Doha, 29 Sept. 2022

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Turkiye's  geographical diversity, its numerous natural, historical cultural resources, the deep influence of its past and ancient Persian, Greek, Roman and Ottoman footprints, added by its trade ties along continents have all resulted in preserving the country as an amazing, fascinating, and majestic land for the wealthy and common tourists alike.

The country which connects Europe and Asia and shares its borders with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Greece and Bulgaria, is dotted by prairies, sand beaches, rocky mountains and forests. As per a recent Reuters report, Turkiye’s foreign visitors jumped 53% in July from a year earlier, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and paving the way for $37 billion in tourism revenue sought by the government in support of President Tayyip Erdogan’s economy policy.

A large number of tourists from Russia, Germany, the UK, and Arab countries flock to Turkiye, which is among the world’s top 10 tourist destinations and is seeing an increase in tourist numbers each year. As per one report, in 2019, Turkiye welcomed no less than 46 million visitors. However, the government of Turkey has set a goal to attract 75 million tourists. This goal is supported by the country’s various sectors including airlines and hotels that play a significant role in facilitating the tourist inflow.

A group of Doha-based journalists, during a recent visit to Istanbul, met Tarek Mourad, general manager, Four Seasons Hotels in Istanbul, who has in the past served at Hotel Sheraton Grand Doha, Qatar. Talking about tourism in Turkey, he said he manages the 170-room Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus and they recently opened – after major transformation – the 65-room Four Seasons Hotel, at Sultanahmet, in the luxury segment of city hotels that host guests from all around the world.

Mourad said they hosted nearly 350,000 guests last year, registering more than 65 percent in room occupancy. About the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on visitors, he said the Turkish tourism industry is booming this year and there is still high interest from Russia despite the war. “We will most likely close the
year with over 80% occupancy. This is by far our best year yet, both in terms of occupancy and also profitability and revenues.”

Turkish Airlines represents a dynamic gateway connecting East and West, bridging continents and cultures around the world. Turkish Airlines is among other airlines including Qatar Airways which operates between a couple of cities of Turkey and Doha. As per briefing from the Turkish Airlines, it flew to new records during July and August as the flag carrier increased its seat capacity by 14 percent while the sector shrank globally.

Turkish Airlines took off to the skies on 20th May, 1933 with 30 personnel and fleet of five aircrafts. The maiden overseas flight took off for Istanbul to Athens in 1947. In 1951 with expansion of it's fleet to 33 aircrafts added routes to Nicosia, Beirut and Cairo.

It was 1955 when renamed to Turkish Airlines became member of International Air Transport Association (IATA).

According to monthly passenger traffic results, the global carrier broke its pre-pandemic record on monthly passenger count by carrying 7.8 million passengers
each during July and August of 2022.

Prof. Dr. Ahmet Bolat, took over his role in January 2022 as Chairman, Board and the Executive Committee of Turkish Airlines,  said in a statement that, “we are the world’s biggest network carrier when it comes to seat count on international flights. With the effects of the worldwide pandemic lessening, global competition in the aviation sector continues at a higher level from where it left off.

As an exemplary airline with its performance during the crisis, Turkish Airlines was happy to fly to success after the crisis has passed as well. Our goal was to surpass our 2019 performance which we managed to do so with the efforts of our 65,000 strong work force; every member of our family contributed to this success”, Chairman Turkish Airlines added.

Touristanbul Program

Turkish Airlines Chief Marketing Officer Ahmet Olmuştur said that Turkish Airlines has introduced a complimentary package to it's travelers having 6-24 hours of transit at the Istanbul International Airport to discover Istanbul with Touristanbul program.

He said that the complimentary city tour provides transit passengers an opportunity to discover İstanbul’s historical and cultural wonders including Sultanahmet Mosque, Ayasofya Mosque, and Topkapı Palace, between their two flights.

“Citizens of 129 countries are discovering İstanbul with Touristanbul privilege; its program is prepared with the consideration of guests’ flight plan. With six different tours organised every day, passengers are able the choose the one that suits their flight times.”

Business Lounge, Turkish Airlines at Istanbul International Airport - State of the Art, Luxury, Comfort and Entertainment

Turkish Airlines Business Lounge has an area of 5.600 m² and can accommodate at a time around 765 people. State of the Art and unique in it's self houses 13 suites with 13 showers and a number of variety of live stations.

Rest in the lounge on comfortable couches and savor delicious, exclusive treats from Turkish and international cuisine. There is a wide selection of live international and Turkish cuisine from the catering areas which include fresh traditional Turkish pide and simit, a grill offering Turkish meat specialties, Pasta and vegetarian options. There are many unique designed areas  for reading books and newspapers, watching international channels and to relax in with a Turkish coffee or tea served with sweet and delicious.

It is equipped with the with the various games and large children’s play area. Business class passengers can enjoy golf simulator and a unique Hezarfen VR flight simulator allowing to fly over historical places in Istanbul such as Galata and Maiden’s Tower.

The lounge has six private meeting rooms designed for business people with the thought of every detail meticulously. Passengers has a chance to have a video conference or teleconference with their companies and offices while they are waiting for their flight’s departures.

Among other facilities at the Business Lounge include massage therapist (07:00-23:00), nursery room, lockers, charging units, ironing room, changing room, multi faith prayer rooms and free Wi-Fi.