Istanbul Bulletin

Barceló Group which has been operating in Bodrum with Barceló Hotel Ora Holiday and Barceló Hotel Rexene, is now in Istanbul with the

Premium –top quality- class hotel. At the press conference held in Istanbul, General Manager of Barceló Eresin Topkapi Hotel Enrique Acrich stated that they were planning to open 5 more hotels in Turkey within 2 years with a budget of €75 million.

The First Turkish-German Economy Congress held in Istanbul between May 4th and 6th. Kemal Sahin, the Chairman of Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry stated that the congress was held in cooperation among Turkish-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and German-Turkish Chamber of Commerce functioning in Turkey.

Sahin said, ''This congress is a big opportunity for foreign capital inflow. We will create partnership opportunities and promote Turkey.''

Turkish businessmen who are willing to undertake projects in Europe briefed on investment opportunities in Germany, On the other hand, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the congress.

The congress was attended by about 1,200 Turkish and German businessmen, Ministers, representatives of big companies and non-governmental organizations from Turkey and Germany discussed economic developments, problems and how to solve them.

World-famous U.S. tennis player Venus Williams played tennis with Turkish national tennis player Ipek Senoglu on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul. The show was performed on the Bosphorus Bridge, connecting Asia with Europe, on May 15 th between 7.00 and 7.45am.

Williams participated in the 2005 WTA Istanbul Cup Tennis Tournament which was hosted by the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotel. The match took place at the Crowne Plaza courts. Williams said after the show that it was amazing to play tennis at the same time on the two continents. Williams also stated that Istanbul is one of the best cities she has ever traveled to or visited.

Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International which is the largest hotel chain of Turkey , introduced the prestigious world of Dedeman Loyal Club.

With the Loyal Club Programme, guests will receive special awards with their points. With the points earned, guests may stay free in Dedeman Hotels, rent a car, earn plane tickets or choose any other reward from the catalogue.

Dedeman Loyal Club Card owners will also enjoy privileges discounts at 15 hotels of Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International such as reservation priority, room upgrade, late check out and special.

With the Loyal Club Programme that started in May 2005 Dedeman Loyal Club Card owners will earn 10 points for every 1 YTL spent in Dedeman Hotels.

To join and receive your Dedeman Loyal Club Card you can simply fill the application form at all Dedeman hotels. For more information and latest news from Dedeman Loyal Club Programme you can visit www.dedemanloyalclub.com.

Congresses held in Istanbul starting from the International Advisory Council meeting brought almost 10 thousand guests and 15-20 million euro income.

Congresses such as; Asian Development Bank Congress, Forum Istanbul, Turkish – German Businessmen Congress, Turk – Arap Business Forum were held in Istanbul's 5-star hotels as Conrad Istanbul, Swissotel - The Bosphorus, Grand Cevahir.

"Hidrellez", which is one of the seasonal festivals of Istanbul celebrated on May 5th.

Kalyon Hotel which is the one of the old town classic hotel in Istanbul also supported the festival.

Hidrellez Festival, that is still celebrated with grand ceremonies in Anatolia, has been celebrated since ancient times. Although it is celebrated under different names and in different times, it is possible to see the motifs of Hidrellez in many places. The arrival of spring and awakening of nature have been perceived man as a phenomenon to be celebrated. In fact, Hidrellez, as a spring festival, has a universal character.

"The Hidrellez at Ahirkapi" activities begin on Ahirkapi Street and spread to the adjacent streets. All the traditional spring foods and drinks -both the traditional ones and the brewery- are sold through the street-buffets, while the local musicians perform Turkish, Roman and Balkan music.

The Ahirkapi Great Roman Orchestra which is consisting of the neighboring musician groups of Ahirkapi community performs street concerts along with the guest performers... Küçük Hasan from Lüleburgaz a zurna genius and the drum master Tamer Kum and his group come every year.

Towards midnight the traditional fires will be jumped over and the wishes will be attached on the traditional Nahil´s. Nahil is a symbolic "wish-tree" and an ornament from Ottoman culture. The ones at the Ahirkapi Street were first designed and used during an "Earth Day" celebration on April 22, 2002 . Since then they are being used as the "wish tree" of the Hidrellez spring festivals which is organized by the civic community and supported by local Eminönü Municipality.

