MeeTurkey Alternative Tourism and Incentive Magazine

MEETURKEY February’2011 Year:16 No:63

Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Winter Tourism Centers of Anatolia

Trekking, The Phrygian Way Project

From the Editor

February’2011 Year:16 NO:63

Travel Trade - A global Outlook Far and Away Tourism/Travel Trade looks different from Australia for Turkey. Although, a long distance has been covered by the right paths chosen for the promotion of Turkey, in this part of the world, Turkey is still not promoted.

This year I had a different unexpected, unhappy experience due to an accident I have had in Sydney. I had to be hospitalized, therefore, I had the chance of interviewing the doctors, nurses and the patients.

They were so ignorant about Turkey. They knew the existence of Turkey through the war at Canakkale/Gallipoli and the young Anzac soldiers that lost their lives, but that was all. They were asking where to get more information about Turkey and that if our national airline was flying to Australia.

In the ten days that I had to stay at the hospital, I worked as a tourism promotion office and fed them with brochures, MeeTurkey, New Focus, Turkish Delight, our blue beads that keep the evil eye away, our “Yemeni” scarfs with hand made side embroidery and “ prayer beads”. It was not much but created interest and now I am receiving mails asking a lot of questions about Turkey, as to how, when, where to go in Turkey.

By 2015 the 100 year of the Anzac Commemoration will be a big event for Turkey. Why cant we start promoting our destination now by opening a Culture Tourism office asap in Australia? Turkish Airlines does have an office at Sydney but is not flying to Australia. Qantas and THY has a codeshare agreement that is cutting the edge of competition for Turkish Airlines in the market. Emirates, Ethiad, Singapore, Malaysia, Korean, Qatar Airlines/Airways are doing perfect business from European destinations to Australia. Why cant our global airline that flies to so many destinations, showing remarkable classification in the AEA yearly reports, fly here and make 60/70 thousand Turks that live here happy and proud? Naturally, the Australians that visit Turkey during April for the Anzac commemoration could choose to fly with Turkish Airlines with a right promotion policy.

Air Transport Association has chosen Turkish Airlines as best in the Market and that is perfectly true.

Time is right, time is now.

Australia is very daring in its tourism promotion. Oprah show was shot in Australia from 14th December to 22nd December, 2010. The target promotion land was naturally USA but it was worth all the penny they had spent.

The show was very much alive with Oprah visiting various parts of Australia and being down-toearth genuine and real, like one of the crowd. Not a past tense personality with unreal presence.

The reasons for travel/tourism is changing for more specialized interests i.e. trekking, sailing, skiing, luxury/private accommodations, secret/secluded places, exclusive corporate meetings, incentives.

Sustainable tourism, Green attitude, eco-friendly resorts, slow food cooking simple village life is the in travel for 2011/2012.

Sevil Oren

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

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Contents

38

36 Ali Gurer Private Museum

36 38 Trekking Routes in Turkey

Ali Gurer Private Museum was opened in August 1994, during the First Sultan Hidir Abdal Culture Fair, making the dreams Mustafa Gurer had back in the 1980s come true. In bringing this museum into use in memory of his late son he had also done something that, up to then, was never done: starting a private museum in a village.

There are several long distances walking trails in Turkey which are well documented and marked. Some of these trails are: Lycian Way • St. Paul Way • Atatürk and Independence Way • Karabük Yenice Forest Trails • Kaçkar Mountains• Phrygian Way ....

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26 Winter Tourism Centers of Anatolia

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Promoted Sacred Relics at Umrah & 34 Turkey Muslim Tourism Fair

The high altitude mountains of Turkey have made the country an important centre for winter tourism, and skiing is becoming increasingly popular. Turkey has 16 winter tourism centers in Anatolia. Winter sports resorts in Turkey are generally located in forested mountains of average height. The following ski centers are easily accessible by road or by Turkish Airlines domestic flights.

Main ski resorts are located in Bursa, Bolu, Erzurum, Kayseri and Kars.

Turkey attended the Malaysia’s only Umrah & Muslim Tourism Fair with an 18sqm stand prepared by Turkish Embassy Tourism & Information Office in Kuala Lumpur.

Turkey promoted country’s tourism and presented Turkey’s sacred relics at the 4th MATTA International Fair Selangor - Umrah & Muslim Travel Destinations (MASUM). The fair is held at Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan between 14 and 16 January 2011.

CONTENTS News Line Turkey 06 Meet at Exhibitions 16 News Line World 20 Cover Story (Winter Sports & Skiing) 26 Meet & Eat 32 Meet at Religion 34 Meet at Culture 36 Meet & Trek 38 Destinations 45 D.M. Companies 48

Cuisine represented at 32 Turkish Sydney International Food Festival

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Turkish Cuisine was the highlight of “Crave Sydney international Food Festival” 2010, one of world’s most prestigious culinary events. Renowned Turkish Chefs Musa Dagdeviren of Ciya and Mehmet Gurs of Mikla joined Turkish chefs in Australia, Somer Sivrioglu of Efendy and Ismail Tosun of Gigibaba. Ozden Ozsabuncuoglu of Gaziantep University also gave a seminar on Gaziantep cuisine together with cookbook author Leanne kitchen publishing a book on Turkish Cuisine.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

February’2011

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News Line Turkey

TURSAB Meets the Cultural Routes Working Group

By Kate Clow

On 15th January, several memebers of the Cultural Routes Working Group presented their routes and programmes suitable for alternative tourism to members of the TURSAB Eco-tourism group, under the chair of Sinan Halıç and Gunnur Ozalp. Many of the tour companies already run walking tours; the presentations were intended to inspire them with ideas to lengthen the season, extend the area of their activities and encourage better cooperation with local people.

In addition, Caroline Finkel presented the new Evliya Çelebi horse-riding and walking route, which will open this year to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Evliya’s birth. The first horse-riding groups rode on this trail in Sept 2010, and it will be open for walkers this year, with a guidebook published in May. Ersin Demirel presented 5 different routes he has been working on in conjunction with the Governors of Karabük and Çorum provinces, and the Forestry Managers of the Küre Dağları and Yenice forests. Together they have achieved an exceptional network of marked trails, mapped and with GPS points. Shortly guide books and maps will be available forr all these trails.

Also present at the meeting was Sayın Müjdat Özbahçevanoğlu, who is responsible, at the Tourism Ministry,

for all educational matters. So guide training was discussed. The current KOKART qualification is of course not suitable for guides working on outdoor activities, since it does not include essential items such as mountain safety and first aid. The Ministry are reassessing what may be done about this.

Sayın Bahçevanoğlu also offered the services of the Ministry in training villagers in matters of hospitality and the opening of home-stay pensions.

The Forestry Ministry have a loann scheme for pensioons in forestry villages, so if the two Ministries could combine their activities, new village pensions could receive the support essential to start them off.

Sayın Başaran Ülüsöy closed the meeting with a few remarks. There were requests for a further meeting as the two groups have much in common and would like to progress their problems together.

The Working Group will have a presence at the EMİTT travel fair in Istanbul, and on 21-22 Fabruary will participate in a seminar on Cultural Routes, hosted by UNESCO, Bilkent University and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. At this seminar will be speakers from the Council of Europe and a European Trail organisation. It will pave the way to the establishment of a permanent Cultural Routes organisation in Turkey. n

Nicolas Cage Met with Turkish Prime Minister in Turkey

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had a meeting today at Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal with the Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage who is in Turkey for the movie “Ghost Rider 2”.

Nicolas Cage, who arrived Turkey on January 12, is filming the sequel to “Ghost Rider” in Pamukkale, Denizli.

Cage met with Turkish Prime Minister at Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal in Pamukkale.

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay, the AK Party Deputy Chairman Mohamed Salih Kapusuz and Prime Minister’s daughter attended the meeting.

Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage’s starring “Ghost Rider 2” continues to film the final shots. Cage filmed some parts of the movie in Goreme in the Cappadocia region, which is famous for its unusual stone formations, caves and houses carved from rock. He is now in Pamukkale - Denizli, which is known for its white travertine terraces, to film other scenes of the movie.

Nicolas Cage, Idris Elba, and Violante Placido, accompanied by shooting, will last until 8 February. n

Istanbul Selected 2010’s Most Favorite Travel Destination

Readers of the U.S. daily “The New York Times” have named the Turkish city of Istanbul as their favorite travel destination for 2010.

The paper, which had asked its readers early in 2010 “where they wanted to travel throughout the year”, unveiled results of the poll and the winner is Istanbul.

The New York Times said “The readers who recommended Istanbul repeated some themes. Alan of New York, Peter of Istanbul and others mentioned the history. “What you see here today literally spans the centuries (and millenniums), in terms of the stones beneath your feet and cultures,” Peter wrote. Several other readers mentioned the people and the culture.”

The New York Times stated that Colombia, Seoul, Costa Rica and New York followed Istanbul in the ranking. make researches n

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

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News Line Turkey

Archaeological Discoveries in Turkey Round Up 2010

2010 has been a bumper one for archaeology in Turkey with a number of new sites and finds unearthed.

Highlights include newly discovered lost cities and significant artefacts from ongoing excavations.

animals as horses, elephants and panthers at the ancient city of Hadrianapolis in Karabuk, leading to this site being referred to as the Zeugma of the Black Sea Coast.

In and around the coastal areas of Turkey findings include those such as what is believed to be King Hekataios’s (father of Lost cities King Mausolos) marble-relief sarcophagus found in the Zeus Karios area of Milas in The discovery of the lost city of southwestern Turkey. A relief statue of a Germenicia in Kahramanmaras with its many houses decorated with mosaics such crowned female holding a torch has also been found in Perge. A 1500-year-old as found in Ephesus and Zeugma.

Byzantine paint-manufacturing workshop The antique Roman city of Julianopolis indicating that the port was once full close to Ankara during whose unearthing of such premises and a 900-year-old the ancient city of Parnassos was also Byzantine chapel have been uncovered in discovered.

Demre, Antalya.

Excavation finds On the Aegean coast, a 3000-year-old wine-manufacturing centre has been In Istanbul and its surrounds, findings found in Cesme, whilst an 8200-yearinclude ceramics of the Roman and Byzantine period and a Roman tombstone old seal has been unearthed in Bornova, at the ancient city of Bathoneia situated at Izmir. the edge of Lake Kucukcekmece, Istanbul. Findings in Central Anatolia (inland Turkey), include Cuneiform-script tablets A 60-metre section of a Roman road and near the ancient city of Kanesh (Hittite a tunnel have been found in Kocaeli. A Neša) in Kayseri, showing that the first temple with statues of Aphrodite and written trade agreement in Anatolia was Eros dating from the 2nd century BC in addition to a plethora of ceramics and the made 4000 years ago. The ancient city of Kanesh is also the site of discovery of remains of walls and a tower in Tekirdag.

The Black Sea region was also the location the earliest traces of the Hittite language, and the earliest attestation of any Indofor many interesting finds including European language, dated to the 20th a 2500-seater antique theatre during century BC. 5000-year-old ramparts have excavations of the antique city of Tieios, also been unearthed at Kultepe in Kayseri.

Zonguldak. This ancient city looks set In Eastern Turkey, a 2600-year-old wall to become known as the Ephesus of the belonging to the Urartu Empire has been Black Sea Coast. There have also been discoveries of unique mosaics of such found at Dogubeyazit castle. n

National Geographic China Reserves 30 Pages For Turkey National Geographic China has reserved its cover and 30 pages for Turkey in its new year special issue.

National Geographic China, which is one of the most prestigious reference magazines of the world, for the first time spared 30 pages for introduction of a country. Founder of China’s first private museum and famous collector, Ma Weidu, promoted Turkey in the magazine.

Turkish Culture & Tourism Ministry’s Beijing promotion office’s Undersecretary Ilknur Yigit told A.A on Monday that after they learned that most of the Chinese people knew about China porcelains in

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Turkey and they admired it very much, Chinese editors of National Geographic were offered to promote Turkey.

Yigit said that a Chinese delegation was hosted in Turkey with special invitation of Turkish Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay, and they were permitted to make shootings in museums.

Collector Weidu says in his article that he was impressed with the multiculture in Turkey, and Turkey was a perfect country.

Weidu is a famous collector who was previously invited to British Museum by British government to n

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

First Istanbul Shopping Fest to Begin March 18

Istanbul Shopping Fest will be organized between March 18 and April 26, 2011.

Istanbul Shopping Fest organization organized a press conference at Çırağan Palace on Friday, November 26.

Turkish Culture & Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, Governor of İstanbul Hasan Avni Mutlu, Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş, President of Istanbul Shopping Fest Platform Mehmet Büyükekşi and Istanbul Shopping Fest managing President Yılmaz Yılmaz informed that the event’s importance for Istanbul.

Speakers stated that the event has a total of 50 million Turkish Liras budget (35 million USD) and has a target of 3 billion USD spending during 40 days.

