“It is up to the government and travel agents to promote this country,” says Mr. Zekeriya Şen, a manager of FEST Travel, which specializes in cultural and historic tours. But, he adds, it should not be about attracting large hordes of people to Turkey by promoting it as a cheap destination. He believes that, with the right kind of promotion targeting the right people, Turkey could become known as an important cultural and historic destination for foreigners. “It is time for Turkey to be known for more than the beat and the sun,” says Şen.
The most important sector for the Turkish travel industry is international visitors. However, surprisingly, the average stay of most foreign visitors is only about three days, which may explain the myriad of three and four day package tours available in and around Istanbul. Germany supplies the largest number of tourists to Turkey, while Russians come in second and Britons third. Other tourists come to Turkey from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Iran, France, Greece, Austria, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Italy, Ukraine and the United States.
Touring companies, of which there are dozens to choose from, are delighted of course. To help you choose the best touring company according to your special interests and budget, The Guide Istanbul has researched a handful of excellent Istanbul based companies which offer everything from half-day guided walks to weeklong tours to suit just about anyone’s taste — whether you are just visiting Istanbul or are its resident.
Three of the most popular and recommended touring companies in Istanbul are FEST Travel, Nes Travel and Plan Tours. Each offers half and full day tours in and around Istanbul as well as custom tours, weekend and extended trips throughout Turkey and all are full-service travel agencies. But that is where their similarities stop. While all three offer tours of the most famous sites in Istanbul, including Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome (Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius, German Fountain of Wilhelm Il), The Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace and of course the Grand Bazaar, you are likely to have a very different experience depending on which company you choose.
For Cultured Creatures
For history and culture buffs, interested in learning while they take in the sights, FEST is the best. The company offers over 200 different itineraries consisting of cultural, biblical, study and educational tours led by professional guides including art historians, archeologists and other experts. Some examples of FEST Travel’s Istanbul tours are the Museums of Istanbul tour and its Jewish heritage tour.
In business since 1985 and owned and operated by Mr. Faruk Pekin, FEST Travel relies mostly on word-of-mouth advertising. Surprisingly, most of the company’s customers are Turkish (70%) with the rest mostly American academics interested in exploring the cultural and historic aspects of Turkey. On average, FEST attracts more women travelers than men, most of who are in the 45-50 age range.
For those who wish to get some exercise while exploring the city, FEST Travel’s unique “strolls” are a great way to go. Expert guides conduct full and half day walks throughout some of the city’s most ancient and famous neighborhoods including Galata, Pera and the Golden Horn, There are also special architectural tours which explore art nouveau structures throughout Istanbul, the ancient city walls and gates and a stroll amongst the historical architecture of Eyüp and other parts of the “old” city.
Outside of Istanbul, FEST Travel offers a variety of special eight-day tours throughout Anatolia as well as shorter getaways to places close to Istanbul including Bursa, Iznik, Troy, Ephesus and others.
(Taken from the article written by Stacie Leone / March-April 2005 – The Guide)
