Turkey may be popular with Brits and rated the best bargain holiday in the Med, but there’s more to it than beaches and kebabs.
Thanks to the expertise and local knowledge from operators and the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office, here are 10 tips to help you sell Turkey.
1. Give them just a little more time
Turkey is a popular retirement destination and many people have second homes there, so stays of more than 14 nights are common. Teleticket offers one-way tickets to and from Dalaman, and caters for durations such as 56-night returns.
2. Float your boat with a gulet
Suggest chartering a gulet with family or friends, or join a shared cruise around the coast. The boat comes with a crew to cook and sail, and luxury gulets have en suite facilities and air conditioning. Anatolian Sky, Exodus and Thomas Cook offer gulet cruises.
3. Mix sand with concrete
Twin a beach holiday with a four-day city break to Istanbul. Metak Holidays offers four nights’ bed and breakfast at the Golden Crown Hotel in Istanbul combined with 10 nights’ bed and breakfast at the Sheraton Voyager Hotel in Antalya for £769 per person in May, with flights, transfers and bed and breakfast.
4. Sail off into the sunset
Customers can learn to sail with a specialist operator such as Sunsail. Bodrum is popular for this activity thanks to the well-equipped Karada marina. Sunsail is poised to open Club Javelin in Bodrum in May, ideal for all levels of experience.
The operator offers seven nights’ half-board at Club Javelin for £689 per person in October, with flights, kids’ clubs and use of water sports equipment.
5. Trek it out for stunning views
Serious trekkers can explore Turkey’s inland and mountainous east, but the coastline is also great for walking. The Lycian Way, a 300-mile footpath from Fethiye to Antalya, is hailed as one of the world’s top 10 walks by The Sunday Times.
This popular trek takes in a range of landscapes and historic sites. Operators including Exodus and Explore offer walking holidays in Turkey.
6. Do it dynamically
It’s easy to put together a dynamic package for Turkey – easyJet and SunExpress fly there and hotels4u.com or bedswithease.com offer accommodation. On Holiday Group can build flight and accommodation packages. Try holidaytaxis.com or resorthoppa.com for transfers.
7. Take seniors by the hand
For older clients and those who want to see Turkey the easy way, there are many escorted tailor-made tours on offer. Anatolian Sky has introduced several for 2008, which take in inland areas such as Cappadocia and the Black Sea.
Cosmos Tourama offer a 12-night tour of Gallipoli, Troy, Izmir, Pamukkale, Agzikarahan, Gordion, Cappadocia, Bursa and Istanbul for £649 in February, with flights and half-board accommodation.
8. Roll out a bit of romance
For honeymooners, there are many romantic spots across the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, including Olu Deniz and its stunning blue lagoon set against a backdrop of mountains and pine forests. Couples can even marry here in a private beachfront ceremony.
Exclusive Escape managing director Andrew Lee recommends the Hotel Villa Mahal, which won the 2007 Conde Nast Johansens Award for the most romantic hotel in Europe. Alternatively, suggest hiring a traditional gulet for two.
9. Dish out some deals
Look out for bargains – all-inclusive specialist Wings Abroad has cut summer 2008 prices by 10%. Agents get £2 high-street vouchers for each passenger booked in January.
10. Have a head for the hotels
Hotels4u sales and marketing director John Harding said: “Do your homework on the hotel. There is no comprehensive official rating system in Turkey so it pays to find out more and not just go for the cheapest room.
“Check out the distances of the resort or hotel from the airport – Turkey is a large country and some of the distances involved are vast. The cost of a longer transfer from the airport to the hotel can increase the price of the holiday substantially.”