Shops and shopping malls will be open till morning in several districts of Istanbul. People will be able to shop 24 hours a day in Istanbul during nearly one month.

Different special prizes and ‘‘Win a Auto Every Day’’ campaigns are expected to attract tourists to Istanbul.

Beside the 90 shopping centers, several popular shops at Taksim, Nişantaşı, Şişli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Bahariye, and Bağdat street will stage several street activities.

Hundreds gathered to watch a different music shows and entertainment display on Taksim, Nişantaşı, Şişli, Bakırköy, Fatih, Bahariye and Bağdat streets of Istanbul. And Istanbul continues the theme of ‘‘ the city that never sleeps’’ n

News Line Turkey

Abba to give a concert in Istanbul

Musicians of famous Abba Group will give a concert in Istanbul on December 13 in Istanbul within the scope of “Good Music in Town Festival”.

Ulf Anders Hilmer Andersson and Mats Sture Ronander, the musicians of ABBA, will take the stage in Halic Congress Center with their “Abba The Show”.

ABBA was a Swedish pop music group formed in Stockholm in 1972, consisting of Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog. They became one of the most commercially successful acts in the history of popular music, topping the charts worldwide from 1972 to 1983.

ABBA sold over 375 million records worldwide, making them the fourth bestselling popular music artists in the history of recorded music. They still sell two to three million records a year. ABBA was the first pop group from a non-Englishspeaking country to enjoy consistent success in the charts of English-speaking countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, Australia

and New Zealand. As well as reaching the top of the charts in different countries like Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru among others, the band also released a compilation of their hit songs translated into Spanish.

During the band’s existence, Fältskog and Ulvaeus were a married couple, as were Lyngstad and Andersson - although both couples later divorced. At the height of their popularity, both relationships began suffering strain that led ultimately to the collapse of first the Ulvaeus-Fältskog marriage (in 1979) and then of the Andersson-Lyngstad marriage in 1981.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s these relationship changes began manifesting in the group’s music, as they produced more introspective lyrics with different compositions. After ABBA split, Andersson and Ulvaeus achieved success writing music for the stage while Lyngstad and Fältskog pursued individual solo careers with varying success.

ABBA’s music remained steadily popular until several films, notably Muriel’s Wedding and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, revived interest in the group, spawning several tribute bands.

In 1999, ABBA’s music was adapted into the successful musical Mamma Mia! that toured worldwide and had a movie version released in 2008, becoming the highest grossing film in the UK at the time. The group was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 15 March 2010 n

Kaya Hotels & Resorts Opened the Largest Convention Centre of Izmir

of Izmir will be serving conferences, meetings, incentives and events of magnificence. The centre is equipped with the latest technology of meetings industry.

Additionally the Kaya Izmir Hotel has 2 As one of the industry leaders in the meeting halls with a tourism sector and the largest Turkish total area of 1485 m2. Izmir’s largest hotel chains in bed capacity, Kaya convention centre and hotel has a total Hotels & Resorts put life into the city of of 3 gardens and a pool area that cover fairs – Izmir, by opening a whole new 3537 m2 area and accommodate up to convention & conference centre.

3250pax in reception and 2600 pax in Kaya Izmir Convention Centre is aiming banquet style. to be the glowing star of the business Known as Agamemnon Springs world with this new property that throughout the history, and the healing opened in December, with a total of thermal source of Balçova, among the 5,500 m2 of conference & meetings pine trees and the source of oxygen, space. 2100 m2 of pillar-less hall, 25 Kaya Izmir Thermal & Convention meeting rooms of various sizes, 1600 offers a unique atmosphere for your m2 foyer hall and 1300 m2 of roof conference and meetings, with the five with the marvellous view of the Gulf star thermal and spa enchantment. n

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

OAG Names Airmark as Regional Partner in Turkey

OAG, the global leader in aviation intelligence, has named Airmark as its regional representative in Turkey.

Airmark provides a “one-stop-shop” solution of travel distribution services for airlines and travel companies operating into and within Turkey, and is the leading GSA and flight support company in the region.

Airmark’s operational expertise covers all areas of aviation including airline passenger sales, air cargo, aircraft charter, flight support, and travel services. As OAG’s GSA Airmark will familiarize the region with our wide range of travel products.

“We are delighted to partner with Airmark; their operational expertise in all areas of aviation highly complements OAG’s high quality of aviation intelligence products, and provides us with a strong local base in which to grow our products in Turkey,” said Stephen Bray, Executive Vice President, OAG Aviation.

“OAG has grown to be a full service provider of all types of data, analysis and products related to commercial and operational requirements for airlines, airports and any company in need of aviation data,” said Eric Willems, Director of Travel Services, Airmark.

“This ‘one-stop-shop’ concept fits very well with Airmark’s vision and experience, and we are extremely proud to have been selected as OAG’s General Sales Agent for travel-related products in Turkey.” n

News Line Turkey

2011 Ateliers for Young Festival Managers in Singapore and Izmir The Atelier for Young Festival Managers is an intense, rigorous one week training programme addressed at emerging artistic festival directors

Applicants interested in the upcoming Ateliers are invited to read the Call for Application and submit the Application Form: for SINGAPORE 2011 until 17 December 2010 and for IZMIR 2011 until 7 February 2011. All information about the Atelier, the selection criteria and procedure are included in the Call for Application. worldwide.

The Atelier for Young Festival Managers The Ateliers in 2011 follow the guiding in Asia is co-organised between EFA and motto “The true role of a festival is to LaSalle College of the Arts Singapore, in help artists to dare, to engage in new cooperation with the Association of Asian projects”, a phrase coined by Bernard Performing Arts Festivals (AAPAF) and the Faivre d’Arcier, former director of the Singapore International Arts Festival. As Festival d’Avignon. Initiated by the an Asian city full of vibrant cultural life, European Festivals Association (EFA), it contrasts and transformation, Singapore will be organised for the first time twice bears distinctive challenges that Atelier – in Spring and Autumn. It premiers in participants will explore.

Asia from 14-21 May 2011 (Singapore) The Atelier for Young Festival Managers and takes place in Izmir/Turkey from 24in Europe is co-organised between EFA 31 October 2011. “The Atelier is about and the International Izmir Festival. The formulating experiences and passing on exceptional historic and cultural features knowledge to a next (new) generation of of ancient Izmir and its surroundings festival makers: knowledge about the arts, (including close by Ephesus) bonding Asia artists and festival formulas, thematically to Europe offer food for thought during focusing on the very essence of arts the Atelier. festivals: the art and the artist,” explains Co-organisers affirm that cultural EFA Secretary General Kathrin Deventer. organisations and academic institutions Each Atelier will bring together 45 need to embrace the continuity of festival managers from all over the world. professional development. The 2011 Distinguished festival directors including Ateliers are organised in continuation Bernard Faivre d’Arcier, Rose Fenton, of two successful editions: in 2006 Goh Ching Lee, Hugo De Greef and Nele in Görlitz/Germany and in 2009 in Hertling, together with 8 well selected, Varna/Bulgaria. By now, the Atelier has renowned festival pioneers from all over established itself as a unique platform for the world being present for at least 2 the exchange of ideas, the development days share their experiences. In lectures, of artistic visions and new networks, the one-to-one talks, group discussions as only one featuring such a distinguished well as intense workshops about case group of festival leaders and cultural studies, participant discuss issues touching experts. The publication EFA BOOKS 3 upon the artistic vision, political and “Cahier de l’Atelier” serves as a handbook social responsibility, internationalisation, for participants; a follow-up edition is to networking, renewal and sustainability. be published in 2011. n

MeeTurkey Becomes a Media Partner of ATA

MeeTurkey becomes a media partner of the Africa Travel Association; the premier international travel association, promoting tourism to the African continent and intra-Africa travel and partnership.

You will find more travel and tourism news and destination reports from the African countries here at MeeTurkey Incentive magazine. We would like to contribute Africa’s tourism development and inform travellers about new tourism

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destinations in the African continent.

Tourism is the fastest developing enterprise in Africa and currently one of the continent’s major investment opportunities, viewing its 6% growth rate for the last decennium. Africa receives 4.8% of all tourist arrivals in the world, and 3.3% of the receipts and although it is not at the heart of the global tourist market, this modest proportion of the world’s number one industry is still important for the continent. Countries in Africa are now focusing on tourism as a source of growth and diversification.

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) was established as an international travel industry trade association in 1975 to promote travel, tourism and transport to and within Africa, and to strengthen intraAfrica partnerships. n

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Turkey Kicked off 25th Winter Universiade

The 25th Winter Universiade officially started in eastern Turkey’s Erzurum Province with nearly 3,000 athletes from 58 countries and regions.

The athletes will compete in a total of 11 events, namely Alpine skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, curling, ski jumping, cross country, Nordic combined, snowboard, freestyle skiing, figure skating and short track, during the games, which will run till February 6.

The opening ceremony took place at the Cemal Gursel Stadium in Erzurum .

Officials said the facilities built for the games cost nearly 600 million Turkish lira (about 380 million U.S. dollars), the biggest investment Turkey had made for a single sports event ever. Special silver, bronze and brass coins have been produced on the occasion of the games.

At the opening ceremony, Turkey’s national athlete Sabahattin Oglago who will compete in cross country carried the Turkish Flag.

On the other hand, the 2011 Erzurum Universiade Torch was in the hands of World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoğlu, 2009 and 2010 84 Kg World Champion GrocoRoman Style, wrestler Selçuk Çebi, Neslihan Darnel who assumed the title of top scorer at the World Champions and physically handicapped archer Gizem Girişmen, 2008 Pekin (Paralympic) Olympics Champion. The Athletes Oath was sung by Turkey’s national skier Tuğba Daşdemir and the Referee’s Oath was sung by Turkey’s ice hockey referee Ece Esen who also successfully represents her country in the international arena.

Turkey’s famous ‘Fire of Anatolia’ dance performers took the stage in both the opening and closing ceremonies and glamour the audiences who attended to the opening ceremony. The “Gates of the East” show which has a quality to stress out the cultural characteristics of Turkey and Erzurum dazzled the eyes of the audiences with the great performance of javelin horses.

At the ceremony, Aysel Gültekin and local performers took stage and sang Erzurum folk songs.

Erzurum, which is one of Turkey’s coldest cities with average of minus 15.5 degrees in January, is having a warm winter by its standards this year. The temperature Wednesday was around 1 degree Celsius and lack of snow however organizers prior to event transported snow from the mountains with trucks and tons of water were frozen for the Universiade. And with the start of the Universiade, snow fall started with higher amount. n

News Line Turkey

Elif Balci Fisunoglu is the new General Manager of ICVB Elif Balci Fisunoglu has been appointed as the General Manager of Istanbul Convention & Visitors BureauICVB. She was working as the Director of Sales & Marketing of the Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau - ICVB since 2001.

Fisunoglu is a member of PCMA- Professional Convention Management Association and has been appointed to the 2011 International Task Force Committee for PCMA for the second term. She is also a member of TUGEV n

Istanbul Hosted ICCA’s MFC Meeting Management & Finance Committee (MFC) meeting of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) took place in Istanbul, Turkey for the first time outside of its Amsterdam Head Office.

Management & Finance Committee which consists of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Third Vice President, Treasurer, Immediate Past President and Chief Executive Officer gathered in Istanbul.

During the meeting, ICCA executives met with politicians, local authorities and organized a networking session with local members and potential members. ICCA President Arnaldo

Nardone, CEO Martin Sirk, 1st Vice President and Treasurer Juan Jose Garcia, 2nd Vice President Nina Freysen-Pretorius, 3rd Vice President Handan Boyce, Immediate Past President Leigh Harry worked hard during meetings and listened their members’ ideas, proposals and needs as ICCA members.

“The MFC meeting in Istanbul was a productive journey checking and evaluating our budget for all of our actions in 2011 plus an important networking session with 70 local participants including ICCA members and potential prospects” said ICCA President Arnaldo Nardone. n

In Brief Ali E. Keskin

Handan Boyce

Yasemin Uygurmen

Erol Turanlioglu

Cengiz Karaagac

Tolga Tuyluoglu

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l Ali Ethem Keskin has been appointed to Mountrain Outdoor Academy as Director of Business Development. Mr. Keskin was previously Director of Business Development at Sipahiler Tourism and Organization. l Esra Nilgün Mirze, founder of Istanbul Network; an Istanbul-based independent art network, will be presented with the Cultural Prize Europa of the KulturForum Europa. It is a union established by former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher to promote development of culture and communication in Europe. l Ustungel Inanc has been handling the international press relations at the Istanbul Biennial and the Istanbul Festivals. l Handan Boyce has been appointed Haliç Congress Centre in Istanbul as General Manager. Handan Boyce was General Manager of Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau previously. Mrs. Boyce is also a board member at ICCA. l Ustungel Inanc has been appointed to RAMPA. l Yasemin Uygurmen has been appointed The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul as Public Relations Manager. l Erol Turanlioglu has been appointed Alkoçlar Hotel Group as Tourism Group Director. l Feridun Tabur named General Manager at Hotel North Point located in Denizli l Cengiz Karaagaç has been appointed to Pegas Touristik’s Dessole Resorts & Hotels in Egypt as General Manager. l Kaya Demirer has been elected as the President of Turkish Restaurant & Entertainment Association (TURYID). l Armin Zerunyan has been appointed Hilton Worldwide Luxury Brands Turkey Manager. l Cüneyt Kuru appointed Rixos Lares as General Manager. l Tolga Tuyluoglu has been appointed as the new UK director for The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism as of December 1st.

