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Istanbul's New Target Olympic Games
Turkey, which has previously realized huge international organizations such as the Eurovision Song Contest, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, the Champions League Final, Summer Universiade, and Formula One Grand Prix, now targets to be the host country for Olympic Games.
 The Formula One organization, in which Kimi Raikonnen came first, was found to be “very successful” in terms of both the track and the organization. One of the organizers of the Formula One, Chairman of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Murat Yalcintas said the world's second biggest sports organization was completed with great success as he added, “Now, we should hold the world's largest sporting event, the Olympic Games”. Istanbul's Governor Muammer Guler ranked Istanbul's targets as follows: to be Europe's capital of culture by 2010 and to host the International Olympic Games.
 The head of the FIA Press Center noted that 600 reporters published their news agreeing that the organization was one of the best Grand Prix organizations held this year. “Turkey has managed to realize a massive organization, the second biggest sporting organization in the world. Now, we should realize the biggest one, the Olympic Games. We should implement the formula making us successful in the Olympic Games organization as well…What is that formula? We attained this success by uniting our hands as the private sector, local administrators and central administration. Now, we should work for the Olympics,” Yalcintas explained.
Yalcintas added that a further five international races will be held at Istanbul Park before the end of 2005.
“The Formula 1 track is perfect in terms of its location. As Formula 1 President Bernie Ecclestone told (Turkish) Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it is ‘a perfect environment, a perfect track'. We shall make it even better, “ he continued.
“Hosting the Formula 1 is a significant point in terms of our goal to make Istanbul a prominent finance, commerce, tourism, and congress center. We will start to work to host the International Olympic Games from now on,” Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Kadir Topbas said. Topbas added that they would host the Moto GP at Istanbul Park between September 21 and 23, 2005.
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Istanbul 7th Most Visited City
As a result of the activities promoting Turkey conducted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Istanbul has risen to the 3rd place in the list of top 10 destinations of Europe and the 7th place in the world.
 According to a written statement made by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Istanbul has reached 7th place after New York in the top 10 list of travel destinations in the world selected by Travel and Leisure magazine published in US. Istanbul was also 3rd place in the top ten European destinations in the same magazine.
On the other hand, Istanbul Four Seasons Hotel is in 2nd place and Istanbul Ciragan Palace Kempinski are at 7th place in top ten European hotels list.
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The European Youth Was In Istanbul
Turkey's largest open air music festival; The Rock'n Coke Istanbul Festival draw all music lovers of Turkey and Europe to Istanbul.
The Cure, one of the most significant bands of the last 25 years, The Offspring, the most talked about punk-rock band and Korn, one of the greatest contemporary rock bands took stage in Istanbul on the 3rd and 4th of September for the Rock'n Coke Festival.
 Organised by Coca-Cola Turkey in cooperation with Pozitif and IKSV (Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation), the Rock'n Coke Istanbul Festival hosted nearly 50 thousand people from Turkey and overseas.
The Rock'n Coke team, aiming to put Turkey on the world atlas of festivals, invited the European youth to Turkey within the program of the Soundwave festivals tour covering all European countries. Rock'n Coke Istanbul, the last stop-over of the Soundwave festivals tour was promoted on Coca-Cola bottles reaching millions of households, on posters, billboards and Internet sites.
This year, Rock'n Coke hosted the “Life +” Youth Fund, developed by Coca-Cola Turkey and The United Nations Development Program and implemented by Youth for Habitat Association. With the 1.5 million dollar fund, nearly 100 youth projects will be supported over a period of five years.
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Finns' Victory In Istanbul
Finnish Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen of McLaren-Mercedes and Finnish GP2 driver Heikki Kovalainen of Arden International were ranked first at Istanbul Park on August 21.
Before the Formula 1 race started, Turkish driver Jason Tahincioglu made a show on the circuit with the F1 vehicle of the Jordan Team. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan personally wished good luck to Renault's driver Fernando Alonso and McLaren Mercedes' driver Kimi Raikkonen. Turkish diva Sertab Erener sang the Turkish National Anthem before the start of races on Sunday.
Seven-time champion Michael Schumacher, who started 19th on the 20-car grid, went off the track after 16 laps following a minor collision with Mark Webber of Williams-BMW. He sat out 19 laps but returned to the track and ran about 15 laps more before retiring again.
Istanbul hosted top executives of Formula Teams and their top executives and celebrities. Mike Tyson, Bo Derek and Ursula Andress are some of the celebrities who came to Istanbul to watch the Formula 1. Top executives of world's most important car manufacturers were also hosted in Istanbul and several venues held for them at Istanbul Hotels. A gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan organized at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski. "This event will make a big contribution to this country and for the economy," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said. On August 20, Istanbul 's new boutique hotel by the Bosphorus; Ajia Hotel organized a special party to welcome CEOs and top executives to Istanbul.
