Istanbul Bulletin

Having been present at the sector for 17 years as a Dedeman corporation, Decar Rent a Car became a member of ICVB.

The company has become one of the important companies of the sector by improving its service quality consistently from the date of its establishment with its superior services, dynamic structure, and corporate principles.

Decar has always attached the highest importance to satisfaction of its customers, managed to be a friend of its customers without sacrificing its corporate values, and pioneered long-term business cooperations and many original practices at the sector.

As a rent a car company with its extensive network of offices throughout Turkey, Decar also renders air ticketing services for domestic and foreign flights as a travel agency having a certificate of Group A in addition to daily, monthly, and annual renting services, transfer services, services with drivers, and luxury vehicle renting services by means of of its extensive and large fleet of vehicles.

Dedeman Holding organized a reception at Hotel Dedeman Ankara to celebrate its 40th year in hospitality industry. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, Minister of Justice Cemil Çiçek and many deputies attended the 40th year celebrations.

Speaking at the reception, Mr. Abdullah Gül (middle) stated that Dedeman Hotels had great contribution to Turkish tourism industry with its 40 years of service and hotels in Turkey and abroad.

CEO of Dedeman; Murat Dedeman (right) said that they were planning to bring Dedeman brand to higher levels in the coming years. Dedeman stated their target as 50 hotels in their 50 th anniversary.

Currently Dedeman has a total of 16 properties; 13 properties in Turkey and 3 properties abroad. Currently Dedeman operates with 3.162 rooms and 7.227 bed capacity in hospitality.

Hilton Istanbul did the opening of its summer venue Veranda & Lalezar Terrace last month with Latin Food Festival. The festival took place between 9-17 th June at Veranda & Lalezar Terrace . Hilton Istanbul hosted its guests with the delicious Latin American food accompanying live Latin music & shows every day.

6th Festival of Wine – a glass of joy – organized at The Hyatt Regency Istanbul's Agora Café Restaurant with the sponsorship of Kavaklidere wines. The 6th Wine Festival highlighted Spanish wines and cuisine between 7 and 10 June.

More than 50 wines from eight countries can be enjoyed at the festival, for which two chefs from the Hyatt Regency La Manga Club in Murcia, Spain, prepared a special buffet that features Spanish delicacies. Wine lovers had the opportunity to sample the fare accompanied by wine.

Adile Sultan Palace opened on June 28, 2006 by the host company of UKTAS which is the management company of Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).

Guests welcomed with classical music and drank their cocktails with the sounds of jazz music. Guests danced throughout the night in front of the magnificent view of Bosphorus from Kandilli ridge accompanied by the music of Istanbul's popular band; ‘Istanbul Gelisim'.

President of Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) Basaran Ulusoy gave information about the new venue. The Adile Sultan Palace has an actual area of 5625 square meters. The new venue of Istanbul accommodates a meeting / banqueting hall for 500 people, a meeting hall for 200 people, a 1300 square meters hall for cocktails and exhibitions, 20 seminar rooms, a museum, a dining hall for 150 people and a cafeteria for 60 people.

Basaran Ulusoy, who is also the deputy director of historical venue management company UKTAS's executive board, said they are happy to have regained such a valuable, historical venue and added that they will preserve this valuable artifact in line with its physical and spiritual value as we open it for social and cultural activities and congresses.

Adile Sultan Palace will be managed by UKTAS International Congress Facilities Management which also operates Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).

Located at one of the most glorious place of Bosphorus in Kandilli, Adile Sultan Palace was built in 1876 by Sultan Abdulmecit for his sister. The architect of the palace was Sarkis Balyan who was also worked for Ciragan Palace.

Adile Sultan Palace who was used as Kandilli Kiz Lisesi (Women's College) after the death of Adile Sultan underwent a fire in 1986.

The sixth AIREX Civil Aviation and Airport Fair, which is the single civil only aviation show in Eurasia, took place at Istanbul Atatürk Airport between 8 and 11 June. Organized with the support of the Turkish Transportation Ministry and the sponsorship of Turkish Airlines, AIREX hosted exhibitors representing the complete scope of the aviation Industry including several aircraft manufacturers, (e.g. Airbus, Boeing) and manufacturers of various airport equipments.

Through the last decade, the Region, covering the Balkans, the Middle East, CIS countries and the Turkish Republics of Central Asia, has faced an era of total restructuring, in view of emerging political, economical and social formations. In parallel to these developments, the accumulated needs and those emerging created a tremendous growth potential in Civil Aviation and Airport Industries in the Region. The recent developments in the Region prove that performing in these emerging markets that are among the fastest growing Aviation and Airport markets in the World will contribute significantly to the companies and the industry.

Sait Halim Pasha Mansion on the Bosphorus, the new prestigious location for MICE industry in Istanbul, celebrated first anniversary of service on Friday, June 9th with a magnificant night. The mansion, which was closed since 1995 fire, was opened after its operation has been turned over to Göçtur Tourism in 2004. Mustafa Göçen, CEO of Göçtur Tourism, hosted this special night attended by celebrities from business, fashion and media world.

Göçen said at the night, “We have reached end of the first year of service, hosted enchanting weddings and summons. Important names were hosted. Prime Minister and other ministers were attended several events here. We were like the headquarters of tourism world,”.

Göçen added that Göçen Tourism has three hotels and resorts with 2500 bed capacity in total within its portfolio. Göçen said with the addition of 2500 beds by 2008, their total bed capacity will be 5000.

Top

Turkish Airlines CEO Becomes
Member of IATA Board of Governors

Turkish Airlines (THY) President and Chief Executive Officer Temel Kotil has been elected member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Board of Governors.

The three-day annual general meeting of IATA in Paris ended on June 6th.

Following the meeting, Kotil said that this membership will play a significant role in promotion of the THY. Annual passenger capacity of the THY increased 20 percent in 2005. They expect that it will go up from 14 million to 18 million in 2006. Kotil added that A Turkish CEO was elected member of IATA Board of Governors for the first time.

Top

TAP Air Portugal and Turkish Airlines Ink Code-Sharing

TAP Air Portugal and Turkish Airlines announced that they have signed a code-sharing agreement on the Lisbon-Istanbul route, operated by the Turkish carrier.

From July 1, the Portuguese flag carrier will be able to place its code on the Turkish Airlines service to the Portuguese capital. Turkish Airlines flies three times a week to Lisbon .

TAP Air Portugal operates services to 46 destinations in 27 countries. Turkish Airlines flies to 103 airports outside Turkey and operates 28 domestic routes.

Top