Istanbul Aims To Host 6,5 Million In 2007

A news conference was organized at Istanbul Governor's Office with the attendance of Cumhur Guven Tasbasi; Deputy Governor of Istanbul, Timur Bayindir; Istanbul Touristic Hotels & Investors Association President, and Handan Boyce; General Manager of Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"Number of foreign tourists visiting Istanbul in the first six months of 2007 rose 25 percent to 2.8 million," Cumhur Guven Tasbasi, deputy governor of Istanbul, said.

Tasbasi said, "Recently, the tourism understanding of'sea, sand and sun' has begun changing. Now, people prefer different destinations. In 2006, 5.3 million foreign tourists visited Istanbul. Number of foreign tourists visiting Istanbul in the first six months of 2007 rose 25 percent to 2.8 million. Istanbul has a different potential in Turkey's tourism. We expect that the number of foreign tourists visiting Istanbul will reach 6.5 million till the end of the year. We aim at increasing this number up to 10 million in 2010 when Istanbul will be the Cultural Capital of Europe.”

Bayindir said that Istanbul has a total of 100,000 bed capacity and average tourists' stay in the city is 2 to 2,5 days.

" Turkey's total tourism income was 17 billion USD in 2006. 4.6 billion USD of this amount belonged to Istanbul. German, Russian, French, British and Dutch tourists prefer Istanbul. They are followed by American and Spanish tourists," he added.

Meanwhile, Handan Boyce, General Manager of ICVB, said "Istanbul made a significant progress in congress tourism in the last five years. Istanbul was ranked 49th in congress tourism in 1998 and 17th in 2006."

"Next year, we will host'World Hemophilia Congress' and'World Osteoporosis Congress' in Istanbul. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend those events. On the other hand, Istanbul is one of two candidates to host'World AIDS Congress' in 2010. The other candidate is Vienna. The host city will be announced in July," she added.

F1 Istanbul To Be Run 24-26 August

The Formula 1 Turkey Grand Prix is taking place in Istanbul Park for the third time this year from 24- 26 August 2007. Beginning of this year a new company headed by Bernie Ecclestone has taken over the running of the Istanbul Park circuit.

The newly-formed Istanbul Park Organizasyon (IPO), a subsidiary of Formula One Administration Ltd, has taken a 15-year lease on the circuit and has agreed to promote the Turkish Grand Prix, thereby securing the event for the foreseeable future.

"This is without any doubt the best venue in the world," said Ecclestone. "I am very proud of what has been built here and it opens the eyes of everybody around the world to what can be achieved in Turkey ."

Istanbul Park joined the Formula One calendar in 2005 and the Hermann Tilke-designed circuit was instantly hailed a hit by fans and drivers alike, thanks to its superb facilities and challenging layout.

Several organizations and concerts will take place during and following the F1 GP week in Istanbul . Placebo, Muse, Kasabian, Gogol Bordello, The Sisters of Mercy and many others will be in town.

World's Largest Public Art Event In Istanbul

World's largest public art event will be held in Istanbul streets from August 1st till October 31st. Started at Chicago and New York in 1999 and 2000, CowParade continues to evolve worldwide and this August the parade will arrive one of world's oldest cities.

190 cow sculptures, designed by artists and celebrities including fashion designer Cemil Ipekci, singers Sezen Aksu and Nil Karaibrahimgil under sponsorship of Turkish dairy company SUTAS, will be on the streets, at high profile buildings and shopping malls from Nisantasi to Maslak. CowParade Istanbul will capture the imagination of the City's residents and visitors and the aim is to make the event as exciting, fun and inclusive as possible.

The CowParade Istanbul is set to become one of the most popular art events ever to take place in Istanbul and across Turkey . It is anticipated that it will have a major economic and cultural impact on the City.

Most important, CowParade ultimately benefits charity. At the conclusion of each event, the cows are herded up and many are auctioned, with a substantial portion of the proceeds benefiting charity. After the exhibition is over, the cow sculptures will be auctioned. The income will be donated to Mother Child Education Foundation (ACEV), and Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats.

Rock'n Coke Celebrates its 5th Birthday

This year, Turkey's biggest open-air music festival, Rock ‘n Coke Istanbul, is celebrating its 5th year. Rock'n Coke 2007's line-up was announced at the 5th anniversary party held at The Hall. This year's fans prepare to be rocked to the core by The Smashing Pumpkins, Franz Ferdinand, Chris Cornell and Manic Street Preachers.

