor at the Culture and Tourism Ministry of Turkey.
Mr Aksel was speaking at the International Tourism Fair in Madrid where Turkey’s stand was the third biggest of any country’s exhibit, a further sign of the massive world-wide tourism promotion that Turkey is undertaking this year.
In the UK Turkey is spending several million pounds on television and Sunday magazines advertising the country’s attractions, part of a £70m world-wide spend to build Turkey into one of the top five tourist destinations in the world over the next few years.
Part of that growth will come through developing the country as a year-round resort and encouraging hotel owners to keep their doors open throughout the year. Like Spain, Turkey plans to target golfers with international standard golf courses.
The “Tourism Living Quarter” project on the Bodrum-Milas road is one such project. The plot spans more than 9,000 acres and, as well as a 670 acre international course, will include a hotel, apartment hotels and training centres and villas.
According to those associated with the project, due for completion by the end of 2009, golfers spend around 150 euros a day (approx £100) taking into account the balls, course charges, meals and drinks; in addition there are hotel charges and other spending on shopping and entertainment, all adding to the economy of the region.
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OPPORTUNITY MISSED?
31 January 2008
A plot of land earmarked as a future tourist facility in Marmaris has failed to find a bidder at auction.
The plot, with an appraised value of 39m lira (approx £18m) was put up for sale by the official Savings Deposit Insurance Fund in Istanbul on Tuesday but attracted no bids.
Could be an opportunity with some local knowledge!
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TURKEY’S ECONOMY SET TO GROW
27 January 2008
Turkey, currently ranked 17th, expects to move into the world’s top ten economies in the next 15 years as it steps up major reforms and becomes a more European country, foreign minister Ali Babacan told business and political leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this weekend.
Mr Babacan stressed Turkey’s transformation over the past five years and its determination to continue economic, political and social reforms.
He insisted that over the next 15 years it would become more and more of a European country.
He said economic growth this year is targeted around five per cent, very similar to 2007
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SWITCH IT OFF
27 January 2008
Three passengers on an Alitalia flight from Milan were arrested last week after refusing to turn off their mobile phones. The pilot was forced to abort takeoff at the last minute after noticing interference with the plane’s navigation instruments.
There is also speculation that the recent crash landing by the British Airways Boeing 777 at Heathrow may have been caused by electromagnetic interference from wireless devices (ie) probably a mobile phone.
One day airlines may install technology that allows passengers to make and receive calls while in the air. Until they do, switch off when asked, you know it makes sense.
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“THE YEAR OF ST PAUL” EXPECTED TO ATTRACT 500,000 TOURISTS TO ISPARTA
25 January 2008
Tourists with more than sun, sea and sand in mind and a little more time on their hands could be attracted to the south western province of Isparta this year, the place where St Paul delivered his first sermon.
Isparta’s Culture and Tourism director, Abdullah Kilic, is preparing for up to 500,000 tourists this year to celebrate what Pope Benedict XVI has declared “The Year of St Paul.”
Arrangements are in hand to meet tourists’ social and accommodation needs.
Paul was born in Tarsus, Cilicia in Asia Minor, the present-day Turkey.
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SPRING COMES EARLY TO BODRUM
25 January 2008
Fed up with the winter floods, rain and snow in the UK? then dream of Bodrum where temperatures have been hitting a spring-like18C (62-63F in old money) during the past week and flowers have been blooming.
According to The New Anatolian English-language newspaper: “Tourists were seen swimming in the sea and enjoying plenty of sunshine,”
In fairness, eastern Turkey has been hit by a cold front coming in from Siberia and has seen temperatures at minus 20C.
The Bodrum peninsula is one of Turkey’s most popular areas for British visitors and property buyers; that doesn’t look like changing in 2008 and is why Dominic Whiting, editor of the Buying in Turkey guide, picks the area as a favourite for ex-pats and “the cream of Turkish society” and says “there is a great choice of property – from city centre apartments to sea view villas or multi-million pound palaces; along with excellent nightlife, entertainment, dining and leisure facilities.”
The fine January weather is a bonus.
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EX-PATS IN CHARITY SWIM
20 January 2008
English and Scottish residents in Turgutreis, Bodrum, joined other ex-pats and Turkish nationals in a two-mile swim in the less than warm waters of the Aegean to raise funds for disabled children.
According to a report in Voices, the English language newspaper of the area the funds raised from this and other events organised throughout January will be used to provide educational appliances for the disabled children of Turgutreis.