February’2011

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Esra Nilgün Mirze

Ustungel Inanc

Kaya Demirer

Feridun Tabur

Armin Zerunyan

Cüneyt Kuru

Exhibition

Istanbul & Turkey are Promoted at EIBTM Istanbul and Turkey are promoted by MICE hotels and DMCs at the 500 sqm Turkey Booth organized by The Culture & Tourism Office in Madrid in coordination with Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB).

This year’s presence in Barcelona drew more attention to Turkey

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February’2011

booth which is positively correlated to the increase in number of buyers at the event. Istanbul and Turkey’s meeting products and services are presented with up to date information to buyers and other stand visitors.

Forty three companies only attended the meetings exhibition in Barcelona at Turkey Booth.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

February’2011

17

Exhibition

3,000 Luxury Travel Professionals Met at ILTM International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) is the leading annual business to business event for the global luxury travel community, bringing together over 3,000 professional luxury travel buyers and suppliers, in Cannes, 6 - 9 December 2010.

The world’s most sought after destinations, ultra-luxurious accommodation, elite transportation and unique travel experiences are showcased for the most discerning international luxury travel buyer via an unrivalled prescheduled appointment system and effective networking and information opportunities.

ILTM started with Ultratravel Forum which brought

18

together two heavyweight discussion panels of the industry’s movers and shakers to discuss the key issues facing the industry today. The panels were facilitated by Klara Glowczewska, Editor-in-Chief of Condé Nast Traveler US and Graham Boynton, Editor of Ultratravel and Group Travel Editor of the UK’s Telegraph Media Group. The panels are titled ‘How have the demands of the luxury traveller changed’ and ‘Finding and satisfying high-yield travellers in today’s market’.

Turkey also promoted with luxury hotels such as; Eresin Crown Hotel, Kempinski Hotels, Sumahan on The Water Hotel, Ajia Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, Museum Hotel of Cappadocia and travel agencies of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, France.

Yusuf Duru; Duru Tourism attends ILTM as a hosted buyer every year.

Turkey stand had a interest at ILTM

MeeTurkey Magazine distributed at Turkey stand.

Avsar Koc; Kempinski Hotels.

February’2011

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Tuba Tekeli and Gokhan Gok; Sumahan on The Water Hotel.

Mete Uskudarli; Ajia Hotel.

Yasemin Kaya and Seval Acil; Argos in Cappadocia.

Murat Duran; Ritz Carlton Istanbul.

Selbin Okyay; Pera Palace Hotel.

Muberra Eresin, Harun Musa, Banu Mutlu.

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

February’2011

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News Line World

New IMEX Survey Reveals Women’s Meetings Industry Leadership Ambitions

As part of their research into those business performance skills that women feel they most need to develop in order to progress, Susan Sarfati, CEO of High Performance Strategies and Liz Jackson, President of Jackson Consulting Inc, recently conducted a survey of 140 women currently working in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry.

The resulting research and its detailed findings will be used to craft the content of their first ever Women’s Leadership Forum to be held at IMEX in Frankfurt, May 24-26 this year, as part of the award-winning trade show’s New Vision programme. The survey also gathered feedback from a small number of men.

The survey results show that many women still share concerns about how to achieve a sustainable work-life balance but they are also doing battle with other workplace issues which are specific to the 21st century. When asked “what is the major challenge you currently face in your leadership or management role?”, time management, especially in an age of ‘always-on’ social media, was highlighted by many respondents. Others expressed a desire to understand how to be assertive in the workplace without appearing dominant or aggressive, especially in a tougher economic climate.

Although some of the issues raised by the women polled can clearly be divided along male or female lines, others are fundamental to everyone working in the meetings industry.

These include how to guide clients towards more ethical and fairer business behaviour; how best to manage and motivate Generation Y employees; staff retention issues and how to achieve board level support and understanding of the real value of meetings and events.

When it comes to developing specific skills and new areas of confidence and expertise, these women said their greatest need is for improved time management, better sales and marketing skills, superior financial management as well as presentation and communication skills. Many respondents also said they would like to improve their negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

When asked which subjects they would most like to discuss during the Women’s Leadership Forum, ‘dealing with conflict’ was the topic most requested by respondents, closely followed by ‘understanding the differences in male and female leadership types’ and ‘selling yourself and your ideas’. Other suggestions made by the respondents themselves included multi-tasking -

and how to avoid losing focus by trying to do everything - and cross-cultural training. It is clear that working in or with partners in emerging markets presents unique challenges to women, many of whom are aware of cultural and religious differences but are unsure of their impact on working relationships.

Commenting on the findings, Susan Sarfati, CEO of High Performance Strategies and co-presenter of the IMEX Women’s Leadership Forum in May, says: “Now it is not so unusual to see women leading countries throughout the world. The meetings industry is reflecting the same dramatic change as it relates to key decision makers and a multitude of new opportunities. The 21st century is indeed the century for women to make a major impact and we need to maximise how we can take advantage of this to move ourselves forward, and the meetings industry overall.”

Looking ahead to the live Forum, Liz Jackson, President of Jackson Consulting Inc, who will also be presenting, states: “By demonstrating how women can overcome barriers and succeed in business - and in life - feel good about themselves and reach beyond their expectations, our new Forum will show that women often have more power and potential than they realise.

These results make it clear we still have a way to go but they also demonstrate that women’s desire and readiness to improve their skills and remain focused on career development is an essential component of a healthy international meetings and events industry.”

140 women from a cross-section of buyers and suppliers answered the survey. They work in a variety of global markets and at different levels of seniority from event planners to CEOs. They also represent markets including Asia, North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Attendance at the Women’s Leadership Forum at IMEX in Frankfurt in May is completely free of charge, with no need to book. It will take place at 1600hrs on Wednesday May 25th with a second session also set to take place. All Forum sessions will be highly interactive.

Sarfati and Jackson are both accomplished meetings industry experts and achievers with many years’ experience of the specific challenges presented by the industry. Sarfati is best known for her years as CEO and an innovative leader and key spokesperson in the association management profession, whilst Jackson says her greatest career achievement is her success in senior management in the airline and hotel industry. n

IT&CM China 2011 to Feature Exciting New Elements and Bring Back Successful Ones

In response to buyers’ feedback on industry trends and demands, IT&CM China 2011 will feature new elements including two themed pavilions. The first new pavilion will showcase innovative and unique convention venues. Buyers have indicated that their clients are increasingly requesting for proposals that have a wow factor and are no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter solutions.

This new pavilion is something that international buyer Mr Patrick Lee, Regional Director of Best Travel Deals, Singapore, who is on the look-out for exotic locations and services, will appreciate. He explains that “Our client profile is evolving to encompass sophisticated travellers. These travellers typically have higher expectations, more complex demands and diverse requirements.”

The second pavilion will comprise a collection of health and medical suppliers with travel wellness offerings. This new addition will strike a chord with Corporate Buyers, in particular, HR managers who are increasingly concerned with managing employee health welfare during business trips. Research of

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February’2011

current trends has highlighted that health and travel wellness have grown in importance in both China’s MICE and Corporate Travels sectors.

A couple of well-received event features will also be returning to the 2011 event. Shanghai Municipal Tourism Administration, the returning sponsor of this year’s IT&CM China pre-show city tours of Shanghai, will be highlighting four new venues and attractions in the tour line-up. International hosted buyers and media will have an opportunity to visit the Mercedes-Benz Arena (former Expo Culture Centre), the Expo Convention Centre (former Expo Centre), Shanghai Gong Stage and enjoy the “New Era of Kaleido” cultural performance, and The Bund, Shanghai.

Tours will take place over 3 time-slots on the 12 and 13 April.

All pre-show tours are managed by the Shanghai International Conference Management Organisation.

IT&CM China 2011 will be held from April 13 to 15 next year at ShanghaiMart Expo. The 2011 theme is “Leading China’s Next MICE Wave”. This is the 5th instalment of the international MICE event that seeks to “Promote China to the World and the World to China”. In 2010, the event attracted more than 2,000 delegates from 42 countries. n

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

IT&CM China 2011 13 -15 April 2011 | ShanghaiMart Expo

Leading China’s Next MICE Wave Bringing Together Chinese and International MICE Exhibitors & Buyers In One Dynamic Marketplace.

Business

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USD 1 million

2010 exhibitors choose IT&CM - Generate New Sales Leads - Promote Company, Products & Services - Network

China to:

- Stay Competitive

Learning

• Seminar Sessions

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Exhibitors | Buyers | Media

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FOR INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS, BUYERS AND MEDIA 国际展商、买家和媒体，请您联系 TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd TTG亚洲传媒有限公司

FOR CHINA-BASED EXHIBITORS, BUYERS AND MEDIA 中国展商、买家和媒体，请您联系 MP International (Shanghai) Pte Ltd 中新会展（上海）有限公司

Tel 电话 : (65) 6395 7575 Fax 传真: (65) 6536 0896 Email 电子邮箱: itcmchina@ttgasia.com

Tel 电话: (86) 021 6295 9990 Fax 传真: (86) 021 6270 6030 Email 电子邮箱: sales-sh@mpinetwork.com

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News Line World

GIBTM 2011Leads Middle East Growth for Meetings Industry

GIBTM, which takes place on 28-30 March 2011 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), promises to be the largest gathering of meeting professionals in the Middle East.

More significantly, it is the pivot to drive and shape the industry‘s knowledge. At this year’s event, the organisers Reed Travel Exhibitions, are looking to develop the comprehensive Professional Education Programme allowing visitors to learn from industry experts. Free seminar sessions, suitable for all levels of attendees from the incentives, business travel, meetings and events sectors will be available at the show.

One of GIBTM’s objectives is to attract international and regional decision makers and influencers who hold regular meetings and events to educate them on what the Middle East, as a convention, meetings and incentive destination, has to offer.

Exhibitors from the region include Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Cyprus Tourism Organisation, Egyptian Tourist Authority, Fujairah Tourism & Antiquities Authority, Government of Dubai, Jumeirah, Oman Ministry of Tourism, Qatar Tourism Authority, Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority.

“The meetings and events industry in the Middle East is clearly

ATF Organized Sucessfully ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2011 drew 1,600 heads of National Tourist Organisations (NTOs), Tourism Ministers, Travel Suppliers from across ASEAN, International Buyers, Media and other tourism professionals from around the world.

During the forum days, a 3-day travel trade-only exhibition and

on a growth trajectory as it continues to attract regional and international meetings, events and exhibitions into the region.

With still plenty of room for further development, its enormous potential is yet to be fully realised as more of the region‘s worldclass facilities are still in the pipeline.

‘As an emerging globalised service sector, every Dirham spent on hosting such events leads to approximately 7-10 Dirhams of peripheral economic benefits. Excellent flight connections together with spacious exhibition and conference venues equipped with state-of-the-art technology to affordable yet luxurious accommodations and specialised freight forwarders, all make the Middle East an ideal location for international business meetings and events.’ Says Lloyd Kenyon, Exhibition Manager of GIBTM. The Middle East region currently offers facilities that can confidently cater to any type of event and include the recently opened Ferrari World Theme Park on Yas Island, a world-class incentive destination in its own right, the developments on Saadiyat Beach Island with the Guggenheim Museum and the Louvre to be ready in 2013, or the fact that Qatar won the right to host the World Cup in 2022, the sector set for tremendous opportunities to those looking at planning and organising meetings, events, congresses and exhibitions. n

business meetings platform also took place in Phnom Penh; called the ATF TRAVEX. This year’s TRAVEX attracted 442 international buyers, 148 media delegates from across 32 countries, and 518 booths from 434 exhibiting companies from the 10 ASEAN countries. n

Site Returns to Monterey County for Fifth Annual Site Classic The Site International Foundation will once again bring their annual Site Classic event to Monterey County. The event raises funds and industry awareness for motivational experience and incentive travel professionals. Monterey County offers an ideal location for a motivational setting with venues and meeting space that is bountiful and diverse as the region’s activities and natural beauty.