Foreign race lovers that came to Turkey with tickets conducted their passport transactions without getting a visa. Formula 1 Istanbul Grand Prix is broadcasted by 202 TV channels and watched by about 2.5 billion people.
Sunday's race at the $70 million Istanbul Park could eventually translate into $3 billion in additional revenues for an already booming tourism sector, industry representatives say.
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Istanbul & Seoul Municipalities Sign Cooperation Agreement
Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Kadir Topbas and Seoul Mayor Lee Myung Bak signed a cultural and technical cooperation agreement between the municipalities of the two cities, on August 24th.
Meanwhile, Seoul Mayor Bak said that the cooperation between the two cities will be reinforced in every area through this agreement.
In line with the agreement, Istanbul and Seoul Municipalities will exchange information and experience in railway systems, public transportation, city planning, tourism, infrastructure and protection of the environment.
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Hearth of World Fashion To Beat In Istanbul
Giant ready-to-wear brands in the world will be brought together in "Bread & Butter Bosphorus Fair" to be held in 2006-Istanbul by famous fair organizer Karl-Heinz Mueller.
 Istanbul Textile and Apparel Exporters' Association (IHKIB) Executive Board President Suleyman Orakcioglu said, "Bread & Butter is not a classical fair in which products are sold. It is an organization in which fashion trends are set."
Orakcioglu said, "we have agreed in principle with Bread & Butter President Karl-Heinz Mueller, who was in Istanbul to watch Formula 1 race, to organize the 'Bread & Butter Bosphorus Fair' in Istanbul in 2006."
"We are planning a world fashion festival, world fashion awards, and a series of activities in which five or six brands are promoted in 20 or 25 different places on the Bosphorus. And, we will organize these activities in historical places. Therefore, we took Mueller to the Maiden's Tower, (historical) Kabatas High School and Ciragan Palace," said Orakcioglu.
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New HIP Hotel In Istanbul
Former president of Turkey's Touristic Hotels & Investors Association Ali Güreli is going to open a new Highly Individual Place – HIP hotel in Nisantasi , Istanbul.
Number of HIP hotel openings increases in Istanbul. The Sofa Hotel, which will be opened in September at the fashion district of Istanbul, will offer its customers with the objective of “have good residences in a good environment”. The hotel will have 82 rooms and rooms will be sold around 160-200 Euros.
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Picasso Exhibition To Open In Istanbul
Famous painter Pablo Picasso's grandson; Bernard Picasso was in Istanbul to announce Picasso Exhibition to be held in Istanbul. A unique dinner at Atli Kosk was organized with the participation of Bernard Picasso as the honorary guest of Sabanci Holding.
135 works of world-famous painter Pablo Picasso will be exhibited in Turkish metropolis of Istanbul between November 21st, 2005 and March 26th, 2006 at Sabanci University 's Sakip Sabanci Museum .
Sabanci Holding CEO Ms. Guler Sabanci recited that Sakip Sabanci said, ''Build me such a museum that Picassos will be exhibited there.'' Therefore, this exhibition means that Mr. Sabanci's dream will finally come true and that the Sabanci Museum attained world standards.
Picasso's correspondences and photographs will be displayed while documentary films will be shown and conferences will be held during the exhibition.
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Eti Illuminated Istanbul Fortresses
Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry illuminated Istanbul 's Anatolian and Rumeli Fortresses with the support of Eti Group, one of the largest food industry group in Turkey.
 Eti organized a celebration party at the Bosphorus. During the party special light and laser shows and musical performances organized.
Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Atilla Koc has also participated the event and stated the importance of historical and cultural heritage to a city. Koc added that they need support from private sector in protection of cultural and historical heritage. Koc thanked Eti Group for their protective and promotional support.
Anatolian Fortress was built in the period of Beyazit I to control sea transport of Byzantium (end of l4th century). Mehmet II had built Rumeli Fortress on the opposite shore. These two fortresses had built to stop the aids coming to Byzantinium from the Black Sea.
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Istanbul on The Australian Media
The 'Canberra Times' of Australia has published a news story on Istanbul, praising the city's historical and natural beauties, said Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism officials.
The news story in the 'Canberra Times' talked about the hospitality of the Turkish people and included a picture of the world famous Covered Bazaar on the front page.