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SEA, SUN, SAND AND CULTURE
20 January 2008
Mumin Kamaci, Mayor of Didim, speaking at a Press Conference this week has stated that the Delta of Civilisations project in Meandros will highlight the organic and cultural unity of Didim, Soke and Gullubahce and raise the quality of tourism in the area. The project will start with a series of events between June 27 and July 26 including concerts at the ancient theatres.
Mr Kamaci said: “Tourists coming to Turkey on all-inclusive holiday packages leave unaware of the beauties of our country. From airport to the hotel and then back to the airport they only enjoy the triad of sea, sand and sun. Our land, cradle of civilisations, is rich with history and this should be promoted.”
He said this project would spread tourism throughout the region.
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IT’S OK FOR TURKEY
20 January 2008
There will be no need for celebrity junkies to go without their regular fix of news and views while in Turkey from now on. Northern & Shell, publishers of OK magazine has licensed GD Gazette Dergi, part of Turkey’s Ciner Group, to publish a Turkish edition.
The Turkish launch edition has 132 pages and carries two free insert magazines, one featuring leisure and television listings and the other the best celebrity stories from the United States.
The initial print run is 50,000 copies and the introductory price will be 1 lira, although the cover price is expected to rise to 3 lira in the near future.
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SAVE ON MOBILE CALLS IN TURKEY
20 January 2008
Airport Parking & Hotels, the long-stay airport parking specialists is offering travellers savings of up to 80 per cent on mobile calls while in Turkey with their new SIM4travel service.
Just swap your UK SIM for the SIM4travel SIM and you can receive calls for free in Turkey and you can make calls for just 25p a minute.
It costs £5.99 to join the scheme and you can add £10 of call time, giving 40 minutes of calls throughout Europe and unlimited inbound calls; further top-ups can be made at any time. You will be given a new 00 44 number that can be used every time you travel and it can be used in more than 110 countries.
Further details available from Airport Parking & Hotels (01342 859515) or on their web site at aph.com, or call SIM4travel direct on 0207 107 9700.
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TURKEY TAKES TOURISTS SERIOUSLY
16 January 2008
The Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture plans to spend $140m (£70m plus) this year to promote the country’s tourism potential internationally and to diversify tourism facilities, tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay announced today.
Turkey attracted just over 23m tourists last year, some 18 per cent more than in 2006, and is already ranked among the top ten countries in the world in terms of tourism potential, with the British playing a major role, but the ministry wants to be in the top five and is aiming to build to 40m tourists annually.
The ministry will campaign in 83 countries and on various international platforms through a series of themed and destination-orientated films and is particularly targeting the United States, Japan and China.
Mr Gunay plans to open new tourism areas, naming Kars-Sankamis regions for winter sports, unused thermal centres in Southern Marmara and Aegean regions, Mersin province and its surrounding areas, and Mersins’s Taurus district for faith tourism.
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GONE FISHING
16 January 2008
Hakan Cetinkaya and his British-born wife Laura Bower are launching The Flying Fish, their luxury cruiser this summer offering everything from fishing trips at £20 per person to a Honeymoon cruise around the Aegean or a day trip to Kos.
According to the English language Voices Newspaper the cruiser will be based in Didim offering residents a quicker, and more localised, option than having to trek to Bodrum for a trip to the Greek islands. Instead of four hours each way, residents and tourists face just 2 ½ hours each way leaving more time ashore.
And they can travel in the luxurious rosewood saloon with the latest movies shown on a flat screen television and complimentary hand-cooked meals.
But when not chartered for whole-day excursions The Flying Fish will be available for day cruises at a cost of just £125 for up to five people, fishing trips at £20 per person for three hours or a romantic sunset dinner cruise for just £25 per person.
Anyone wanting further information should log on to www. Didimyachting.com or contact Laura direct on +90 535 424 4661.
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PINK SAILS IN THE SUNSET
16 January 2008
Visitors to Bodrum this year will not fail to notice the luxury yacht in the harbour with distinctive pink sails. The boat belongs to one of Bodrum’s newest residents, Liverpool hairdresser Herbert Howe who, according to the English language Voices Newspaper, has bought a house next door to the former right-wing prime minister of Turkey, Mesut Yilmaz.
Mr Howe who owns the £3m Bling Bling Salon in Liverpool has a penchant for everything pink and as well as the sails on his boat, he has pink awnings on his Bodrum home and even tried to get the crew of his yacht to wear pink uniforms – they refused.