“We look forward to gathering the leaders of the motivational events and incentive travel industry to help raise funds for our valued research, which is helping us all make motivational programming more effective,” states Steve O’Malley, Site International Foundation 2011 President. “The Site International Foundation is excited to return to Monterey County, where the first Site Classic was held, to commemorate the five-year anniversary of our event.” n

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February’2011

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

IMEX +44 (0)1273 227311 | info@imexexhibitions.com

A meetings exhibition can only be judged by who you meet there.

IMEX attracts more top people in the global meetings industry than any other show.

Over 15,000 influential meetings professionals, creating great chemistry and great business at IMEX 2010, confirmed the industry’s judgement that this is the most important and unmissable show in the worldwide calendar.

IMEX isn’t just about doing business - it’s about building it, providing the motivation and insight of our hallmark New Vision programme, led by dozens of high-profile speakers, to guide your business and your career to greater things. This depth of expertise is exclusive to IMEX. IMEX 2011, live in Frankfurt 24 - 26 May, will be full of interesting people, new contacts and new ideas.

It’s the meetings meeting that provides inspiration with every handshake.

pre-register now imex-frankfurt.com

Frankfurt / 24-26 May

The meeting of minds. imex-frankfurt.com

News Line World

Active Scotland Year Launched showcasing Scotland around a common theme. On January 1, visitors and Scots came together to signal the start of Active Scotland at the Scottish capital’s famous One o’ Clock run - a fun run or walk from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Park, and part of Edinburgh’s famous Hogmanay celebrations.

Jim Mather, Scottish Government Tourism Minister, said, “Our diverse and beautiful landscape makes Scotland a fantastic destination to be active, whether you are visiting or you live here - and spotlighting this incredible selling point makes perfect sense.

“Through the Year of Active Scotland in 2011, the tourism industry will work together to promote the vast range of activities Scotland has to offer. From gentle coastal walks to long-distance treks through challenging terrain; open canoeing on a tranquil loch to the thrill of white-water rafting down a fast flowing river; or the fun of a family bike ride to the rush of mountain biking through forests Active Scotland has something to offer those of all ages and abilities.

“Through Active Scotland we are aiming to sustain the momentum of the Year of Food and Drink. There are obvious links between eating delicious, healthy food and drink and being active - and we intend to exploit these opportunities as these two focus years overlap.”

Active Scotland appeals to everyone, from gentle walkers to adrenaline junkies.

Moreover, Scotland’s diverse landscapes and cities make a fantastic destination in which to be active, while a growing reputation for adventure sports has put Scotland has launched a year of exciting Scotland on the map as Europe’s Adventure Capital. activities and events with the announcement Scotland offer endless opportunities for adventure, from snowboarding and of Active Scotland. The year-long programme ice climbing in the mountains to canyoning in the water, and from skiing in the of events, festivals and activities will outline Cairngorms to mountain biking in the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and Fort Scotland as a must-visit active and adventure William, visitors are spoilt for choice. Not forgetting that visitors can get out and destination and showcase the best of Scotland to about in the Home of Golf, with over 550 golf courses throughout the country. the world.

Whatever your choice of activity, Scotland is a fantastic visitor destination all year Active Scotland builds upon on the success round, with activity experiences for all levels of ability, all within easy reach of of Homecoming 2009 and the Year of Food major hubs and cities. n and Drink - which runs until May 2011, in

Senegal to Host ATA’s 36th Annual Congress in May 2011

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, Liaison with the Private Sector and Small Businesses of the Republic of Senegal will host the 36th Annual ATA World Congress in the capital Dakar from May 25 to May 29, 2011. ATA has longstanding ties with the West African nation, where it held its Eco and Cultural Symposium in 1992.

ATA’s signature event in Africa provides a unique networking, learning and agenda-shaping platform for hundreds of travel professionals in Africa, including African tourism ministers and industry experts representing tourism boards, travel agencies and tour operators, ground operator companies, airlines, and

hotels. Many participants from the travel trade media and the corporate, non profit and academic sectors are also expected to attend along with leaders of the African Diaspora.

The event will address timely industry topics such as publicprivate partnership, branding and marketing, emerging trends and niche markets, airlines accessing Africa, and accommodations. The Congress also offers professional development opportunities and networking events, including receptions and gala dinners. Delegates will also participate in a Destination Africa Marketplace, and explore Senegal and its sites during Host Country tours. Pre and post congress trips are also available.

ATA’s Young Professionals Program, representing travel, tourism and hospitality students and young professionals from North America and Africa, will also participate in the event.

Additional Information: www.AfricaTravelAssociation.org n

AIME Awards for 2011 AIME are pleased to announce that the business events industry’s top professionals will judge its annual awards on 15 and 16 February at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

AIME’s five awards promote excellence in stand design and presentation, sustainability and environment and one award recognises individual contribution to the business events industry. AIME’s three stand awards will be judged by Margaret Crichton, General Manager at Exhibition & Event Association of Australasia (EEAA), Linda Gaunt, CEO of Meetings Events Australia (MEA) and Noor Ahmad, Regional Director Asia-Pacific at International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

The awards will be judged onsite and one exhibitor will win in each of the following categories: Best Stand under 30m² Best Stand over 30m² Best New Exhibitor Stand AIME is also recognising

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February’2011

exhibitors that have gone that extra mile to make their stand environmentally friendly with the Best Environmental Stand Award and exhibitors have had the chance to enter this award online detailing the initiatives they have undertaken. This award will be judged by Caitlin Findley and Seamus Balkin from Ecovantage and Danielle Johnson from Climate Positive. The fifth award is the Outstanding Contribution Award which recognises individual commitment and work within the business and events industry in the Asia-Pacific region. “AIME provides the ideal forum for recognising outstanding, influential individuals and companies who have made a significant difference within the business events industry and all our past winners of these awards are proud to be recognised by the premier meetings and incentives event in Asia-Pacific. We look forward to announcing the winners for this year on the second morning of AIME,” comments Sally de Swart, AIME Event Director.

The AIME 2011 Awards presentation will be held on the Concourse at MCEC on Wednesday 16th February at 9:45am. n

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Cover Story

Winter Sports & Skiing

T

Winter Tourism Centers of Anatolia he high altitude mountains of Turkey have made the country an important centre for winter tourism, and skiing is becoming increasingly popular.

Turkey has 16 winter tourism centers in Anatolia. Winter sports resorts in Turkey are generally located in forested mountains of average height. The following ski centers are easily accessible by road or by Turkish Airlines domestic flights. Main ski resorts are located in Bursa, Bolu, Erzurum, Kayseri and Kars.

Uludag Mountain, which is a popular destination for Turkish ski lovers, has more than 3500 bed capacities about in 30 deluxe resort hotels. This ski centre 36 km south of Bursa is accessible

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February 2011

along a good asphalt road or by cable - car. Skiing is available from end of November to beginning of April. A wide range of accommodation is available in hotels, in family chalets and apres-ski facilities. Uludag Mountain is 2500 meter high. The ski area lies between 1800-1900 m. and there are 8 chair lifts and 7 ski lifts and also several snow machines for the ski trails. There are also slalom and giant slalom courses, beginner’s slopes and a small hospital.

Skis, equipment, and instructors are available for hire. Uludag has lots of different cuisine restaurants, bars and nightclubs. They offer great entertainment for the guests. Bursa Uludag is 3

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

hours distance by drive from Istanbul.

Another popular ski resort is located in Kartalkaya-Bolu. This resort situated on the Istanbul - Ankara highway 50 km from Bolu is surrounded by pinewoods, the ski area lying between There are two deluxe hotels, which have more than 1000 beds. Skiing is also available from end of November to mid of April.

Kartalkaya is 2200m high and there are 2 chair lifts, 6 ski lifts and 3 baby-lifts for children. Ski lift and equipment for hire, and ski instructors are available.

Kartalkaya is 4 hours far from Istanbul by drive.

The third famous ski destination is in Erzurum PalandĂśken Mountains.

Palandรถken is popular for Russian and Israel ski lovers. This centre is 6 km from Erzurum along a good road. Skiing is available from end of October to May. Highest point is 3250 m. Ski trails are longest trails in Europe. The longest trail is 12 km and two of them are serve for International Slalom Championships. Most difficult courses and best snow conditions in Turkey, making it an ideal location for international ski competitions. The slopes here are among the longest and steepest in the world, giving a total length of around 28 km. With the altitude difference of 1000 metres between the start and finish line, Palandoken has two registered tracks for competitions of Slalom and grand Slalom. (Ejder Track and Kapikaya Track). There are five chair-lifts, one T-bar, two baby lifts and a gondola lift. There are 4- and 5-star hotels with restaurants, and ski instruction

Kartalkaya-Bolu

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

February 2011

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Cover Story

Erzurum Palandรถken and equipment rental services are available. Also there are a number of hotels in Erzurum. It is only 15 minutes far from Erzurum airport. Erzurum is two hours by flight from Istanbul.

Kayseri Erciyas Mountain is old volcano. This ski centre lies at 2150 m on the eastern face of Erciyes Mountain and 25 km from Kayseri. It is 3100m high and has great ski trails. Skiing is available from end of November to beginning of April. There is a resort hotel and ski lodges. Ski instructors and equipment are available. There are 3 lifts for skiers. Kayseri airport is 1 hour from Istanbul by flight.

Kayseri Erciyas

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February 2011

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Sarıkamıs is a picturesque ski destination in Kars.

Skiing is under the trees at the forests. Highest point is 2700m and skiing is available from end of November to beginning of April. Crystal snow is preferable for professional skiers. There are 2 chair lifts and 1 ski lift service for skiers. There are two ski lodges. Kars is 2 hour 30 min. far from Istanbul by flight.

Antalya Saklıkent situated north east of Bakırlı mountain the Beydag mountain range, 50 km north west of Antalya, at a height of 2000 m. Accommodation is available in guest house/chalets and there are resta-

Sarıkamıs

urants, shops and a supermarket. The best season is from January to April. The special attraction of this centre is that in March and April one can ski in the mornings then drive down to the coast and swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean in the afternoons.

Ankara Elmadag. The Elmadag Ski Resort, which is on the northern slopes of Elmadag mountain range, is a few kilometres southeast of the centre of Ankara, which has made it more popular This is a lovely place to relax, 23 km out of Ankara, to get fresh air and to dine far away from the glamour and air pollution of the city. There is a 10 rooms (33 beds) hotel, chalets (130 beds), a pleasantly decorated a la carte restaurant, a snack bar/ discotheque, and parking. llgaz is situated between Kastamonu and Çankırı at the junction of the IstanbulKastamonu, Ankara-Kastamonu roads. In the llgaz National Park amidst beautiful woodlands the slopes lie at 1820-2000m.

There are picnic facilities, chalets (50 beds)

Antalya Saklıkent

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

February 2011

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Cover Story

Uludag Mountain and good hunting in the area.

Zigana – Gümüshane. This centre is 30 km from Gümüshane, and lies at an altitude of 1870 m above a pineforested valley. The ski centre has a lodge, a T-bar and baby-lift. The ski run is around 200m wide, with an average gradient of 20%.The season is from December to the end of April.

The other ski destinations are also host ski lovers as AGRI - Bubi Mountain This ski resort is on the mountain of Bubi, in Eastern Anatolia, 18km south-west of the centre of Agri.

There is a ski lodge belonging to the Agri City Directorate, and a café.

There is a T-bar and chair-lift.

Bingol-Yolaçtı, The resort is 25km outside the city centre of Bingol, in Central Eastern Anatolia.

The ski lodge has a 50-bed capacity, and Bingol city centre is generally

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February 2011

used for medical and other services.

The ski run is 1km, with routes for beginners and advanced skiers. There is a T-bar with a lower station at 1650m, and the upper one at 1890m, with an average gradient of 25%.

Bitlis, Bitlis is in the far east of the country, in Eastern Anatolia around 20km south-west of Lake Van, and the skiing area is inside the city. n addition to the ski lodge inside the resort, there is much more accommodation and other services in the city.

The resort at Altinkalbur has a T-bar facility 726m long, and the standard of ski runs is between moderate and difficult.

Elazıg-Hazarbaba, Located in the Hazarbaba Mountains in the Elazig district, this resort was only opened in 1999 and is still being improved. The resort has a ski lodge and a café. Ski equipment is available for hire, and there are plans

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Kastamonu - Ilgaz

Elazıg-Hazarbaba

Izmir - Ödemis - Bozdag

Isparta-Davraz

Kartepe to construct accommodation facilities.

The T-bar was recently upgraded, and the ski run improved to cater for all levels of experience.

Mechanical facilities and running tracks: The older T bar facility was upgraded to 1700 meters in 2000 and the track was improved in order to provide a better skiing environment to beginner and advanced skiers.

ERZINCAN – Bolkar Around 40km from Erzincan in North

Eastern Anatolia, the Bolkar Ski Resort is in the Bolkar Mountains. The centre has a ski lodge, T-bar and baby-lift. The ski run is around 1.1km long and 200m wide, with a gradient of 20% and is a medium/hard level.

