Therefore, tourism gets its share. When you see the change in the shopping districts and cultural attractions in Istanbul, you may see just from the signs that it is becoming more and more integrated [into] the Middle East community,” posited Onur Kademoglu, director of sales and marketing, Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah.
Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah is quick to weave various offerings, such as special dining menus and exclusive luxury shopping packages, to cater to the Middle Eastern clientele.
As Cengiz further noted, the cultural and religious closeness between the destinations is very apparent.
“Turkey is the frontier facing the West, but at the same time containing the cultural values that are very similar to those in the Middle East,” Cengiz continued, adding that Renaissance Izmir Hotel cooperates with tour operators in order to create packages for Arab guests to showcase the country’s cultural richness.
“Middle Eastern tourists are deeply interested in Turkey’s rich historical and cultural heritage, especially in the places of interest and works of art related to the Ottoman period,” pinpointed Bulmus.
Arzu Topcu Civak, hotel manager, Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay Bodrum, reiterated, “Our guests from the Gulf region appreciate the Ottoman heritage on Anatolia and its impact on the Muslim world. It is a great privilege for all to come and visit these iconic heritage sites [...].”
As Civak noted, Bodrum is in very close proximity to several cultural highlights, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Ottoman, Byzantine and Roman eras.
“This unique melting pot has something to offer for all culture lovers. Our concierge has already mastered all routes and critical itineraries for our guests’ convenience and discretion,” she enthused.
On another front, Fahri Kurt, general manager, Umbrella Travel, was quick to emphasise that Turkey is located in the centre between the Middle East and Europe, giving the country a geographical advantage in attracting visitors from Arab states.
In agreement, Bulmus noted the frequent flights between the destinations, while also shedding light on Turkey’s well-preserved rich historical and cultural heritage, natural beauty, high-quality service standards, luxury accommodation facilities and wide array of shopping outlets.
Safari trips, yacht voyages, as well as mountain, canyon and valley trips are just some of the many activities that await holiday-makers, according to Metin Aktaþ, owner, Medes Travel.
Aktaþ also noted that each of the country’s hotspots has its own unique offering; one can for example visit the Black Sea for trekking, enjoy hiking and climbing, tour Ionia for a glimpse into the country’s old cities, spend some time at Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern or by the Bosphorus in Istanbul, or be mesmerised by caves and taste local cuisine in Cappadocia.
Bulmus was quick to commend the country’s tourism ministry for actively promoting the destination through various Arabic-language informative booklets and websites in order to introduce Middle Eastern tourists to all that the country has to offer.