Sponsored by Coca Cola and organized by Pozitif, Rock'n Coke Istanbul will take place from August 31st to September 2nd at the Hezarfen Airfield. Turkey's largest open air music festival's fifth year bash was held on May 30th at Istanbul hot-spot, The Hall. Rock'n Coke Istanbul's 2007 line-up was announced before a crowd of guests that included past acts, music industry executives, members of the press, as well as representatives from the festival.

The Festival's “headliners” include The Smashing Pumpkins and recent chart-topping sensations, Franz Ferdinand. Charismatic and melancholic front-man, Billy Corgan, led The Smashing Pumpkins to sell over 50 million records worldwide. He is without a doubt one of the most important figures in the history of Rock music. Fans are waiting in anticipation of the band's second coming, which will take place this summer. Following the release of a new album, the band will set out on a world tour, which is expected to propel them to the top of the charts once again.

High-energy garage-rock and post-punk outfit, Franz Ferdinand, is expected to be the festival's other shining star. Mercury Music Prize recipients, Franz Ferdinand, will appear onstage in Istanbul at Rock'n Coke just weeks before the release of their newest album. 

The festival's other big names include Chris Cornell, the legendary voice of super-group Audioslave and alternative rock favourite, Soundgarden, as well as innovative Welsh rock group Manic Street Preachers.

Many surprises are in store for Rock'n Coke's 5th year. Turkish rock-pop sensation Teoman will perform together with Rashit and heavy metal band Pentagram is expected to perform old favourites as well as material off of their forthcoming album. The main stage will also feature Özlem Tekin, Within Temptation, Hayko Cepkin, Gripin and Asli.

The Alternative Stage will feature: Erol Alkan, Mehdi, Uffie & Feadz, Filthy Dukes, Style-Ist, AgentOrange, Mabbas, Buraka Son Sistema, Ayben & Fairuz Derinbulut, Bedük, üçnoktabir, Popcorn, Digital Playground, Neon, Ayyuka, Rumble Fish, Raining Pleasure, Dirty Soundsystem (Bang! & Harunizer).

Hezarfen Airfield Celebrates 5 years of hosting the Music World's Brightest Stars…

In just four short years, Rock'n Coke has succeeded in becoming one of the world's most-anticipated music festivals. Up until now, Rock'n Coke has hosted 79 foreign acts, 56 domestic acts and over 500 musicians. Rock'n Coke has gained a sterling reputation for presenting the biggest names in Alternative Rock to tens of thousands of music-lovers. Past Acts include Pet Shop Boys, Iggy & the Stooges, The Cure, Placebo, Muse, Simple Minds, Suede, The Cardigans, 50 Cents, The Rasmus, Korn, The Offspring, and Skin.

Get ready for the festival that hosted 40.000 spectators, 4.000 tents and employed over 2.000 individuals. This is the summer's hottest super-festival, the only one that caters to over 55.000 music-lovers, 10.000 campers, and employs over 7.000.

Tickets at Biletix ( www.biletix.com ) Rock'n Coke Istanbul tickets will be able through the Biletix website and Biletix sales points.

New Trend is Marrying In Istanbul

World celebrities are now coming to Istanbul to live their most beautiful days in their lifetime. Celebrities are getting married in Istanbul with a scenic view of Bosphorus that divides two continents.

Getting married and taking honeymoon in Istanbul or other cities of Turkey is the new trend. Last year, daughter of Saudi Arabia's sheikh get married in Istanbul . Thousands of dollars were spent for this wedding.

This July, Istanbul hosted Indian jet-set for two weddings that last in 4 days. One of the most riches men of India, Shyam Bhatia chose Istanbul to marry his son. The wedding was organized in Ciragan Palace by the Bosphorus. A total of 400 thousand flowers brought to Istanbul from several cities of the world for the wedding. Celebrities of world jet-set came to Istanbul - 270 rooms were booked for guests. Sources said the wedding cost 1 million dollar.

The Marmara Esma Sultan is another trendy place in Istanbul for weddings. New couples that marry in the Marmara Esma Sultan are coming mostly from countries in Middle East that Turkey has similar cultural background as; Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Iran. Moreover, Greek families also come to Istanbul from Greece and USA to marry at patriarchate and give their party at the Marmara Esma Sultan. Couples that born abroad but have family members in Istanbul mostly choose here. 70% of those weddings' guests are coming from abroad.

The Marmara Esma Sultan hosts about 20 weddings for foreigners every year.

First Half of Istanbul Festivals End

222 thousand people followed festivals in the first half of festival season. 170 thousand people followed International Istanbul Film Festival that sponsored by Akbank.

