Latest news with #Ephesus
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Turkish Airlines brings tourism professionals together in Izmir with "Connect to Türkiye: Aegean" event
Turkish Airlines continues to bring industry stakeholders together to promote the cultural wonders of Türkiye, driven by the privilege of being the national flag carrier. The second event of the "Connect to Türkiye" series in Türkiye was held at Izmir's ancient city of Ephesus, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ahead of the event in Izmir, Turkish Airlines hosted approximately 200 senior executives from major tour operators from 90 cities worldwide, with programs in Afyon and Denizli cities to highlight the country's undiscovered gems. Commenting on the event, Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat stated, "We extend our thanks to all stakeholders, travel agencies, and business partners from around the globe participating in our event. As we promote the cultural richness of Türkiye and showcase its historical and contemporary wonders, their contributions to this mission are paramount." Initiated first in New York in 2022 to strengthen Türkiye's international brand recognition and support regional tourism, "Connect to Türkiye" events continue to take place worldwide, latest of which was in Osaka in April 2025. In 2024, hundreds of tourism agency executives were also gathered in Istanbul to explore Türkiye's rich offerings. About Turkish Airlines: Established in 1933 with a fleet of five aircraft, Star Alliance member Turkish Airlines has a fleet of 483 (passenger and cargo) aircraft flying to 353 worldwide destinations as 300 international and 53 domestics in 131 countries. More information about Turkish Airlines can be found on its official website or its social media accounts on Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram. About Star Alliance: Established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey. The member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United. Overall, the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,837 daily flights to over 1,160 airports in 192 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.
The Sun
14-05-2025
- The Sun
I'm a Turkish flight attendant – these are the things Brits get wrong about Turkey & lesser-known spots to try this year
A TURKISH flight attendant has seen many UK holidaymakers miss great spots and assume things about Turkey - including that it is just a 'sun-and-sea' holiday. Selda Bayhan, a senior cabin crew member at SunExpress based out of London Stansted, admitted that whilst many Brits stick to beach resorts, they are missing out on some of the country's best cities, scenery and food. 6 6 Having spent over 30 years flying Brits in and out of Turkey, Selda said: "A lot of UK travellers still see Türkiye mainly as a sun-and-sea holiday spot, and while the coastline is stunning, there's so much more to the country than just beaches. She explained that the country is "incredibly diverse", with "vibrant cities, ancient ruins, dramatic mountain landscapes and one of the most varied food scenes in the world". For those who love history and culture, she said: "You can visit the ancient ruins of Ephesus near Izmir, take in the cave dwellings and rock formations of Cappadocia, or see the impressive Roman theatre at Aspendos in Antalya. Or for the big foodies, "every region has something different to offer". She added: "In Gaziantep, it's all about bold, spicy flavours like kebabs, baklava and lahmacun. "Adana is known for its fiery kebab and meze culture." For those who love being in nature and the outdoors, there is also a lot to do. Selda explained: "In winter, you can ski at places like Mount Erciyes or just relax in a cosy mountain lodge. "If you're after more adventure, there's paragliding in Ölüdeniz, white-water rafting in Antalya, and kiteboarding in Gökova." The flight attendant did admit that, despite being popular, Istanbul is still worth a visit. The best TUI hotel resort according to Brits is in Turkey But that "there's a whole country beyond it that's still off the radar for many UK travellers". SunExpress currently offers direct flights from London Stansted to six different Turkish destinations — including Antalya, Izmir and Dalaman, as well as Kayseri, Gaziantep and Çukurova Adana. "It's a great mix that gives passengers far more options than just the usual beach resorts along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts," Selda continued. "Each place has its own personality." For example, in Izmir - a lively Aegean city with a relaxed feel - there are many great spots for seaside strolls and multiple pretty villages are nearby, including Alaçatı. In comparison, in Antalya, there are beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, mountain views, and the famous Lycian Way - which is ideal for keen hikers. Alternatively, if you're into golf, head to Belek - which has some of the best courses in Europe. Then there are places like Bodrum and Dalaman which are great for "switching off in a laid-back coastal lifestyle". 6 6 In addition, there is the gateway to Cappadocia - Kayseri - one of Türkiye's most magical regions. "A place that really deserves more attention is Kayseri," Selda shared. "You've got the fairy chimneys, cave hotels, hot air balloons at sunrise… and much fewer crowds if you fly straight into Kayseri. "It's often skipped in favour of nearby Cappadocia, but actually offers a lot of the same incredible experiences — just with fewer crowds." In Kayseri, visitors can still do many typical activities that Brits associate with the country, including hot air balloon rides at sunrise, exploring unique rock formations and cave churches and investigating underground cities. "The Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of ancient rock-cut churches with stunning frescoes. 6 "If you're into walking, the Red Valley and Rose Valley are perfect for peaceful hikes with incredible views. "You can also explore underground cities like Derinkuyu and Kaymakli, which were once used as hideouts thousands of years ago," she continued. One particular highlight for Selda, is that travellers can actually stay in a cave hotel. "The food is another reason to go. "Dishes like manti (Turkish dumplings), pastirma, and the local desserts are unforgettable. "And if you've never been to a traditional Turkish bath, this is the perfect place to try it," she concluded. The Sun headed to an all-inclusive holiday in Turkey with children's discos, family-friendly buffets and waterpark. Plus, the world's best all-inclusive family resort is under five hours from UK – with own theme park, waterpark & themed rooms. 6