Isparta-Davraz The Davraz Ski Centre is in the Western Mediterranean, 26km from the centre of Isparta. The ski lodge has a capacity of 50 beds, and has a large restaurant.

Other hotels in the centre of Isparta

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

or the Egirdir area are also convenient.

The chair-lift starts at an altitude of 1674m and ascends to 1961m, and the ski runs are 4km long.

Izmir - Ödemis - Bozdag Bozdag Ski Resort is near Odemis, 110km southeast of Izmir. The ski areas are at an altitude of between 1700 – 2157m and the northern slopes are suitable for alpine discipline. Accommodation facilities are under construction.

February 2011

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Meet & Eat

Turkish Cuisine represented at Sydney International Food Festival

T

urkish Cuisine was the highlight of Crave Sydney international Food Festival 2010, one of world’s most prestigious culinary events.

Renowned Turkish Chefs Musa Dagdeviren of Ciya and Mehmet Gurs of Mikla joined Turkish chefs in Australia, Somer Sivrioglu of Efendy and Ismail Tosun of Gigibaba.

Ozden Ozsabuncuoglu of Gaziantep University also gave a seminar on Gaziantep cuisine together with cookbook author Leanne kitchen publishing a book on Turkish Cuisine.

The festival attracted a huge crowd with more than 600 individual event listings, Sydney’s biggest food month has had everyone talking.

The opening event, an exclusive appearance by the world’s number one chef, René Redzepi, at Sydney Opera House, was an outstanding success.

The prestigious World Chef Showcase

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took place in Star City over two days where Turkish Chefs joined 40 international top chefs from around the world to create an event to remember.

Following the event, the famous Turkish chefs also cooked for 300 guests at the prestigious Ivy room joining 10 international master chefs of Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Musa Dagdeviren held six sold out nights at Sydney’s top Turkish restaurant Efendy together with Somer Sivrioglu serving his famous dishes from Ciya Sofrasi in Kadikoy.

The event attracted Sydney’s elite gourmet circle together with chefs from all over the world.

is the toast of all food-minded visitors to Turkey. As a speaker at international culinary events such as the Culinary Institute of America and Madrid Fusion, Musa gets the thumbs-up from leading writers, such as Paula Wolfert, as the most fascinating Turkish chef today. Musa has a keen interest in regional food produce and producers and takes great delight in reworking regional techniques and recipes in his three Çiya restaurants in the fish market district of Kadıköy, in Istanbul.

Musa is also known as the custodian of a large library of books on the history and food culture of Turkey and is publisher of the quarterly food magazine Yemek ve Kultur.

CHEF BIOS Musa Dagdeviren

Mehmet Gurs

Famous for his traditional and superbly served Turkish food, Musa Dagdeviren

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The New York Times has called Mehmet Gurs’s food “forward thinking but deeply rooted and above all delicious”. In his upscale contemporary restaurant Mikla,

Mehmet combines his Finnish background and US training with a strong grounding in Turkish traditional cooking, blending the two in an extraordinarily approachable yet modern way. He has won Best Restaurant in Istanbul several times, appeared on many television food shows and has also written a cookbook. He has been awarded Time Out’s Istanbul’s Best Restaurant, Best Bar and Best Chef. He also owns a family restaurant chain called numnum.

Somer Sivrioglu

Spending the first 25 years of his life in Turkey, where his mother was a successful restaurateur, Chef Sivrioglu grew up around the vibrancy of urban Turkish cuisine. It is these early culinary experiences, combined with his many years in the restaurant and hospitality industry, that gave Chef Sivrioglu the inspiration behind Efendy Restaurant.

He is an advocate of real Turkish Cuisine

in Australia and share his experiences in his weekly TV show, Somer’in Mutfagi ( Somer’s Kitchen) on Turkish cable TV, UBI as well as on SBS radio Turkish channel program “ Lezzete Yolculuk” Journey to Taste every Saturday and a weekly column at leading Turkish community newspaper, Yeni Vatan Staying true to the authenticity of his vision, Chef Sivrioglu travels back to Istanbul, Turkey (European Capital of Culture 2010), regularly to ensure Efendy reflects the latest trends and stays true to contemporary Turkish cuisine.

to select and respect quality ingredients.

He started his first restaurant Eminem, in WA, where he won Australian Gourmet Traveller’s best new talent in 2006, then opened the tiny, back-to-basics Gigibaba in Melbourne in 2008. “I’m just a village boy trying to make a living,” says Ismail.

Modesty becomes him.

Ozden Ozsabuncuoglu

Ozden is a cooking teacher, food consultant and researcher who specializes in the food of Gaziantep, in south-eastern Turkey.As one of the oldest continually inhabited cities of the world, Gaziantep has a fascinating food history. One of Ismail Tosun the few books on the subject, soon to be Even though this young Turk works away published in English, is Gaziantep Cuisine quietly at his craft there is no danger of in Four Seasons by Ozden Ozsabuncuoglu. him flying under the radar. His constant Ozden came to appreciate people’s revision and revitalisation of traditional Turkish food holds Melbourne diners under enthusiasm for learning about Turkish food and the region of Gaziantep when a spell. He learned about food from his living in the United States. grandfather and, most importantly, how

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February’2011

33

Meet at Religion

Turkey Promoted Sacred Relics at Umrah & Muslim Tourism Fair

Turkey attended the Malaysia’s only Umrah & Muslim Tourism Fair with an 18sqm stand prepared by Turkish Embassy Tourism & Information Office in Kuala Lumpur.

Turkey promoted country’s tourism and presented Turkey’s sacred relics at the 4th MATTA International Fair Selangor - Umrah & Muslim Travel Destinations (MASUM). The fair is held at Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan between 14 and 16 January 2011.

Every year, about 120 to 130 thousand Malaysian Muslims go to Umrah. Turkey attended the fair to attract attention of Malaysians to the country and gave information of its sacred relics. Within this perspective Turkish Embassy Tourism & Information Office and fair organizer opened a photography stand to show the sacred relics Turkey has.

Mr. Ali Gülen; Tourism Counselor at Turkish Embassy Tourism & Information Office in Kuala Lumpur said that visitors and exhibitors show great interest to the photographs and visited Turkey stand to get more information about visiting Turkey. Gülen added that trips

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to Turkey has been added the Umrah programs of travel agencies with several options to choose from such as trips to Edirne, Istanbul, Konya… etc. before or after Umrah travel.

Chief Minister of Selangor state; Y.A.B. Tan Sri Dato Seri Abdul Khalid bin Ibrahim and President of Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA); Dato Mohd Khalid B Harun made the official opening of the Umrah & Muslim Tourism Fair.

At the opening speech, President of Selangor state informed audience about Turkey and its history, culture and advised Malaysians to visit the photography exhibition that presenting Sacred Relics in Turkey.

Mr. Gülen said, a total of 27,878 Malaysians visited Turkey in the first 11 months of 2010. The number of travelers in first eleven months of last year shows an increase of 16,82% compare to same period last year. Mr. Gülen added that the visitor numbers to Turkey from Malaysia is expected to increase in 2011. n

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Turkey to Host The 1st Annual Religious Convention and Holy Sites The 1st Annual Religious Convention and Holy Sites Visit, “Cradle of Faiths, Turkey-Aegean Meeting 2011” will be held in Izmir and Aegean Region of Turkey, from March 28th to April 3rd, 2011.

This international convention, which was projected by Turkish tourism professionals Rüstem Yüksel and Dilek Araç, will be a global gathering of more than 1000 participants and will provide a chance to socialize and establish networks between cultures and civilizations.

As it is known, the human being who increasingly gets lonelier due to the rapid development in science and technology in the present-day tries to overcome such loneliness in his spiritual tranquility. At this point, the “faith” phenomenon stands out and gives the life of a human being a deeper meaning.

The decisiveness of the faith phenomenon in a human being’s life has irresistibly reflected upon all the cultural products created in a great many aspects such as religious, philosophical, architectural and artistic fields.

In this context, Anatolian territories where it is called the Republic of Turkey at present accommodate a cultural diversity which is incredibly rich. As a matter of fact, these territories which Turks made their homeland for thousands of years were a cradle to different human communities and different faiths for centuries, allowed for their development and dissemination and acted as a host for the creation of tangible, intangible and cultural richness as well as great civilizations.

Indeed, three great religions of the history of humanity, namely Judaism, Christianity and Islam matured in the Anatolian territories which accommodated the greatest civilizations of the World and their effect disseminated all over the world.

Further, in this land which opened its bosom to those people who believed in different religions and sects during the historical process, religions and the cultures created thereby could live all together in senses of love, peace, friendship and solidarity for many centuries. As such colorful diversity bears

a great importance in universal meaning; it is a focus of interest for those communities of different cultures and faiths living beyond our borders.

In this sense, the meaning of different faiths in the life of a human being and the culture of living together shall be recalled once again and contribution shall be made to the amalgamation of humanity under the activities covered by this international convention.

It is the basic reason of this convention to bring together clergymen who are members of Monotheistic Religions who live in different countries and those people who have contributed to the world peace and the representatives of the international media corporations in the Aegean Region, which is one of the religious centers in the World under the said convention to improve the tolerance, dialogue and cooperation between the cultures and civilizations, to prepare the ground which shall assist in the settlement of any disputes, tensions and conflicts. n For more information visit http://cradleoffaiths.com/indexeng

Istanbul Hosted Faith Tourism Summit

Istanbul hosted Faith Tourism Summit 2010 which was held in Istanbul Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC) between 23 and 24 November 2010.

The summit is organized by The Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkey and Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB) within the framework of “Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) Project”. Faith Tourism Summit is organized with the aims of providing sustainability for Istanbul as an essential destination of faith tourism on international basis. The summit confirmed Istanbul as an indispensable center for faith tourism with the participation of representatives from different religions.

Opening ceremony is attended by Kadir Topbaş; Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan, Hüseyin Avni Mutlu; Governor of Istanbul, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Sönmez; Director of Religious Affairs, Ertugrul Günay; Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister, Abdullah Gül, President of the Republic of Turkey.

Speakers at the summit include: Bartholomeos - Greek Orthodox Patriarch Rav Isak Haleva - Chıef Rabbı Of Turkey Metropolıt Yusuf Çetın - The Metropolitan, Spiritual Head Of Istanbul And Ankara Syriac Orthodox Communities And Deputy Patriarch Korepiskopos Yusuf Sağ - Chorbishop, Deputy Patriarch Of The Turkish Syriac Catholic Church Jurgen Neubarth - Bayerisches Pilgerburo Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akgündüz - Rector & President Of Rotterdam Islamic University Prof.Dr.Vecdi Akyüz - Marmara University - Faculty Of Theology Prof.Dr. Dr. Bernhard Uhde - Freiburg University - Faculty Of Theology Prof.Dr.Murat Belge - İstanbul Bilgi University Rıza Epikmen- President Of Turcev Kevin J. Wright - President Of World Religious Travel Association Deniz Tüfekçi - Seventur Travel

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Meet at Culture

Ali Gurer Private Museum Ocak Köyü Kemaliye –Erzincan, Turkey +90 446 754 40 65 +90 446 754 44 50 ocakmuzesi@ttmail.com www.ocakder.org.tr

ALI GURER PRIVATE MUSEUM

A

li Gurer Private Museum was opened in August 1994, during the First Sultan Hidir Abdal Culture Fair, making the dreams Mr. Mustafa Gurer had back in the 1980s come true. In bringing this museum into use in memory of his late son he had also done something that, up to then, was never done: starting a private museum in a village.

After a two-year-long construction period, the museum was opened by Teoman Koman and Recep Yazicioglu, who were at the time the Commander of the Third Army and the Governor of Erzincan, respectively. There were many guests at the glorious opening ceremony. It made the headlines on local television&radio channels and newspapers for days.

Initially, the museum contained some artifacts collected and bought by Mr. Mustafa Gurer throughout the years, from various places and people. In the following

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years it expanded with the addition of many other artifacts from Ocak Village as well as the other villages/cities near it and finally took its present form. Donated artifacts are kept in locked display windows, with the names of the donator families written, so that the family names are also eternized.

The museum went under the control of the State and received an official status as the result of an appeal made to the Ministry of Culture on February 7, 1996.

Ali Gurer Private Museum, adorned with ethnographic artifacts, is built as a 220 m2, two-storey building and is equipped with an alarmed security system against fire and burglary.

The first floor is decorated with the most beautiful examples of local handmade copper art as well as some objects used in daily life by the donator families, and in the second floor there are predominantly

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ethnographic artifacts. The local life is represented within the agriculture, stove, clothing and dowry sections, using mannequins. Firmans, as well as earth and copper artifacts, are displayed in windows. The study used daily by the founder of the museum, Mr. Mustafa Gurer, is arranged respresentatively in his memory in a fashion reflecting his artistic activities.