Mr Howe has been visiting Bodrum for twenty years and says: “The locals are lovely” – and who would argue with that.
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TURKISH INTEREST RATES SET TO FALL
14 January 2008
Turkish interest rates are set to fall by a quarter of one per cent this month and by a further half per cent by the end of March, according to Sertan Kargin, chief economist at Turkiye Ekonomi Bankasi.
He says that the Central Bank of Turkey will leave ratees unchanged at 15 per cent until the third quarter then reduce rates further to leave them at 14.25 per cent by the year end.
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PROPERTY PRICE MIGHT BE ABOUT TO SOAR IN BODRUM AREA.
14 January 2008
Good news and bad news for those buying or seeking to buy in and around the Bodrum area, once considered the pearl at the crossroads of the Aegean and the Mediterranean.
The City fathers are getting concerned about the amount of building work going on in the area, with 25,000 new constructions every year.
Mazlum Agan, mayor of the Milas district has told the Dogan News Agency “our coasts have turned into a concrete jungle. We do not want any other construction on the peninsula.”
Mayor Agan, and others, are concerned that this area is in danger of over-development, as in some parts of the Spanish Costas, and he is looking for measures to restrict further development.
While this would be bad news for those planning to move or buy summer homes in this desirable area, it could be good news for those already with a foothold as they are likely to see property prices soar.
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CHECK YOUR PASSPORT
10 January 2008
Travellers are being encouraged to check their passports are up-to-date for the coming year. The Government has warned that travellers may face a six-week wait to get a new passport under anti-fraud measures introduced last year.
Adults applying for their first passport will be called for interview in one of 69 passport offices around the country. Those with renewing passports can still use the one-week fast track service.
All passports now issued are biometric passports, or ePassports, which include a chip storing physical details of the holder’s face.
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TURKEY – FOOTBALL’S TRAINING GROUND
10 January 2008
Football fans could make the relatively short journey from the beaches to Antalya this spring and mingle with up to 500 major Turkish and European clubs who are expected to do their winter training in that area between January and the end of March.
According to a report in the Turkish Daily News there are more than 100 football pitches in the region and clubs such as Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04 (German title contender), Wender Bremen, Dynamo Moscow and Spartak Moscow are already taking advantage of the warmer weather and sporting facilities on offer rather than stay at home and train in their own snow-covered stadiums.
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Book your budget holiday now to avoid the surcharge
07 January 2008
With oil prices topping $100 a barrel for the first time ever last week, the Mail on Sunday reports that British Airways could be planning a further fuel surcharge which, on its long-haul flights could top £100.
A BA spokesperson admitted to the newspaper that it was closely monitoring the situation and the surcharge is under constant review.
If BA does act, then other airlines could follow.
We, however, are guaranteeing that no matter what happens elsewhere throughout the year, we will not be increasing our prices on any bookings made with us before the end of January 2008.
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More baggage
07 January 2008
The ban on taking more than one piece of hand luggage, in force since August 2006, is being lifted at more than 20 British Airports from today. The Department for Transport says that these airports now have the screening capacity to handle additional cabin bags and it hopes that all British airports will be given permission to remove the restrictions in the coming months.
Most Scottish Airports, including Glasgow and Edinburgh are lifting the one-bag rule today, as are Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester.
Some smaller airports, including Bristol, East Midlands, Liverpool and Luton will continue to have restrictions in place, as will London Gatwick where engineering works are underway which will allow the restriction to be lifted in the near future.
However, be aware that some airlines have their own rules concerning the size and number of hand luggage to be taken so check with your airline before travelling.
Our main carrier, Onur Air limits hand baggage to no more than five kilos per person.
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Turkey is the Place
04 January 2008
According to Paul Oswell, renowned writer for Travel Mail, Turkey will be one of the top ten destinations for UK holidaymakers this year.
But don’t take his – or even our - word for it, the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) reports that early bookings so far look very good for Turkey.
This is a destination discovered not only by the British, however, as a “mass influx” of German tourists is also expected this year according to German Economy Undersecretary Helmut Muller speaking on a recent visit to Didim.
If you want to get your towels on the sun loungers first, get booking early.
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No Smoking in Turkey ?
03 January 2008
A ban on smoking in all public areas is set to become law in Turkey by the middle of next year. The ban will include cigars, pipes and even the traditional water pipe (nargile), and will apply to tourists as well as locals.
