Istanbul Bulletin

Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul was voted The Best Hotel in Europe for the period April 2008 - April 2009 by passengers of JALPAK, Japan's most prestigious travel agency.

Being Japan's travel agency specialized in overseas travel, JALPAK has 32 offices in 36 cities of 17 countries. JALPAK, having almost 1,000 clients throughout the world, has elected Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul as Europe's best hotel.

Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul offers accommodation opportunities by its 600 guest rooms and suites with a comfort ranging from a standard room to a magnificent Presidential Suite. Amrita Spa & Wellness, providing service within the hotel and proving that it is one of the best spa centres of the world through its "Leading Spas" certificate, is very rich with its treatment options and possibilities by its indoor-outdoor swimming-pool, 14 treatment rooms and modern fitness centre. The hotel's 28 multi-functional meeting rooms, ensure a comfortable atmosphere to the business world. Ten selective restaurants and bars appealing to various tastes, offer their guests delicious selections of international cuisines.

Turkish Airlines, announced sponsorship agreement with Britain's Manchester United Football Club.

The Turkish Airlines (THY), the sixth biggest air carrier in Europe, said an official ceremony would be held in the coming days at the Old Trafford Stadium.

The three-and-a-half-year agreement gives THY the official sponsor title to have the right to use billboards inside the Old Trafford Stadium during matches as well as on the internet.

THY will be able to organize promotion activities, featuring team members in commercial films, and air TV spots on Manchester United's television channel.

The Turkish airline company will also carry United's team members to tournaments and training camps outside Britain.

Turkish Airlines has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona football club in a ceremony in Barcelona.

Dr. Temel Kotil, the CEO of Turkish Airlines, the Europe's fourth-biggest carrier by passengers and Mr. Joan Laporta, the Chairman of Barcelona, the legendary football club of the world, have together signed the contract during the ceremony.

On the way towards becoming a global brand Turkish Airlines, one of the fastest growing carriers in the world, has achieved another worldwide success with this sponsorship deal.

According to the terms of this sponsorship contract, all the advertising materials and logos of Turkish Airlines will be displayed on the internal screens of the Nou Camp Stadium in Barcelona and all other locations of the team, Turkish Airlines will make commercial films with the players of the Barcelona Club and carry out the promotion of this sponsorship deal in all the arenas of advertising and mass media. As the result of this sponsorship Turkish Airlines will transport the players of Barcelona to all the tournaments and training camps as well.

With title of "the official sponsor" Turkish Airlines will also have the title of "the 3rd international official sponsor" of Barcelona, the football giant made history by winning 6 trophies in one single season (2008-2009), outside Spain.

The Board Members of Turkish Airlines, Mr. Orhan Birdal and Mr. Mehmet Buyukeksi, the Inspector Board Members of Turkish Airlines, Mr. Naci Agbal and Mr. Ismail Gercek have attended ceremony along with the players of Barcelona football club and more than 100 media members from Spain, Turkey and the countries that Turkish Airlines operates.

Turkish Airlines announced that the carrier signed code-share agreement with Spanair.

The codeshare agreement enables Turkish Airlines to use its code "TK" on domestic flights operated by Spanair. Reciprocally, on Turkish Airlines' flights to Barcelona, Madrid and Ankara, Spanair will be able to put its code "JK". The codeshare flights will begin as of 1st February 2010.

Mr. Temel Kotil Ph.D, Turkish Airlines' Chief Executive and Member of Board, said: "We are extremely delighted to finalize the code-share agreement with Spanair. Accelerated with the synergy within Star Alliance cooperation, Turkish Airlines and Spanair has now reached a new phase of deeper and integrated business model. On the other hand, this code-share partnership is an illustration of Turkish Airlines' every effort to maximize the opportunities offered to passengers by enabling them to enjoy extensive networks of both airlines."

Domestic passengers in Spain will now be able to connect Turkish Airlines' network of 119 international and 37 domestic routes including destinations to Turkey, Europe, North America, South America, Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East.

Michael Balint Szücs, the CEO of Spanair has said "The launch of our strategic cooperation with Turkish Airlines follows our commitment towards to our clients to offer more connections from Spain to the World, ensuring a high standard of quality of service.

Turkish Airlines has currently 22 codeshare agreements with Air China, Air India, Croatia Airlines, Egypt Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Pakistan Int'l Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Sun Express, TAP Portugal, Austrian Airlines, United Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Syrian Arab Airlines, ANA All Nippon, Air Malta, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines B&H Airlines, Etihad Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Spanair.

Turkish Airlines marked the tenth anniversary of its first flight from Istanbul to Shanghai with a gala celebration at the Shanghai Radisson New World Hotel.

Since its inaugural flight in 2000, Turkish Airlines' Shanghai operation has expanded dramatically, with ambitious plans for future development. The airlines' development in Shanghai has mirrored the strong economic growth and expanding bilateral trade between Turkey and China and the increasing importance of Shanghai and Istanbul as hubs of commerce and culture.

When Turkish Airlines began its service to Shanghai, the company offered three weekly a week from Istanbul via Beijing. Today, it offers five direct flights weekly from Istanbul to Shanghai and is to expand its flights to China in the near future.

Gayret Yuksel, the director of the Turkish Airlines Shanghai office, expressed his enthusiasm about Turkish Airline's progress in Shanghai, and its prospects for further growth in the city.

"For the past decade, Turkish Airlines has provided an integral link between these two great cities. We aim to strengthen this link by providing more frequency and options as well as specially-tailored services for Chinese travellers going to Istanbul, and onward to Europe, Africa and the Middle East," said Yuksel.

Since the opening of a direct service between Istanbul and Shanghai in July 2009, more than 28,000 passengers have flown with Turkish Airlines from Pudong International Airport, and more than 1.6 million kilograms of cargo have been shipped. Flight capacity had increased by a third, and the airline reports that despite the economic downturn its average load factor was a 78%. With Expo 2010 in Shanghai the airline expects this trend to continue.

The Turkish ambassador to China, His Excellency Murat Salim Esenli, and the district governor of Jingan District, Lu Xiaodong, also presided over the ceremony and presented speeches of congratulations.
Source: China Hospitality News