Ali Gurer Private Museum is open all year round and visited intensely between June and October. This intensity reaches its peak in August, during the annual culture fair mentioned at the beginning.

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February’2011

37

Meet & Trek

Trekking Routes in Turkey There are many long distance trails over the world. Some of the well known are: • Appalachian Trail (USA) • Annapurna Circuit (Nepal) • Everest Basecamp (Nepal) • Grande Randonnee (Europe: France, Belgium,Holland and Spain) In Turkey there are also several long distances walking trails which are well documented and marked.

• Some of these trails are: • Lycian Way (Ölüdeniz (Mugla)-Antalya, 1998) • St. Paul Way (Antalya-Yalvaç (Isparta), 2004) • Atatürk and Independence Way (Inebolu-Ankara, 2008) • Karabük Yenice Forest Trails (2009) • Kaçkar Mountains • Others • Phrygian Way (Ankara- Afyonkarahisar-Eskisehir-Kütahya) Lycian Way • It is the first marked long distance trail in Turkey (1998) • It is the longest in Turkey (509 km) • Between Ölüdeniz (Fethiye)-Antalya • Thema: Ancient Lycian Cities Saint Paul Way • It is the second longest walking trail in Turkey (2004) • There are two branches: Perge(Antalya)-Adada- Yalvaç(Isparta) Aspendos(Antalya)-Adada-Yalvaç(Isparta) • It is about 400 km long • Thema: It tracks the Saint Paul’s footprints when he first came to Anatolia (Asia Minor) • Many europian hikers walk this trails Atatürk and Independence Trail •

•

• •

It is the third long distance trail (2008) in Turkey (135 km completed, still underway) Between Inebolu (Blacksea Coast- Kastamonu)-Ankara (Capital of Turkey) It will be 335 km long after its completion Thema: It covers the routes in which weapons were carried to Ankara during the Independence Movement in Anatolia in 1919

Other (underway) Trails • The Evliya Celebi Way (Iznik–Kütahya and Gaziantep– Halab–Urfa) www.kent.ac.uk/english/evliya/index.html • Sultan’s Trail International (Vienna-Istanbul) www.sultanstrail.com • Abraham’s Path (Urfa (Turkey)-Jerusalem) www.abrahampath.org • Carian Way (Milas–Mugla – Bodrum) • Via Egnatia (Brindisi (Italy)–Istanbul) viaegnatiafoundation.eu/ • Phrygian Way (Ankara- Afyonkarahisar-Eskisehir-Kütahya) www.frigvadisi.org

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Phrygian Way Project

By Hüseyin Sarı

Phrygian Valleys are within the borders of Phrygian Valleys: Location the modern cities of Turkey: Phrygian Valleys are within the borders of the modern cities of Turkey: Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Eskisehir and Kutahya.

Afyonkarahisar, Ankara, Eskiehir and Kutahya

nb sta

ul

Eskiehir Kütahya

Ankara

Afyonkarahisar

Phrygian Civilization: History

Antalya ygians came from Europe (Thrace) in 1200 BC and seized the control of of the region in central olia (Asia Minor)

y become dominant power in central Anatolia in the Early Iron Age (9-7th centrury B. C.)

ay the reagion is now known as Phrygian Vallleys

Phrygian Civilization: History

ygians invented the music instrument flute and held the first music contest in history

stanbul Ankara

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• Phrygians came from Europe (Thrace) in 1200 BC and seized the control of of the region in central Anatolia (Asia Minor) • They become dominant power in central Anatolia in the Early Iron Age (9-7th centrury B. C.) • Today the reagion is now known as Phrygian Vallleys • Phrygians invented the music instrument flute and held the first music contest in history

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Meet & Trek

Phrygians and Their Legendary King Midas It is believed that Phrygians, who were one of the sovereign powers in Anatolia in the Post-Hittite Iron Age, came to Anatolia through the Straits in mid-11th Century B.C. They founded a kingdom in the middle of 8th Century B.C. with its capital in Gordion near Ankara (Yassıhoyuk-Polatlı). Many artifacts and information were gathered in the excavations made here from the Phrygian civilization. They developed an original style in ceramic. These works embellished with geometrical design and stylized animal motifs set a model for many cultures that followed. They were especially masters of wood and metal working. It is discovered thatthe outer façades of temples were covered with ceramic plates decorated with colored reliefs. The Rock Monuments similar to the Phrygians temple architecture are their most important works that we have inherited. It is possible to see these works collectively around Afyon and Eskisehir. Phrygians are also the inventors of musical instruments like the flute and the cymbal. Today, many works in Western music are composed in

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“Phrygian Scale”. Also, part of the animal fables followed by children with interest are inherited from them. They have a writing system of their own, the origin of which and how it developed is not known, which has not yet been fully understood.

It is mentioned in Greek sources that Gordion was destroyed and pillaged during the attacks of the Kimmers coming from the Caucuses in early 7th Century B.C. and Midas, who could not stand this pain, ended his life drinking ox blood. The Phrygians are mostly known in Western sources with tales on their legendary king Midas.

Midas Tales in Mythology Father of History, Herodotus of Halikarnassos (Bodrum), talks of King Midas as a legendary figure of the world of antique age. According to Heredotus, Midas is the son of Gordias, the first king of Phrygia and founder of capital, Gordion. Midas, who is purported to be born from union of Gordias with mother goddess of the Phrygians, Kybele, became the chief priest of Kybele’s. He founded the big temple in Pessinus, remnants of

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which are near the village of Balahisar near Sivrihisar today, in the name of the goddess. He charmed the Greek world with his power and incredible wealth.

Herodotus, who tells that when he donated his magnificent ivory throne to the most famous soothsaying center Delphoi Apollon Temple, ancient Greeks became astonished, says that he saw this ivory throne in the treasury building of the Korint treasury building of Delphoi.

Those who see the other works with extraordinary wood workmanship found in Midas’s tomb in Ankara Anatolian

Civilizations Museum today, can easily imagine the magnificence of this throne.

The Midas tales that are part of the legends of Dionysus were performed for the first time in the jovial burlesques of Athens satires and have been carried to the present mostly by the tales of Roman poet Ovidius in his work called Metamorphoses. According to one of the legends, Midas took Dionysus’s friend Satyr Silenos prisoner and is rewarded by Dionysus since he treated him well. He is to have a wish from god in consideration.

Midas, who asked that everything he touches turn to gold, faces the risk of death from hunger as the food he touches also turn to gold, realizes the mistake he made. So Dionysus saves him by washing him in the Paktolos River running through the remnants of Sardes, the capital of Lydia near the Salihli district of today. It is believed that the wealth, which was then the talk of everyone, of the Lydian Kingdom came from the gold which remained after Midas’s washing in the

Midas’s Legendary Capital GORDION (Yassıhoyuk) and Excavations Gordion, the famed capital of the Phrygians, is situated near Polatlı in Yassıhoyuk on the bank of Sakarya River. There is the royal cemetery of the Phrygians, consisting of filled earth hills called tumulus just east of the Hoyuk.

The Gordion Tumuli are one of the most important necropolises of the antique world. The number of tomb hills is over 80. 25 of these were excavated by American and 5 by German gdouhz ir 1901.

These graves date to the period from the Phrygians era until the reign of Galatians, that is, from the first half of 10th Century B.C. until 1st Century. The graves belong to the nobles, lords and kings and are in the form of filled earth hills known as tumuli. The oldest known specimen is the

waters of the river.

King Midas in Historical Sources We learn the historical information on Midas from Assyrian almanacs, the Ancient Greek literature, archaeological artifacts and the inscriptions of the age.

Specifically in the Chronology written by Eusebios, it is stated that Midas reigned 738686 B.C. Julius Africanus cites Midas’s death year as 676 B.C. Midas’s name is also cited in the almanacs and letters of the famed Assyrian King Sargon II (721705 B.C.). In the letters Midas is referred to as Mushki King Mita. It is deduced from these letters that Midas, who was a local king reporting to Assyrians in Anatolia, was powerful enough his own foreign policy. Besides, he is a powerful statesman and a pioneer leader who allowed the Phrygians to live their golden age, who referred to himself as “Mita who did not succumb the kings before

me) in a inscription dated to 709 B.C. In his famous history, Herodotus states that Midas was the first “Barbarian” to send offerings to the Temple in Delphi. There is information that Midas married Hermodike, daughter of King Agamemnon of the city of Kyme (today’s Aliaga Namurt Port) in the Aeolis region in Western Anatolia and the issuance of the first coin was related to this event.

An inscription was found in Tyana (Kemerhisar-Nigde), Capadoccia where his name is mentioned. This inscription is relating to Assyrian King Sargon II’s activities in the region. It is believed that the Mushkis mentioned in Assyrian texts and the Phrygians in Greek sources are different societies living in SouthEastern and Central Anatolia with Midas controlling both of them. Besides, Midas’s name is cited on the grand rock monument in Eskisehir, Yazılıkaya. It is believed that this inscription cites Midas’s titles written in the Phrygian language in late 8th Century.

Gordion Z tumulus dated to 930 B.C. by the dendrochronological tests on its wooden parts. Inthe Gordion tumuli, in general, wooden rooms were built in the hole dug in the ground after the body and rich grave gifts were placed, the perimeter and top of the room was covered with stone and an artificial hill was formed by piling earth on top of the grave. Each hill belongs to one individual and the size of the hill is dependent on the social status of the buried person. The heights of the tumuli in Gordion vary from 5-6 m up to 53 m. During the 1957 activities of the American team in Gordion, the largest of these tumuli started to be done. Prof. Rodney S. Young and his team ,who reached the grave room of the tumulus through a 70-meter tunnel, were awe struck by the scene they saw when they opened the walls of the room made up of juniper tree timber, later established to have been cut in 720 B.C. There was a

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skeleton 1.59 m tall on a dead bed made by carving in a single piece out of the log of a pine tree 500 years old among the gifts that were eye smashing, in the grave room.

There were numerous dead gifts in the room. Among these were nine tables, two engraved separators, three large bronze crucibles, 166 small bronze pots and 154 fibulas. Most of the artifacts in the grave room are in Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum. Upon further examinations, it was established that this person believed to have died when about 60 years of age, is King Midas whose name is identified with legends. However, there was no single gold artifact, although there were hundreds of metal objects, in the grave of King Midas, who, according to the legend, turned everything he held into gold. It was argued tat the reason for him to be known as “Donkey Eared” was due to his head having been tied with his skull February’2011

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Meet & Trek changed backwards like in certain dynasty children in Northern Syria or due to his ear having been excessively hairy, after examination of his skull. His ending his life dramatically by drinking bull blood since he was in despair of losing Gordion being beaten in the Kimmer invasion in the first half of 7th Century when he was a powerful king controlling a wide geographical area in Anatolia with his well known wealth, has turned him into a hero of the legends of the antique world. Investigations were made in the Hoyuk and in five tumuli in the initial Gordion excavations conducted by Gustav and Alfred Koerte brothers in 1901 and the highly valuable art works which are preserved in Istanbul Archaeological Museums today were unearthed. The Gordion excavations of Pennsylvania University Museum, which started in 1950, lead to very significant discoveries and results, bringing new dimensions to information on the Phrygian art and culture. Most of the artificts found in American excavations are on display in Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum with some of them on exhibition in the

by Gordion when he spent the winter in Gordion in 333 B.C., cutting it off by his sword. No trace or remnant has been found on this temple building in which King Gordion’s legendary cart and knot were preserved, until now. The Phrygian settlement which is a flat hoyuk, is just east of the Sakarya River. American excavators have undug a monumental door and many buildings and homes belonging to the royal family and remnants

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local museum in Gordion. There were excavations made for 16 seasons by Rodney S. Young from 1950 to 1973 under the Gordion Project. Excavation work, which started again in 1988 after his tragic death in a traffic accident in 1974, is being pursued headed by Mary M. Voigt and Kenneth Sams.

The artificts unearthed in the German and American excavations have shown that the Phrygian capital did not date before mid 8th Century B.C. Gordion had its brightest period between 725 and 675 B.C. This period coincides with King Midas and his reign cited as “Mita of Mushkies” in Assyrian King Sargon’s almanacs covering 717-709 B.C. Although Gordion was invaded by the Kimmers in early 7th Century, the artifacts discovered in the hoyuk and certain tumuli indicate that the city lived in wealth until the end of 6th Century B.C. Gordion was under Persian rulestarting from mid 6th Century until arrival of Alexander the Great. During Persian rule, the old Phrygian cities lost their significance and as development shifted towards the west, main Phrygian

of city walls. All these are dated to the brightestperiod of the Phrygian Kingdom (M.Ö. 725-667). The part 9 m high, made of soft limestone, is preserved until today with the Phrygian city gate which is a monumental entrance having been built in late 8th Century B.C. The main entrance to the city is provided by a 9 m wide, 23m long open crossing. The city gate, which is connected to this narrow and long crossing, is similar to the one in Troy.