Under the new law, owners of cafes, restaurants and bars will be fined up to 5,000 YTL if they allow customers to light up and TV stations will be barred from airing shows in which people can be seen smoking.
Enforcing smoking bans in Turkey has been tricky in the past with fines up to 5,000 YTL for smoking in places such as hospitals rarely imposed and, according to the newspaper Didim Today, it is not unusual to see people lighting up next to no-smoking signs in public places.
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Where There's a Turk There's Hope
02 January 2008
As we Brits anticipate a gloomy 2008 with fears of a credit crunch, bankruptcies and mortgage problems, new research has shown that Turks are more optimistic than three billion other world citizens. According to a poll by the Kapa Research Company of Greece, and reported by leading Turkish columnist Fehmi Koru in the publication Today’s Zaman, Turks fully expect life standards to be better and they believe they will become happier in 2008.
While Turkish citizens previously based their hopes and expectations on internal political situations, this year the improving economic situation is providing material comfort.
Last year for instance Turkey’s exports set a new record of $105.9 billion according to the Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, an increase of nearly 24 per cent, and this year Turkish State Minister Kursad Tuzmen has set the export target at $125 billion. The minister said: “2008 will be the year when business will overtake politics.”
And there is good news on the tourist front too with the Association of British Travel Agents in Britain saying: “early bookings for Turkey so far look very good” and Germany’s Economy Undersecretary, Helmut Muller predicting a “mass influx of German tourists can be expected.”
Meanwhile, foreign business is targeting Turkey as an area for expansion. Canadian car-parts giant Magna International Inc has announced plans to expand its presence in Turkey. Although no figure has been put on the investment planned by Magna, Press reports in Turkey have given figures in the range of $400m-$500m.
Company spokesperson Tracy Fuerst is quoted as saying: “Turkey was selected primarily due to the existence of a supplier infrastructure and functioning logistics, as well as strong market potential for the region’s automotive sector.”
Turkey is expected to have the capacity to build 1,440,000 light vehicles by 2010, some 26 per cent more than last year and, as well as having a highly skilled labour force, production costs are much lower than in other European Union countries.
There is, however, just one cloud on the horizon and that is inflation with Government records showing a rise of 8.4 per cent in consumer prices last year.
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Golf and Sailing Spearhead Turkey's Leisure Growth
01 January 2008
Turkey is set to be a golf “hot spot” threatening established locations such as Spain and Portugal according to research by accountants KPMG Golf Advisory Services and a survey of golf course architects and tour operators.
KPMG’s Andrea Sartori says: “The golf industry as a whole is likely to benefit from the continued growth of the broader travel and tourism industry. However, the traditional markets of Europe and North America can expect increasing competition from the emerging golf destinations that offer high quality golfing experiences at affordable prices.”
At the same time Turkey is building its attraction for sailors with the 282,000 square metre, $50m Altinkum Didim Yacht Marina due for completion next year. Facilities will include an extensive dry dock with the capacity to house 650 boats and the marina itself will hold 450 boats. Further updates available on www.altinkummarina.net.
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British Consulate Moves
01 January 2008
The British Consulate in Altinkum has moved to Cafer Pasa Caddesi, 2 Emsan Evieri No: 7, Bodrum.
According to a report in Voices, Altinkum’s English language newspaper, anyone going by car should drive to Bodrum and take the left turning, sign posted Sehir Merkesi. Follow the road to the harbour and drive along the harbour road; towards the end of the harbour, the road bends to the right and up an incline. Coming down from the top, take the right fork and the Consulate building is to the right of the building housing Aegean Travel.
Alternatively telephone 0252 3130021 or 0252 3130022 or e-mail at honconbod2@superonline.com.
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Shortage of Holidays to Turkey
01 January 2008
It was reported this week in The Sun that British holiday makers might not get too many bargains in 2008. It is expected that there will be over 1 million fewer package holidays available and this will drive up prices. They predict that Turkey will be 'hot destination' for next summer.
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Aegean Flights are the specialists in low cost flights to and from Turkey
Remember nobody else offers low cost flights like these to and from convenient local UK airports to the main resort airports of Turkey with prices starting from as little at £39, which includes all those horrible new taxes and security charges.
For a modest additional charge you can also climb aboard one of our airport transfer coaches that shuttle between the Bodrum Airport and Bodrum and Altinkum, or Dalaman Airport for the resorts of Olu Deniz, Hisaronou, Ovacik, Marmaris, Icmeler, Turunc and Dalyan.
