Turkey Travel Centre

The Turkey Travel Centre (TTC) is an Australian - Turkish partnership, with offices based in Istanbul, Turkey and Melbourne, Australia. The travel company operates a variety of private and group tours throughout Turkey and Greece. In 2013 and 2014, their achievements included Certificate of Excellence winner from Trip Advisor.^[1] They are a full member of TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agents), registered under the membership name of Mysia Travel and number of 6192. Their tours are also listed on the official website of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.^[2] Their staff-training program features heavily on the intimate knowledge of Turkey, including the culture and traditions. Turkey Travel Centre also operate a 24-hour, seven days a week telephone line to ensure their customers can access them at all times. The last two years have seen the Turkey Travel Centre, launch themselves on social media platforms, such as Facebook, to accommodate easy communication with their clients.^[3]

Turkey Travel Centre houses one of the top Turkey Travel Blogs around the world. The blog provides insider information about Turkey and in depth travel information.

History

The company first started trading in 1998 under the trade name of Mysia Travel. They expanded to form the Turkey Travel Centre, with a partnership office based in Melbourne, Australia. Their main aim with the partnership was to promote the Gallipoli region for its connection to Anzac Cove.

This area was the scene of a devastating battle in 1915 between numerous countries, including Australia. Many soldiers died and every April, the destination is a popular spot with Australians attending the commemoration services. At the turn of the 21st century, the advancement of the Internet and independent travel, allowed the Turkey Travel Centre to expand their products to accommodate mainly American, Chinese, and British travellers.^[4]

By 2014, the Turkey Travel Centre had formulated more than 50 tours operating throughout Turkey. They continue to focus on historical and culture travel, with a strong customer base in the Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus travel markets. They also encourage and support local artisans and cultural organisations throughout the country and have now, expanded their product base to include personalised and tailored tours.

Turkish tourism

Hagia Sophia during its time as a mosque. Illustration by Gaspare Fossati and Louis Haghe from 1852.

The Turkey Travel Centre has benefitted from an ambitious project by the Government of Turkey to make Turkey, one of the top visited tourist destinations in the world. The project, which was launched in 2007, is due to be completed by 2023, and it focuses on all areas of tourism in the country including health, sports, historical, food, culture, and spa.^[5] Turkey Travel Centre's products are proudly promoted by the Official Turkish Tourism Ministry web site.^[6]

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows Australians took a record number of overseas trips in the past year (2012).^[7] Turkey is one of the Fastest-growing destinations for Australian tourists (Turkey +8% 40,000).

Turkey in general

The diversity of activities and attractions in Turkey, are a lure for many foreign visitors. From the historical importance of the Byzantine and Ottoman structure of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, to the rather surreal lunar, landscape of Cappadocia in the Central Anatolia region. From the party and cosmopolitan region of Bodrum to the hiking routes in the strikingly beautiful Kackar mountains. The culture aspect also plays a large part as visitors delve into regional cuisine fused over the centuries by a variety of cultures including the Armenians, Greeks, and Middle East countries. Couple this aspect with the colourful religious timeline including Jewish occupation, the spread of Christianity, and the introduction of Islam; it really would take a lifetime to understand the country, its people, and beliefs.

Regional crafts and products

Each area within Turkey is well known and respected for a traditional craft. Bozburun on the Mediterranean coast has for many years been credited with the skills of handcrafted, wooden, Turkish gulet boats, while in the far East, the area of Kars is respected for its cheese. Visit Gaziantep in the southeast, and a taste of their home made baklava and home-grown pistachios is at the top of every "must do" list. Istanbul has taken the concept of street food to another level with their "Taksim Wet Burger", a steamed burger smothered in meat and tomato sauce; while visitors to Iznik should take time to admire the blue and white porcelain tiles of which many adorn the walls of old Ottoman palaces. It is strongly recommend that for every area you visit, research of regional and local products is essential.

Archaeological wonders

As the cradle between east and west, as well as the home of many civilizations, Turkey holds many archaeological sites of extreme historical importance. They include the ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus, the Christian cave churches of Cappadocia and the Temple of Artemis that was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Turkey also has 11 sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list and a further 52 are waiting on the tentative list.

Famous Turkish people

Turkey has produced many people who are experts in the fields of music, writing, art, sport, film, and business. Two names that are also well known throughout the Western world are authors Elif Safak and Orhan Pamuk, both of who focus on Turkish culture and traditions in their story plots. Throughout Ottoman history, a famous architect was Mimar Sinan and visitors can still see his work today in buildings such as the Blue mosque of Istanbul and the UNESCO mosque of Selimeye.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Turkey Travel Centre.

• Official website
• Official TurkeyTravelCentre blog