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settlements preserved their importance in the region between Eskisehir and Afyon.

According to antique sources, Alexander the Great untied the famous knot tied

Phrygian Art and Civilization Two main styles draw attention in the Phrygian ceramic specimens discovered so far. In general, in the area from the Konya planes in the east up to the Toros Mountains, ceramic specimens with geometrical animals and decorations that are multi-colored, known as Alisar IV style and in the western region covering Eskisehir, Afyon and Ankara, mostly gray or red, single-colored ceramics were found.

There are also multicolored vessels with various designs in Gordion.

Although it is accepted that the Phrygians came to Anatolia in mid-11th Century B.C. after destruction of Troy VIIIa, no evidence has yet been found proving that they were present in Anatolia before 750 B.C. It is suggested that the Phrygian Kingdom was founded by Gordios in the middle of 8th Century B.C. This date also supports the chronology derived from examination of ceramic ware. Ekrem Akurgal has divided the Phrygian art into five phases according to the iconographical and style characteristics of the archaeological artifacts.

1- Early Phase (750-730 B.C.), 2- Transition Phase (730-725 B.C.), 3- Maturity Phase (725-650 B.C.), 4- Subgeometric Phase (650-575 B.C.), 5- Late Phrygian Style (575300 B.C.).

Silhouette figured vases define the first phase of the Phrygian ceramic art. The main elements seen on silhouette style vessels are the characteristics of the Hellenic geometric vases; this means separation of the lower section from the section with no pictures by a strip, metop composition, silhouette figures, small circles with dots at the center, rays, motifs seen in the Hellenical geometric art.

According to Akurgal, that no early style is found in Gordion but that the mature style first appears in Alisar, gaining new

characteristics in Gordion all bring to mind that the capital of the Phrygian state may have been moved from Alisar to Gordion.

As a hypothesis, it is argued that Gordios first had a state in Alisar but founded Gordion later against potential Assyrian assault.

The Hellenic influence is more prominent in the mature style. In fact, certain vessel forms are very reminiscent of the Attika Geometric specimens. Many vessel forms have the shapes of late Bronze Age and Buckel-ceramic vase forms. Still, in the bright period of the Mature style, the Phrygian ceramic art has developed interesting and original vessel forms.

Applying detailed print designs on vessel surfaces in the Iron Age Inner Anatolia ceramics is recognized as a Phrygian attribute. In great probability, this decoration technique stems from the Phrygians being of south-east European origin. Print designed pottery is prevalent in Thrace during the Late Bronze Age until Iron Age and certain specimens found is Thrace are reminiscent of the types found in Gordion. The Phrygian print motifs are varied and basic forms are triangles, square-rectangles, circles, chevrons and spirals. There are close ties between the early Phrygian period painted vessels and the widespread vase tradition extending from Central Anatolia to North Syria. The artists who painted the Phrygian vases also

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created works in all standard vessel shapes beside single-handled kitchen vessels and large earthen jars. Various geometric motifs are found on painted Phrygian vessels. The ones used most frequently are shaded triangles, chevron chains and meander decorations. Chevron and X panels are the majority among widespread panel motifs. Shaded and checker motifs are found both in rows and in panels. The characteristic building type of the Phrygian architecture is “megaron”. It is established that the outer façades of the monumental megarons believed to have been used as temples were covered with ceramic plates decorated with colored reliefs. Geometric figures, plant motifs, human, mortar and cart motifs are observed on these ceramic covering plates found in Gordion, City of Midas, Pazarlı, Bogazköy and Düver.

The rock inscription found in Germanos (today Soguk Çam), Bitinia in 1966 is the longest ancient Phrygian text that has reached the present. Artifacts from this interesting civilization are today found in Istanbul Archaeological Museum, Ankara Anatolian Civilizations Museum, Gordion Museum near Polatlı and in Eskisehir, Afyon and Antalya Museums. The Phrygian Rock Monuments and Castles found on the Phrygian plateu between Eskisehir-Afyon, each more significant than the other face extensive destruction today.

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Meet & Trek

Phrygian Valley: Geology

Phrygian Way Project

• Greater part of the region is covered by volcanic tuff (Mount Turkmen) so it is easy to carve out stones to build tempels and monument • There are many open-air tamples, monuments, natural rock formation, earth pillar (fairy chimneys) and rock-cut churches (similar formations which can be seen in Cappadocia which is another well known places in central Anatolia, Turkey)

In this project it is aimed to open and mark a walking route based on the Ancient Phrygians used in the Phrygian Valley bordered by Afyonkarahisar, Eskisehir Phrygian Way-Project and Kütahya cities in central Anatolia Hüseyin Sarı (Assoc. Prof. Dr. ) in modern Turkey. The route will be Songül Sonal (Prof. Dr.) approximately 400 km long and marked Naci Beytekin (Mech. Engineer with the internationally recognized road sign known as Grande Randonne style.

With this project the ancient roads, world cultural heritages, and the natural beauties in the valley will conveniently be seen by visitors and hikers. It is believed that the route will provide a comfortable trip especially for visitors who want to explore the region by hiking or camping and it will promote the valley’s other hidden values as well.

Purpose: To establish a trekking route to help hikers and visitors to see Phrygian monuments and natural beuties in the valley more efficiently and safely.

• It is long distance walking trail through the Valleys It will be: • about 400 km long • marked with international standarts and documented

Phrygian Civilization • Gordion (near Ankara) was the capital of Phrygians • The city Midas was the religious metropolis of the region (Cult center of Phrygians)

Phrygian Valleys: Landscape There are mainly two rivers in the region Sakarya river (sangarious) Porsuk river (Tembris) The valley is very peacfull, has unique atmosphere.

It is open museum, culture and nature are mixed.

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

• completed in the Fall of 2011 Upon completion it will be (almost) possible to walk from north cost of Turkey to the south cost (with existing trails)

Team

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

September’2010

45

MICE Destinations

ANTALYA

In the picturesque old quarter of Kaleici, narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses abut the ancient city walls. Since its founding in the second century B.C., Antalya has been continuously inhabited.

The region, bathed In sunshine 300 days of the year, is a paradise of sun-bathing, swimming and sports activities like windsurfing, water skiing, sailing, mountain climbing and hunting. If you come to Antalya in March or April, in the mornings you can ski the slopes and in the afternoons swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean.

Important historical sites await your discovery amid a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus groves, and palm, avocado and banana

plantations. The Turquoise Coast is the tourism capital of Turkey.

Its full range of accommodations, about 35 000 delegates, sunny climate, variety of excursions and activities, and its warm hospitality make it a sought-after venue for meetings and conferences. The Antalya Covention Bureau, ACB, is an independant, non-profit making organisation. Founded in 1995 as an off-shoot of the Antalya Promotion Foundation (ATAV) which has became a member of the European Federation of Conference Towns (EFCT)in1997. More information; A Culture, Exhibition and Congress Center was opened in 1996 in the Konyaalti Quarter. The Congress hall itself is in a glass pyramid.

City At a Glance Population: 1.132.211 Traffic Code: 07 Telephone Code: 0242 How to go Antalya airport is 10km east of the city centre, and has direct flights from Europe. It is well connected to other parts of Turkey, and daily direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara.

What to do With its palm-lined boulevard, internationally-acclaimed marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist centre in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also plays host to a number of sporting events throughout the year, like International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing competitions. The Cultural Centre, which opened in 1995, hosts cultural and art events in the fields of music, theatre, and creative arts. The main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many good museums.

What to see • Archaeological Museum • Truncated and fluted minarets • Hadrian’s Gate Old Harbour • Perge, Side, Aspendos • Düden and Kursunlu Waterfalls • Antalya Castle

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Antalya Name Number Total Largest Hall of Halls sqm Capacity (Theatre) Adora Hotel 10 1.681 1.350 Antalya Culture 2 1.100 1.000 Center Antalya Expo 16 65.000 6.000 Center Cornelia Deluxe 10 1.000 Resort Cornelia Diamond 9 1.400 Crystal Hotels 9 2.156 Dedeman Antalya 13 700 Divan Antalya 1 1.000 C.Center Gloria Hotels 16 1.200 Kemer Resort 8 2.871 1.150 Hotel Limak Atlantis 14 2.812 1.200 Hotel Limak Limra 7 1.300 Limak Lara 8 1.100 Lares Hotel 6 1.452 1.300 Limra Hotel 6 1.930 1.200 Miracle Hotel 10 1.200 Mirada Hotel 15 1.000 Mirage Park Hotel 6 2.145 1.500 Maritim Pine 15 4.168 2.575 Beach Porto Bello Hotel 7 2.353 1.250 Rixos Sungate 17 2.000 Silence Beach 8 2.812 1.250 Resort Sabanci Congress 4 4.500 2.400 Center Sheraton Antalya 12 650 Vouge Hotel 3 685 650

MICE Destinations

ISTANBUL

The former capital of three successive empires-Roman, Byzantine and Ottomanthe city is a fascinating mixture of past and present, old and new, modern and traditional.

The museums, churches, palaces, mosques and bazaars, and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows and slender minarets on the opposite shore you

understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. In addition to its unique historical and cultural background and innumerable attractions, modern hotels, exclusive restaurants, nightclubs, cabarets, bazaars and shops make Istanbul a superb site for meetings, conferences and conventions. Istanbul is fast becoming one of the most popular international congress and exhibition destinations. The opening

City At a Glance Population: 14.000.000 Traffic Code: 34 Telephone Code: 0212 (European side) - 0216 (Asian side) How to go Istanbul city has modern and new international airport, which is well connected by regular flights, with most important destinations in Europe, Middle East, ana North America with. Besides, vast networks of flights fly between Istanbul and various other cities of Turkey. Ataturk International Airport is 20 km from city centre. Helicopter service is also available between the cities.

What to do While in Istanbul there is so much to do and look forward to. The museums, castles, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. Being a cultural and historical centre, exploring the grand heritage of the city should be the top most priority. Shopping which can be a pleasure in the markets of Istanbul should form another important part of your itinerary. More than anything else a walk down the lanes and by lanes of the many bazaars in Istanbul can be a great experience, if interested in feeling the culture and lifestyles of the people of this amazing land.

What to see • Dolmabahçe Palace • Küçüksu Pavillion • St. Irene • Blue Mosque • Topkapi Palace • Mosaic Museum • Covered Bazaar • St. Sophia • Kariye Museum • Beylerbeyi Palace • Yerebatan Cîstern • Miniaturk

of the Lütfi Kirdar Istanbul international Conference Center (I ICC) doubled the capacity of congress facilities in Istanbul. The I ICC is ideally located in the modern district of Harbiye, at the center of the city’s business, cultural and commercial life, surrounded by some of Europe’s top quality hotels. Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) has all the contacts and information for your meetings in Istanbul. More information;

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Istanbul Name Number Total of Halls sqm Abdi Ipekçi Sport Center

1

Adile Sultan Palace Feshane Fair Center

Largest Hall Capacity (Theatre)

-

10.500

15

5.625

500

3

5.500

Grand Cevahir Hotel

22

-

2.750

Golden Horn Congress Center

20

86.000

3008

Istanbul Hilton Exh. Cn.

9

2.824

1.500

Lutfi Kırdar ICEC

21

3.000

4.980

Military Museum Culture Cn.

5

2.462

1.000

Open Air Theater

1

-

4.000 1.000

TUYAP Fair & Congress Hall

3

16.000

World Trade Center

2

52.000

WOW Convention Center

7

-

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

September’2010

4.000

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MICE Destinations

IZMIR

Izmir, historically Smyrna, is the third most populous city of Turkey and the country’s largest port after Istanbul. It is located in the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea. It is the capital of Izmir Province. Izmir is the inheritor of almost 3,500 years of urban past, and possibly up to that much more in terms of advanced human settlement patterns. It is Turkey’s first port for exports and its free zone, a Turkish-U.S. jointventure established in 1990, is the leader

among the twenty that Turkey counts.

Its workforce, and particularly its rising class of young professionals, concentrated either in the city or in its immediate vicinity (such as in Manisa), and under either larger companies or SME’s, affirm their name in an increasingly wider global scale and intensity.

Izmir is widely regarded as one of the most liberal Turkish cities in terms of values, ideology, lifestyle, dynamism and gender roles.

City At a Glance

Convention & Exhibition Centers of Izmir

Population: 3,627,098 Traffic Code: 35 Telephone Code: 0232

Name

How to go Adnan Menderes Airport, 16km south of the city centre, has several daily flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. There are also regular flights from many European cities.

What to do While in Izmir see the sights, the Arkeoloji Müzesi (Archaeological Museum), near Konak Square, houses a superb collection of antiques including the statues of Poseidon, and Demeter which, in ancient times, stood in the agora.