On the other hand, sponsored by Borusan Holding, 20 thousand music lovers enjoyed music's of world-known musicians at International Istanbul Music Festival.

Moreover, 32 thousand jazz lovers followed 14th International Istanbul Jazz Festival organized by the sponsorship of Garanti Bank.

The 14th International Istanbul Jazz Festival, Jazz Festival ended with Norah Jones at the Open Air Theatre on August 1st.

Next festival season will start with 10th International Istanbul Biennale on September 8 and will continue until 4 November.

Later Filmekimi will be organized with the sponsorship of Nokia between 19-25 October.

Norah Jones was In Istanbul

Norah Jones was in Istanbul for the closing concert of 14th International Istanbul Jazz Festival, right after releasing her latest album "Not Too Late". Sponsored by Garanti Bank, Norah Jones gave an unforgettable concert on August 1st at Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre.

Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV), the International Istanbul Jazz Festival finally brought Grammy winner musician to Istanbul this year. The concert tickets sold out in a very short time after it came out. Around 4,500 music lovers watched her great performance.

Norah Jones, who played within the Ilhan Ersahin's Wax Poetic Group at first years of her career, performed at 7th International Istanbul Jazz Festival in 2000 with Wax Poetic.

Electronica Festival Istanbul Goes Global

Turkey's first and only dance festival; Electronica Festival Istanbul will be organized for the fourth time this year with partnership of Europe's biggest dance music festival “Global Gathering”.

To be organized by FG 93.7, Electronica Global Gathering Festival will be organized at Burc Beach 17-19 August.

Over 40 groups in two stages will perform and over 1,000 music lovers will camp in the beach and enjoy endless music for three days.

Music lovers have chance to follow kite-board championship workshops and enjoy swimming in the sea at those hot summer days.

An Intellectual Platform Opened In Istanbul

Istanbul's new culture, arts and education centre “santralistanbul” opened its doors. The new centre is a project led by Istanbul Bilgi University to convert the Silahtaraga Power Plant into a museum of contemporary arts.

Istanbul Bilgi University Rector Prof. Dr. Aydin Ugur made a speech at the opening ceremony. “Arts and artists have been paid attention to since the day Bilgi University was founded,” said Ugur. According to Ugur, “santralistanbul” is concrete proof of this commitment. He also emphasized that they faced many difficulties in achieving this project but were able to overcome them with the support of individuals and corporations. Ugur thanked Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hilmi Güler, Justice and Development Party's (AKP) Istanbul deputy Egmen Bagis, President of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Kadir Topbas, Ministry Advisor Prof. Dr. Nabi Avci and Eyüp Mayor Ahmet Genç.

Erdogan attended the opening ceremony and spoke in praise of the new centre, saying that it will be "one of the important spots for the 2010 European Culture Center Istanbul,”. He added that Istanbul is in need of such venues in order to become a more prominent city.

Located in the Eyüp district of Istanbul, the Silahtaraga Power Plant was built in 1911 as the first electricity powerhouse of the Ottoman Empire and closed down in 1983. The Santralistanbul project aims to protect the building as well as the broader neighbourhood. All parts of the new centre will be open on September 8.

Three eagerly anticipated exhibitions are in store at "santralistanbul." The first collection, "Contemporary Perspectives," comes from Paris' Pompidou Museum. Pieces from Germany's Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie Karlsruhe (ZKM) make up “Touch Me Istanbul.” Finally, Spain's Castile and León Museum of Contemporary Art (MUSAC) will provide “An Interpersonal Journey,” a series of video installations.

“Santralistanbul will be one of the most important spots as an intellectual platform that combines arts and education in the world,” said Ugur.

Malaysia Airports-GMR – Limak Win Istanbul Airport Tender

A consortium of Malaysia Airports Holdings, India's GMR Infrastructure and Turkey's Limak won the rights to Istanbul's second airport on July 9 with a 1.9 billion-euro bid.

The winning bid -- which does not include 18 percent value added tax -- beat offers from four other consortiums of foreign and local players in a tender lasting more than 12 hours.

The consortium will build a new international terminal at the Sabiha Gokcen airport on Istanbul's Asian side and run the airport for 20 years. Sources said that the design of the project is previously announced to tender participants. It will expand annual capacity by 10 million passengers which is currently 3.5 million.

" Istanbul needed a second airport and we will serve that need,'' said Limak's Nihat Ozdemir.

Sabiha Gokcen opened in 2001 and hosts domestic Turkish flights and low-cost airlines.

