Cyprus, Greece & Turkey
Clockwise from left: Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Cappadocia and Ephesus
Touring Turkey T
Turkey may be well known for its beach holidays, but the destination is growing as a touring hotspot. Howard Carr discovers what is available
he number of UK visitors to Turkey has grown by more than 30% in the last three years, and while mass- market resorts such as Marmaris account for the bulk of that success, there are signs that holidaymakers are starting to look beyond the country’s beaches. Rich in famous historical sites and covering an area three times the size of the UK, Turkey has much to offer those who venture inland.
Group or tailor-made escorted tours are generally the best option for doing this, considering the difficulty independent travellers can have getting around this vast country.
These sorts of tours also offer agents plenty of potential commission from a sector that tends to be higher spending than traditional package holidaymakers.
Turkey specialist Anatolian Sky claims touring holidays are its largest growth area. “People are now going to Turkey for the third or fourth time and want to see specific areas,” says Anatolian managing director Akin Koc. “The country’s interior is a living museum of 10,000 years of history. “Turkey has more Greek ruins than Greece and more Roman ruins than Italy. “There are many important sights, such as the moon-like landscape of Cappadocia, the legendary city of Troy, the natural beauty of Pamukkale and one of the world’s most important ancient cities – Ephesus.” Anatolian offers a range of guided tours with guaranteed departures. Its itineraries cover most parts of the country and feature four-star hotels. Groups are limited to 20. Cox & Kings has two new group tours for 2011 after its bookings doubled this year.
Go east
Cox & Kings is one of the few operators to feature eastern Turkey alongside better- known areas of the country.
“Mardin in the south-east has become a trendy place for Turks to go,” Fleetwood says. “It has wonderful architecture and is on the edge of the plain of Mesopotamia.” He also stresses that accommodation and security in eastern Turkey are of a good standard.
“The big difference from other parts of Turkey is that it is very traditional,” he says. “While women can wear normal tourist clothes in Istanbul, you need to dress a bit more conservatively in eastern Turkey.”
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“Istanbul’s role this year as European Capital of Culture has caught everyone’s attention,” says the operator’s Europe product manager Michael Fleetwood. “Many people have taken a city break in the city and added on a tour to places such as Ephesus. It has given them a taste of what this wonderful country has to offer.”
Cosmos Tours & Cruises
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