Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007 - (Page 34)

Turkey FOR THE AGENT PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO TURKEY FOR YOUR CLIENTS Recommended tour operators and hotels; logistical information and fast facts; plus tips for qualifying prospective clients Getting there: Those traveling from the U.S. will arrive at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (www.ataturkair port.com), the country’s major international airport that’s only about 20 minutes from the city’s most vibrant area. Direct flights to Istanbul are available from major U.S. cities; the trip from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport takes about 10 hours. The primary carrier of such flights is Turkish Airlines (www. turkishairlines.com), an affiliate of American Airlines. Turkish Airlines also flies direct from Chicago; Delta (www.delta.com) flies direct from New York; and British Airways (www.britishairways.com) has many flights from various U.S. airports with stopovers at London Heathrow. The company offers several packages including the Super Value Western Turkey Tour, which is 17 days, all-inclusive with air starting at $1,545. Pacha Tours offers agents a 10 percent commission. Osman Aroymak, a Turkey specialist, gives two consultations for either consumers or agents free of charge. After that he charges $75 to help customize a Turkey vacation. Agents can reach him at 800-7224288, ext. 9737, but he recommends first sending a detailed e-mail to osman@pachatours.com. The city of Troy is also recommended, although you will need to bring your imagination, as most of the ruins have virtually disappeared. There are but a few rocks scattered here and there, but enough to help picture the lives that existed thousands of years ago with the help of great tour guides such as Güris and another FLO-USA guide, Gökhan Alatas. Both are highly recommended. To request either, write to info@ flo-usa.com for Güris and gokhan alatas@yahoo.co.uk for Alatas. Tour operators: FLO USA (www.flousa.com, 407-756-2703) sends about 1,800 to 2,500 people a year to Turkey. The company offers agents a 12-to-16 percent commission, depending on volume. We recommend tipping FLO USA guides about $6 to $8 a day and bus drivers about $5 to $6 a day. Agents can call Cengiz Aras, president of FLO USA, at 888-435-6872 715 or e-mail sales@flo-usa.com. A smaller, perhaps lesser-known operator selling the destination is Pacha Tours (www.pachatours.com). Where to stay: In Istanbul, although the Pera Marmara Hotel (+90 212251-4646) has small rooms, it’s a find for its views (the higher you are, the better the view; request the seventh floor) and location, a five-minute walk from Istiklal Caddesi. For high-end clients, recommend The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul (www.ritz carlton.com). Book clients in Deluxe Bosphorus View rooms, which are 540 A guest room at The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul 34 Home-BasedTravelAgent SEPTEMBER 2007 http://www.britishairways.com http://www.ataturkairport.com http://www.flo-usa.com http://www.ataturkairport.com http://www.flo-usa.com http://www.turkishairlines.com http://www.turkishairlines.com http://www.delta.com http://www.pachatours.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007

Contents Editor's Note - Last-Minute Travel Publisher's Note - Communication is Key Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight Your Technology Industry News Hot Deals Home-Based Networking Preventing Legal Woes Destinations: Turkey Cover Story: Walking Ireland Destinations: Caribbean Destinations: Boston Cruises: Forecast Hotels Tours New Products

Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007

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