The other bidders were:

* Germany's Fraport, Turkey's IC Construction

* Turkey's Cukurova, Austria's Julius Meinl Investment, Venice Airport/Save SpA

* Turkey's Mak-Yol Construction, Eti Bakir, U.S-based Airport Property Management

Istanbul's Bomonti Beer Factory To Be A Tourism Complex

IC Group revealed their plans for future of Bomonti Bear Factory, which has been sold at a tender for YTL60.2 million. IC Group will open a new hotel, residence and 3,500 pax conference centre.

The tourism complex will preserve the factory building that is known as being the oldest beer factory in Turkey, established in 1890 by the Bomonti brothers of Switzerland.

A famous Turkish architecture who is responsible with the project said that the residences will be the most luxurious of Istanbul. The residence building will be about 40-45 floors and residences on 15th floor will have garden and residences on 25th floor will have private swimming pools.

The project will cost about US$170 million.

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Divan To Open 3rd Hotel In Istanbul

Divan, a company of Koc Holding's Tourism Group, continues its growth strategy by opening its third hotel "Divan Istanbul Asia" in 2008, which will be one of the biggest hotels in Istanbul's Anatolian side.

Divan's Director General Joep Bakx and Murat Sahsuvaroglu inaugurated the project with a signing ceremony held in Istanbul on Thursday, July 12. Bakx said that they aimed to bring a real "business class" understanding to Istanbul's Anatolian side with the new hotel project.

Located in the connection point of E-5 highway and Sabiha Gökçen Airport, Divan Istanbul Asia will fulfil the needs of growing businesses around Pendik-Kaynarca districts of Istanbul. The hotel is 20 kilometres from the industrial area of Gebze and 17 kilometres from the industrial area of Tuzla. To be built on 40,000 square meters, Divan Istanbul Asia will be a 23-storey building with 280 rooms and 6 multipurpose convention halls.

Murat Sahsuvaroglu (left), Sahsuvaroglu Group CEO said that he had been looking for a partner for a while in order to step into tourism sector. “We talked to many leading names in the sector but our group being a part of Koç Holding, we chose Divan as our partner,” said Sahsuvaroglu.

“Divan will only operate the hotel. We are not responsible for the financial duties. The duration of our agreement with Sahsuvaroglu is 15 years,” Bakx announced.

"As Divan, we are planning to open 21 more hotels before 2012, and realize 58 hotels till the end of 2017," Bakx said. Bakx added that they are eager to operate two hotels in Istanbul's Anatolian side.

Bakx also stressed that they are eager to concentrate their activities on business centres in southern city of Adana and central Anatolian city of Eskisehir in Turkey, as well as in foreign countries such as Germany, Kazakhstan, Russia and the Middle East.

Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia To Open In August

One of world's largest chain hotels; Marriott International is opening Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia in August. Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia will live up the Kozyatagi area, after opening the first international 5-star hotel in Istanbul's Anatolian side.

Marriott International organized a luncheon on July 27 to present the hotel. Speaking at the luncheon, General Manager Elmar Derkitsch said, Marriott International will open its first hotel in Istanbul and Turkey in August.

Derkitsch who made his speech in Turkish said that Marriott International was previously in Istanbul with Ritz Carlton and Renaissance brands. Both sister hotels helped them during the past months. “Now we are in three locations in Istanbul, one near airport, one in city center, and one in Istanbul's Anatolian side,” added Derkitsch.

Istanbul Marriott Hotel Asia has a total of 238 rooms, 2 ball rooms, and 8 meeting rooms. The largest ball room has a capacity of 700 people. The hotel also has a fitness and SPA club with 2 outdoor and 1 indoor swimming pool.

The hotel has 500 cars capacity garage.

Istanbul’s First Medical Hotel Opened

ByOtell made its soft-opening at Istanbul's Anatolian side. Opened by By Group, it is the first hotel complex that comprises ByOtell and ByOmed Health Center.

Moreover, guests will enjoy healthy food by Dr. Ender Saraç at his restaurant which will open in August.

Beside the medical facilities, the complex is also perfect for business meetings. The complex has 16 meeting and convention halls and a ballroom, all equipped with latest available technology.

ByOtell and ByOmed will contribute to boost Istanbul's fame with facilities and service in health tourism.

Award Wining Chef of Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul Will Represent Turkey In Germany

Dervis Sarioglu has come in first place at National Young Chef Competition of “Chaine des Rotisseurs” - the international gastronomic society after 4 months of study. The competition, where chefs had to use 16 ingredients from 67 ingredients given in a black box, took 4,5 hours. Chefs presented their art by preparing an appetizer, main course, and desert for four person.