Travel Agent Comp

DesTinaTions ConneCting You. . For more information on hurricane one & only ocean Club, including contact info, visit travelagentcentral.com/turkey. One&Only Ocean club's here: a guest room at the ritz-carlton istanbul righT: istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, which has hundreds of vendors Planning a Successful trip to turkey by Joe Pike Recommended tour operators and hotels, plus tips for qualifying prospective clients GettinG tHere: Those traveling from the U.S. will arrive at Istanbul ataturk airport (www.ataturkairport.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. 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 2 | TravelAgent september 24, 2007 For Your Clients drivers about $5 to $6 a day. Agents can call Cengiz Aras, president of FLO USA, at 888435-6872 715 or e-mail sales@flo-usa.com. WHere to stay: In Istanbul, although the Pera marmara hotel (+90 212-251-4646) 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.ritzcarlton.com). Book clients in Deluxe Bosphorus View rooms, which are 540 square feet and feature Turkish- RESouRCES n Turkey’s Ministry of Tourism www.tourismturkey.org hasan Zongur, director of the Turkish Culture and Tourism office in New york 212-687-2194, ny@tourismturkey.org n inspired style and décor, a king-sized bed and an oversized marble bathroom decorated with Iznik tiles. Agents can contact Selcuk Degeril, director of travel trade sales, at selcuk.degeril@ ritzcarlton.com. Rooms at the marmara antalya (+90 242249-3600) 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. 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. 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 summer begins in May and the winter begins in mid-November. Turkey is usually seven hours ahead of Eastern n http://travelagentcentral.com/turkey http://www.ataturkairport.com http://www.turkishairlines.com http://www.ritzcarlton.com http://www.delta.com http://www.delta.com http://www.britishairways.com http://www.flo-usa.com http://www.tourismturkey.org http://www.flo-usa.com

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Travel Agent Comp Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Mexico Los Cabos Primer: How to Seel This West Coast Gem Contributors Mexico Deals Pacific/Asia Korea Primer: The 4-1-1 for Your Clients Asia Packages Caribbean Caribbean News & Notes Hotels Canada’s Tried and True Ski Resorts Multi-Generational Travel Tour Package Briefs and Commission Deals Cover Story: Sir Richard Branson Agent Profile Supplier Profile Agenda What Hurricane Dean Means to You Two Cruise Deals: How They Impact You Five New Tour Operator Agent Liaisons In the Spotlight Classified Marketplace Advertising & Editorial Index Trendwatch

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