Stuart Howie, the correspondent who wrote the story, refers to Istanbul as the point where civilizations meet and intermingle. The character of Turkish people will help Turkey in its bid to join the European Union, said Howie. " Istanbul is living its golden age after Ataturk. It is a dynamic city with its mosques, palaces and monuments," told Howie.
Meanwhile, 'Le Soir' daily of Belgium published an article on Turkey, with the heading "The sun shines at Turkish beaches." Le Soir indicated that, by the end of 2005, 20 million foreign tourists would have visited Turkey.
Le Soir wrote that, aside from sun, beaches, Turkey offers cultural and sports options to tourists.
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Newsweek: Cool Istanbul
August 29 th issue of Newsweek International highlighted Istanbul as a cool city from its cover page. Owen Matthews and Rana Foroohar from Newsweek International said:
 “Spend a summer night strolling down Istanbul's Istiklal Caddesi, the pedestrian thoroughfare in the city's old Christian quarter of Beyoglu, and you'll hear something surprising. Amid the crowds of nocturnal revelers, a young Uzbek-looking girl plays haunting songs from Central Asia on an ancient Turkic flute called a saz . Nearby, bluesy Greek rembetiko blares from a CD store. Downhill toward the slums of Tarlabasi you hear the wild Balkan rhythms of a Gypsy wedding, while at 360, an ultratrendy rooftop restaurant, the sound is Sufi electronica—cutting-edge beats laced with dervish ritual. And then there are the clubs—Mojo, say, or Babylon—where the young and beautiful rise spontaneously from their tables to link arms and perform a complicated Black Sea line dance, the horon . The wonder is that each and every one of these styles is absolutely native to the city, which for much of its history was the capital of half the known world….”
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Dogan Holding Wins Istanbul Hilton Tender
Turkish business tycoon Aydin Dogan who is the owner of Ortadogu Automotive, has won the Istanbul Hilton Hotel's privatization tender offering the highest bid at US$255,5 million.
 Eight companies participated in the tender, which was held under the Presidency of Turkish Privatization Administration.
Zorlu Holding and Ortadogu Automotive competed for the tender after the withdrawal of other companies.
Ortadogu Automotive won the tender by increasing its offer to $255.5 million.
After the auction Dogan Holding CEO Tufan Darbaz said that they would pay the amount in cash. The Hilton Company's contract for the hotel administration will continue until the end of 2015.
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Moto GP To Be Held In Istanbul
The contract for holding a leg of the World Motorcycling Championship (Moto GP) at the IstanbulPark circuit, the venue of last month's Turkish Grand Prix, was signed in Istanbul.
 The Turkey Grand Prix of Moto GP will be held at IstanbulPark Circuit on October 23rd.
“In recent years, Turkey has made great gains in terms of sporting facilities. Istanbul Park is one of those gains. This year's Moto GP leg, the 16th of the 17-leg championship, will take place on Sunday Oct. 23. Under the contract Turkey will continue to host a leg in each of the following 6 years." said Turkish State Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin who signed the contract.
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Congress of International Seed Federation 2011
To Be Held In Istanbul
The International Seed Federation ( ISF ), which is a non-governmental, non-profit organization representing the seed industry, organizes annual  congress with a participation of 1500 members and delegates. Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) is pleased to announce that during the 2005 ISF Congress that is held in Santiago , Chile between May 29th and June 1st, ISF designated Istanbul as the host country to its 2011 Annual Congress.
2011 Congress of International Seed Federation will be held in Istanbul with about 1500 participants between 21st and 25th May 2011 .
The annual congress that will be held in other city and countries are as follows ;
2006 Copenhagen, 2007, New Zealand, 2008 Czech Republic, 2009 China.
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Biggest Informatics Fair In Eurasia Opened
The biggest information and communication technologies fair in Eurasia, CeBIT Bilisim (Informatics) Eurasia is welcoming visitors at the Beylikdüzü Tüyap Fair and Congress Centre in Istanbul between September 6 th and 11 th of 2005.
 Organised by HIF A.S (Hannover Fairs Interpro Uluslararasi Fuarcilik A.S), a joint venture by Deutsche Messe AG (DMAG) and Interpro, CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia accommodates nearly 900 brands from 17 countries. CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia has three main sections such as business world, digital life and telecommunication. The fair is expected to host 160,000 visitors from 60 countries.
CeBIT, ranked eighth among the top 10 fairs in the world last year, brings together indispensable factors of global competition. The event will display corporate solutions, embedded technologies that contribute added value to products and business development ideas for enterprises on every scale.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke during the opening ceremony and said that developments in the industry are a top priority for the country. The government has allocated special budgets and implemented policies with the aim of changing Turkey's position as an IT consumer to an IT producer.
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