Neighboring the Archaeological Museum, the collection of the Etnografya Müzesi (Etnographical Museum) contains folkloric artifacts among which are fine collections of Bergama and Gördes carpets, traditional costumers and camel bridles. Situated on Atatürk Caddesi is an old Izmir house used by the founder of the Turkish Republic, the Atatürk Müzesi (Atatürk Museum) exhibits photographs of the leader as well as some of his personnel effects.

The SelcukYasar Müzesi (SelcukYasar Art Museum) is a private museum on Cumhuriyet Bulvari with a collection of 20th century Turkish art. And wander in the bazaar, sip drinks and dine at the pleasant waterfront restaurants.

What to see • Agora • Clock Tower • Kadifekale • Ephesus – Selcuk- Virgin Mary • Seferhisar

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The Izmir Convention & Visitors Bureau (Izmir CVB) was founded in 2007 by Izmir Tourism Promotion Foundation (IZTAV), as a non-profitable, independent of any marketing structure information exchange bureau. Izmir CVB’s mission is to promote the city’s rich cultural and natural assets and it’s great potential on a national and international level and is seeking guidelines and best practice to develop the city’s congress tourism.

• Pergamum – Bergama - Milet - Dydima • Kemeralti • Asansor • Alacati • Cesme

Number of Halls

Total sqm

Largest Hall Capacity (Theatre)

Aegean University Hall

6

-

1.000

Altinyunus Holiday Resort

9

-

650

Adnan Saygun Culture & Art Cen.

6

29.500

1.225

Ataturk Culture Center

7

-

800

Hilton Izmir

16

-

700

Izfas

5

-

1.000

Sabanci Culture Palace

6

6.000

538

Kaya Izmir Convention Centre

26

5.500

1.500

Sheraton Cesme

22

-

-

Swissotel Izmir

22

7.299

1.550

Tepekule Congress & Ex. Cen.

14

-

1.100

MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

DM companies

Ertugrul Arturo Karaoglu President&Ceo

Company Overview

Services

INTRA TOURS-DMC was established in 1980 in Istanbul to provide a range of incoming travel and incentive services. It is the flagship of the Intra Group, which is made up of 4 companies, involved in different branches of tourism in Turkey.

INTRA TOURS-DMC is organised in departments according to the regions from which incoming tourists originate; these regional departments are supplemented by a dedicated incentives department. Intra’s headquarters are in Istanbul, and the company has branch and operational offices located in the key coastal resort towns of Antalya, Bodrum and Kusadasi.

In the Istanbul head office alone a team of 50 dedicated professionals work year round, handling all kinds of operation from individuals to large groups.

INTRA TOURS-DMC has welcomed hundreds of thousands of tourists to Turkey from all over the world. Its initial success was predominantly in Mediterranean Europe. For the last 15 years Intra has started working also with North America, North & East Europe and the Middle East Markets and looking forward to expanding to Asia and Russia.

Intra is a member of the Turkish Travel Agents Association (TURSAB) with rankings in the top 20 in terms of annual revenue. Intra aims to place itself amongst the top 5 incoming tour operators in Turkey by securing its position as the leading incoming operator from Italy and Spain whilst establishing a major presence in its newer markets.

• Incentive, Congresses & Conventions – a completely independent department catering for the incentive and meeting industry • Groups, Special interest & study tours • FIT programmes & seat in coach tours • B2B online reservation service for the travel trade • Operations in seaside resorts • Pilgrimage programmes & tours • Cruise charter & cabin rental • Flight charter operations • Tailor-made holidays • Luxury travel

Affiliations

Headquarters

Intra is a member of the following organizations:

Ergenekon Cad.62/603 Bomonti Sisli 34380 Istanbul TURKEY Phone: (90-212) 234 12 00 , 44INTRA - Fax : (90-212) 241 08 85 e-mail: mail@intraturkey.com - www.intraturkey.com

ASTA - SKAL - SITE - FIYTO and TURSAB

Executive Officers President and CEO Assistant GM & Director Italy Department Assistant GM & Director for Spain & Latin America MICE coordinator Director, Group & FIT Operations Director, Resort offices

Mr. Ertugrul “Arturo” Karaoglu Mr. Birhan Bilen Mr. Nuri Bulutoglu Ms. Pinar Gündogdu Mr. Kasim Basak Mr.Fethi Ocel

ERSAN ATSÜR President

Company Overview

Services

ORION TOUR was established in 1969 in order to meet the fast growing demand for FIT and GIT land tours throughout Turkey. Since then, the company has become one of the top leading tour operators in the country with energetic and well-experienced staff, necessary to run an efficient and smooth operation. Through Orion’s computerized systems and worldwide connections, you are assured of reliable and professional services.

ORION TOUR DMC has successfully arranged many meetings and symposiums and is, therefore, armed with a lot of knowledge and experience. ORION TOUR successfully organized the International Symposium on St. Nicholas (Santa Claus, Father Christmas) for years. This International Symposium was solely organized and managed by us and scholars from various European countries, U.S.A and Canada participated in this International Symposium for over a decade.

Only few years ago, the annual meeting of the World Council of Churches in Turkey was also planned, organised and successfully managed by Orion Tour. Furthermore, annual meetings and congresses for Wear TV, Lux, Citibank, Nutrimetrics, Shaklee, Shell, Hoechst, Ciba-Geigy, Panasonic, Eagle-Star, Hoover, Bridgestone, NATO-Conference on Education and Training on Operational Research, AIA - American International Assurance Company, Telcom South Africa, Thira Parma Phillipinnes, Sony Singapore and InnKeeper Australia were all carried out by our company.

ORION TOUR has and offers a whole range of well-experienced and reputable guides to meet and cope with the demand and interest of and to provide the comfort and care for our guests. Most of these professional guides are multi-lingual and we provide a whole range of foreign languages; from the common and well-spoken languages of English, French, German and Arabic to the relatively less frequently requested languages like Japanese and Chinese (Mandarin).

Wear TV – 125 pax Lux – 120 pax Citibank – 135 pax Nutrimetrics - 700 pax Shaklee - 1200 pax Shell - 850 pax Hoechst - 350 pax Ciba-Geigy - 250 pax Panasonic - 350 pax Eagle-Star - 225 pax Hoover - 195 pax Bridgestone - 450 pax NATO-Conference on Education and Training on Operational Research - 1300 pax AIA - American International Assurance Company - 225 pax Telcom South Africa - 150 pax Thira Parma Phillipinnes - 325 pax Sony Singapore - 125 pax InnKeeper Australia - 175 pax

Affiliations

Headquarters

Orion - tour is a member of the following organizations:

ORION TOUR - Tourism Organisation & Travel Agency Address: Halaskargazi Cad. No:166/3 Sisli 34360 Istanbul/TURKEY Tel: +90(212)2326300 - 2319570 Fax: +90(212)2412808 - 2414953 www.oriontour.com e-mail: orion@oriontour.com.tr

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DM companies

Ziya Dal Mice Dept.Manager

Company Overview

Services

Established in the midst of 1964 and covering all kinds of activities in the field of tourism, Setur Turizm is the first and leading tourism company of Turkey with its worldwide achievements. Rendering services to A and A+ customer segments, Setur, following the Super Brand title acquired in 2005 has been elected as “The Most Successful Tour Operator” for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 as the result of the survey organized by Capital magazine by leaving important competitors behind. It has received the “The Best Foreign Tours” award in the internet voting organized by Skal International, the long-established and biggest tourism association of the world, for the years 2006 and 2007 and “The Best Tour Operator” for 2008. Services rendered by Setur in the field of tourism are operating local and international tours, airplane ticket sales, organization of congresses and seminars and local services.

Furthermore, Setur maintains business partnerships with many international companies. Being the representative of Cruise Line in Turkey, one of the leading companies of the world, Setur is also the representative of Costa Cruises in Turkey which operates in the same sector and is one of the biggest shipping companies in Europe. Setur has also been the Turkey representative of Orient Express and Cruises Company since 1997. Abercrombie & Kent, the number one brand operating in luxury travel sector, has entered

the Turkish market with Setur beginning from 2007. Setur also acts as the Turkey representative of BCD Travel, one of the three biggest companies in the global corporate market. By incorporating the biggest on-line tourism portal of Turkey, bookinturkey.com, in 2003 the company started to expand in the internet sector as well.

The headquarters of the company has moved to a modern building located in Altunizade, Istanbul at the end of 1996. Setur feels proud of its contributions to the national tourism and economy with its travel agencies rendering diversified tourism services from various locations in Turkey, almost 100 authorized and virtual dealers, duty free shops and over 350 experienced employees. Having put its signature under many national and international organizations for many years SETUR Congress and Seminar Department has a significant place in the sector with its experienced staff. Available at all times for an excellent service in all organizations throughout Turkey covering ten to ten thousand people. Setur offers the following services with respect to congress organizations; tracking of participant records and booking procedures (hotel, flight, car rental etc.)/pre- and post meeting city tours, shopping tours or expeditions for entertainment-culture purposes/transfers between airport-hotel-congress/fair venue during arrival and departure/procurement of technical services/preparation and following up of printed materials/procurement of temporary staff.

• 14th ANNUAL NIBS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE • ARÇELIK Strategic Foresight Meeting • AYGAZ EPDK / TLPGD Meeting • CEN TC 19th Regional Meeting • BEKO BLOMBERG Built-in Launching • Republic of Turkey Undersecretariat of Treasury 9th IMF Debt Managers Meeting • KOÇ HOLDING Anatolian Meetings • 3rd BEKO International Authorized Dealers Meeting • OTOKAR Wheeled Tactical Vehicles Project Signature Ceremony • THE WORLD COLLECTIONS PROGRAMME – MUSEUM LEARNING AND INTERPRETATION SEMINAR • International PROVAT Conference in Ankara • TURKSAT Exploiting Egnos Galielo Services in Media Meeting • Sarp Border Gate Opening Ceremony • CEM FOUNDATION–Shiism from Past to Present Symposium • International ASPEN ATLANTIC GROUP Meeting • Turkish Literature with International Translators and Publishers Symposium

Affiliations

Headquarters

Setur is a member of the following organizations :

Setur Headquarters Building Baglarbasi Kisikli Caddesi No:26 Altunizade ISTANBUL/TURKEY Phone: +90 216 554 37 00 - Fax: +90 216 474 94 29 E-mail: info@setur.com.tr - Web-site: www.setur.com.tr

TURSAB, IAPCO, ICCA, ICVB, SITE

Feyhan Kaprali General Manager

Company Overview TekSer Tourism & Travel was founded in 1979 in order to answer the travel related needs of the business community. During the ensuing two decades, Tekser has become a major international operator, offering a wide range of travel options with highly competitive quotations for discerning customers.

Accustomed to being the leader in its field, TekSer’ s multilingual staff of 35 supported by a carefully recruited team of English speaking tour directors, guides, transfer assistants and drivers run its four operational departments.

The TekSer difference in attitude and performance is reflected in our motto personalized service at its best – Two decades dedicated to excellence in customer satisfaction and the experience gained preparing the ideal custom made programs

Services for such diverse guests as executives of major multinationals , conference delegates and/or religious study groups has taught us how to respond to our clients’ requirements efficiently, to be scrupulous in choosing what we offer and meticulous in the way we deliver them.

TekSer Incentives & Meetings Department, our standard bearer, has concluded quite a few international events, many involving globally known companies.

For us, a successful incentive lets your guests carry back home that sense of uniqueness, which comes from just having lived a “once in a lifetime experience”. Our job is to suggest, design and deliver the particular program to create that special effect.

• Organization of incentives, conventions,seminars, congresses • Organization of meetings for any purpose in uniquelocations - in historical settings, among natural attractions, exciting places, on traditional wooden yachts or cruise vessels…

• Cultural, historical, religious, archeological and other special interest tours • Museum and art tours, alumni group meetings • Summer or winter holiday arrangements, • Yacht cruises and charters, special itinerary odysseys by yacht and explorations including visits to Greek Islands.

• Skiing, hot air ballooning, adventure travel • Airline ticketing (IATA) • Hotel bookings and car rental

Affiliations

Headquarters

TekSer is a member of the following organizations:

Meşrutiyet Mahallesi, Halaskargazi Caddesi, Gazi Ethem Pasa Sitesi, No:112 Kat:4 Osmanbey - İstanbul - TURKEY Phone: +90 212 231 6800 - Fax: +90 212 288 2624 e-mail:incentive@tekser.com - www.tekser.com

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MEETURKEY Alternative Tourism & Incentive Magazine

an All Inclusive M.I.C.E. Destination & More....

Göksu Mh. Gazi Blv. No:531, 07310, Antalya / TÜRK‹YE Tel. : +90 (242) 314 38 06 - 07 • Fax : +90 (242) 314 37 23 www.antalyaconvention.org •antalya@antalyaconvention.org