Turkey's Tourism Remains Steady

New Hotel Developments & Attractions in Turkey Continue to Rise

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. July 15, 2009

JULY 15, 2009 - Recently, Turkey has become a bearer of good news in the tourism industry. More American travelers visited Turkey from January-April 2009 than during the same period in 2008. As the majority of the travel industries continue to suffer this year over last, Turkey saw a 2.4 percent increase of U.S. travelers - at a time when almost every other major European tourism destination has seen declines in U.S. visitation.

In reaction to the steady flow of travelers to Turkey, new developments that may have been affected by the economy are on track for new hotels and attractions, thus increasing the tourism infrastructure of this captivating destination. Following are some of the most recent developments.

Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced its first Hilton Worldwide Resort brand in Turkey, with the opening in early July of the Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa. Located on the sandy beach town of Sarigerme, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, at the mouth of the Dalaman River, the new Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa features 410 newly appointed guest rooms, including 52 spacious suites, all with private balconies with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea or the Sarigerme mountain range.

Complete with its own private beach, the Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa offers a range of leisure facilities, including an integrated 7,175-square-meter health club with a state-of-the-art gym, one of the region's largest holistic spas, a leisure golf course, landscaped gardens, ten swimming pools and two tennis courts, a 650-meter private sandy beach and access to the Dalaman River, just beside the hotel.

Combining contemporary design and some of the latest in-room technologies demanded by today's travelers, the Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa also will cater to business travelers by offering year-round, flexible meeting and conference space starting in early 2010. For more information visit: Hilton Dalaman Golf Resort & Spa

Recently Opened Radisson BLU Resort & Spa in Cesme Joins Turkish Hotel Collection

Lying along the crystal blue waters of the Aegean Sea, the new Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Cesme is the perfect base for exploring the stunning natural beaches and landscapes of Turkey's Mediterranean coast.

The hotel houses 312 superbly outfitted guest rooms along with an impressive spa and wellness area, the Dulcis Thermal Spa & Hamam, four acclaimed dining establishments, indoor and outdoor pools, free Internet access, five stylish meeting spaces, a conference room and a night club.

Located in a coastal town on the westernmost end of Turkey, Cesme is a beach destination for travelers looking for a serene sun and sand getaway. Cesme has become a prominent center of international tourism, offering its guests marinas, shopping, restaurants, nightlife and beaches galore, less than 50 miles from the Adnan Menderes Airport.

The name "Cesme" means "fountain" recalling the many Ottoman fountains scattered across the city. Several examples of Ottoman architecture dot the city while thermal baths, natural springs and Cesme Castle provide interesting cultural and leisure excursions. Sports enthusiasts can ride the waves along the windswept coasts of Alacati while families can enjoy beautiful, calm beaches at the many pristine bays that grace Cesme's coastline.

The Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Cesme joins three existing Radisson Blu properties in Turkey, including the Radisson Blu Bosphorus, Istanbul and hotels in Ankara and Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. For information and reservations, please visit: Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Cesme

Turkish Airlines Continues Global Expansion with New Planes and New Service from Toronto

The success of Turkish Airlines is another sign of the destination's growing international popularity. The government-run carrier posted 12.2 percent passenger growth in April; a sign that travel to and within Turkey is outpacing global recession recovery.

Building upon this, Turkish Airlines has ordered 17 new airplanes; the first purchases under a plan to buy up to 105 planes over the next three years from aircraft makers, Airbus and Boeing.

Turkish Airlines also launched a new Toronto-Istanbul route on July 11, 2009 that will operate three times per week. The new service brings the number of worldwide destinations serviced by Turkish Airlines to 151.

Turkish Airlines recently won the title, "Best Airline, Southern Europe" as a result of the Skytrax World Aviation Awards 2009 evaluation. For more information about Turkish Airlines, please visit: Turkish Airlines online.

Business Travelers Delight - First Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in Turkey Opens at Istanbul International Airport

In June, Marriott International opened its first Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Istanbul, Turkey; The Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport. Featuring 262 chic and contemporary guest rooms the hotel is ideally situated near the airport, congress, and fair and exhibition centers such as CNR-Expo, IDTM and Tuyap, and only 25 minutes from Istanbul's city center, making this hotel an ideal accommodation for business and leisure travelers alike.

For dining and entertainment, Oleo Pazzo Restaurant offers delicious Mediterranean cuisine and Turkish specialties. Additional amenities include a business center/Internet corner in the lobby and wireless Internet throughout the hotel. A Grab & Go market in the lobby provides snacks and refreshments, including beer and wine, 24 hours a day, and the Caretta Spa which offers a fully equipped gym, 77-square-meter indoor pool, sauna, steam bath and four treatment rooms.

"This hotel is designed specifically for business travelers who want all the conveniences of an upscale hotel but in a more casual, open design where they can be totally at ease," says Wolfgang Koller, general manager of the hotel. "Istanbul is a thriving business hub and a world class destination -- the perfect location for this global brand."

For information and reservations, please visit: Courtyard by Marriott Istanbul International Airport