Polat Renaissance Istanbul and Erzurum Hotels which are a member of Marriott International Hotels Group received awards after a successful year of 2004. Ibrahim Polat Holding Tourism Division President and General Manager Mr. Serdar Alp Turan commented that they have passed a successful year in 2004 with their Polat Renaissance Istanbul and Erzurum Hotels. Mr. Turan stated that they have reached a better performance in 2005 and increased their average occupancy level above the 2004 level.

Mr. Turan received “Leadership Excellence 2004” award at the same time Polat Renaissance Istanbul was awarded within the categories of “Most Improved Problem Experience”, “Most Improved Overall Satisfaction” by Marriott International Group. Polat Renaissance Erzurum Hotel was also awarded in “Customer Excellence”, “Customer Excellence Problem Experience” categories.

Mr. Turan stated that they have increased their market share in Turkish tourism from 12% to 18% and Polat Renaissance would increase its market pie in coming years.

Swissotel The Bosphorus and its exceptional Bosphorus view offer its guests a great summer in Istanbul with delicious dishes of modern global cuisine.

Delicious dishes by expert chefs, accompanied by Indian dancers and musicians, are being prepared for the Indian Food Festival, June 4-12 at Café Suisse Restaurant inside the Swissotel The Bosphorus.

Swissôtel's swimming pool will be at your service with its superb location surrounded by greenery and offering an exceptional Bosphorus view. You can enjoy the finest examples of Mediterranean cuisine at Oasis Restaurant. With its special Barbecue Buffet at weekends between 12.00-15.00 and everyday enticing menus until 17.00, Oasis Restaurant is waiting to add flavor to your poolside fun.

Situated on Swissôtel's 16th floor, Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar charms guests not just with its amazing Bosphorus view, but also with its exotic menu and cocktails.

Façonnable - Swissôtel Father's Day Doubles Tennis Tournament will take place between 13-19 June in Fathers and Sons / Fathers and Daughters categories. The participants of the Tennis Tournament will have 20 % family discount for the Father's Day Brunch at Café Suisse Restaurant on 19th June, Sunday.

Daily entrance is free for children aged 0-6, and there is a 50% reduced rate for children aged 6-12. For further information about the swimming pool, please call (212) 326 1100, ext. 3304, and to make a reservation at Oasis Restaurant & Bar and Roof Garden Restaurant & Bar, please call for ext. 3305.

For detailed information and registration to Façonnable - Swissôtel Father's Day Doubles Tennis Tournament, please call (212) 326 1100 ext. 1098 or 1082.

Teamcon which is a PCO founded by five select travel management companies in Turkey of similar philosophy, organizes International Public Relations Association Congress (IPRA) at Istanbul Hilton Convention & Exhibition Center. National and international communication experts, academicians, representatives of private sector will attend the congress. Between 25-28 June, Istanbul will the bridge of building multinational communication.

“With the theme: Communication: The Sustainable Path to Trust, the conference provides an excellent opportunity to learn what American corporations, organizations and governments must do to build and maintain international trust” said Melvin L. Sharpe, coordinator of U.S. IPRA Membership.

As a part of the congress organization, new and former IPRA directors will walk from Europe to Asia on the Bosphorus Bridge. 70 percent of the attendees are expected to be international guests and 30 percent to be from Turkey . IPRA World Congress will bring a maximum of 1000 communication experts to Istanbul.

Charles van der Straten Waillet, President of IPRA said “Few places in the world can claim more symbolic reasons for hosting such a Congress than Istanbul. We will be at one of the world's most important crossroads both of continents and cultures. We will be in a metropolis of architectural masterpieces past and present where trade is conducted in the bazaar and the shopping mall and where discussions reflect a long and rich historical past. Istanbul is a city so cosmopolitan, that it makes everyone feel at home.”

Turkish Airlines earnings reached US$79.5 million in 2004 excluding taxes. Turkish Airlines, the occupancy rate exceeded 70 percent for the first time, with domestic flight occupancy increasing 16.2 percent to 5.8 million passenger and international flight occupancy increasing 14.7 percent, reaching 5.6 million.

Turkish Airlines was able to increase its earnings despite 2004 being an expensive year for airlines.

Turkish Airlines established in 1933 by the architecture of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, celebrated it 72nd year on May 20th in Taksim Square, Istanbul. Turkish Airlines began its operations with five planes of each has 28-seat capacity.