Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007 - (Page 35)

square feet and feature Turkish-inspired style and décor, a kingsized bed and an oversized marble bathroom decorated with Iznik tiles. Agents can contact Selcuk Degeril, director of travel trade sales, at selcuk.degeril@ritz carlton.com. Rooms at the Marmara Antalya (+90 242-249-3600) in Antalya are very large and the bathrooms are also ideal. We found that many of bathrooms at other properties, especially the showers, are much smaller than they are in the U.S. This is not the case at Marmara Antalya, which is a five-star property. All three properties offer 10 percent commissions. We recommend calling FLO USA representatives for further booking information. and history. Another of his tips is that clients should stay hydrated, so alcohol consumption should be kept at a minimum. Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, which has hundreds of vendors summer begins in May and the winter begins in mid-November. More facts: Turkey is usually seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time; the country doesn’t observe daylight savings. Although the U.S. dollar is widely accepted here, the currency in Turkey is the lira (at press time, $1 equaled about 1.4 lira). Seventy-seventy million people live in Turkey, 15 million in Istanbul alone. The southeastern border of Turkey is shared by Syria and Iraq. The economy, as well as the climate, is worse in that area. The eastern area of Turkey is the highest part of the country and has 16,000-foot mountains. Ninety-seven percent of Turkey is near a fault line. However, the next major earthquake isn’t expected until 30 years from now. —JP Passports and visas: Both a passport and visa is required for U.S. travelers; make sure passports have at least six months from the outbound date before they expire. If not arranged ahead of time, it is possible for U.S. passport holders to get a visa, which costs $26, upon arrival at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Only cash is accepted. Qualifying Turkey clients: Here are some questions agent Karl Tibbetts of American Passenger Travel, based in San Antonio, TX, recommends that all agents looking to sell Turkey ask their clients before deciding whether the country is the right fit for them: Do you mind buses? Do you mind a full, hard day? Could you walk a lot? From his experience, the usual Turkey traveler is middle-aged, adventurous, in good physical condition, with an interest in antiquities RESOURCES I Turkey’s Ministry of Tourism www.tourismturkey.org I Hasan Zongur, director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in New York: 212-6872194, ny@tourismturkey.org. Weather: The seasons are very similar to the U.S. Spring runs from mid-March through April, with the fall season beginning around October. The SEPTEMBER 2007 Home-BasedTravelAgent 35 http://www.tourismturkey.org

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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