Recent years has seen Turkey become one of the top ten destinations for travel in the world, with thirty million foreign tourists arriving in Turkey on average each year. Business travel to Turkey is popular too, but SITU has serviced apartments on hand to suit any trip.
After occupying Central Asia over 4,000 years ago, the first inhabitants spread freely across the land and two continents within Turkey. Centuries later though saw Turkey’s largest empire arise, the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans had worldly power for over six hundred years, controlling significant sections of Europe, Asia and Africa. Modernisation and new development, along with the defeats in World War I led to the empire’s demise. Despite the loss to Allied powers, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s leadership of the Turkish War of Independence and National Movement meant resistance to opposition partition. What follows is the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in October 1923.
The transcontinental country of Turkey acts a connecting gateway between Europe and Asia. The narrow strait named Bosporus acts as a boundary, separating both the two continents and Turkey. Europe’s Greece and Bulgaria border in the northwest, Georgia and Armenia in the northeast, whilst the Asian states Syria, Iraq and Iran border the southeastern region. Around eighty million people inhabit Turkey, but its capital Ankara only consists of around five million. Turkey’s most popular travel destination is Istanbul, home to around fifteen million people. Istanbul is split by the Bosporus and attracts millions of business travellers from both continents. Whereas Ankara is the central, cosmopolitan city of Turkey’s economy. Serviced apartments in both these cities are fantastic enablers of relaxing business travel.
Turkey ranks as the sixth largest economy in Europe and the 16th largest in the world. Its unique geographical location makes the country interesting for transcontinental business, with access to the economic benefits of both Europe and Asia. Just west of Europe, the largest energy consumer, having more than seventy per cent of the world’s proven primary energy reserves makes Turkey an energy cornerstone in the region. Trading is also substantial to the national economy and has a heavy reliance on exports. Turkey is a net exporter of agricultural products, the third largest exporter of tobacco and a significant producer of hazelnuts.
Despite a recent economy hiccup, Turkey still provides plenty of profitable business opportunities that foreign investment can take advantage of. The government prioritise infrastructure projects, particularly in transport, knowing that it supports a business lifestyle. This also more specifically aims to assist the ever-growing domestic market. Annual tourists have increased by 25 million over the last fifteen years, and this bodes well for a variety of overseas companies. Reduction and partial exemption from corporate income tax is just another incentive on offer to foreign businesses. There's no surprise the economy has encouraged the construction of serviced apartments in recent times.
Driving in Turkey grants added travel freedom that public transport cannot always provide. Drive on the right side of the road, bring your national driving license, and you should have no problems driving through Turkey. For any doubts, visit www.rhinocarhire.com for any more information. If you do not fancy the potential risks of driving, taxis are an easily accessible alternative. Drivers have been known to try overcharging tourists though, so be sure to always check the meters. Make sure to pay in Turkish Lira too, to avoid exchange rate expenses and hassle. One pound sterling and euro equate to just over six Turkish Lira (₺), but be sure to check www.xe.com for the current Lira exchange rates.
To avoid any trouble during your stay, just respect the Turkish culture and their traditions. Simple procedures such as dressing modestly around religious sites and not photographing military establishments avoid confrontation. Otherwise, Turkish law is not abnormal, but be sure to keep identification on you just in case anything does happen. Visit www.gov.uk for more information.
Seventy-eight countries do not require visas for entry to Turkey, but these do not include the residents of the UK, US, Australia or Canada. Some EU countries such as Italy, Germany and France can enter for ninety days without a visa, but otherwise, most other EU residents can apply for a ninety-day E-Visa. It's worth visiting the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to be sure of visa exemptions.
Turkey’s illustrious, captivating history is best expressed by the glorious remnants found in the former Ottoman empire’s heart, Istanbul. The city was previously known as Constantinople, starting in Byzantine times, and Aya Sofya is the greatest remnant of this era. This cherished church in Istanbul was traditionally regarded as the ‘official centre of the world’. In contrast, the Topkapı Palace showcases Ottoman heritage. The empire’s sultans ruled from this dazzling palace up until the 19th century. These fragments of Turkish history are a minuscule part of what Istanbul has available for tourists, and our corporate accommodation can assist your exploration.
Visitors should not disregard the Turkish landscape and countryside though. For instance, the western town of Pamukkale is a must visit. Known for its clear thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces, Pamukkale is one of Turkey’s natural wonders. The Mediterranean coastline is not far either, ideal for the explorative types. Crammed with islands, tiny white beaches and sun-soaking spots, you cannot go wrong with Turkey’s own outlook onto the stunning Mediterranean Sea.
It's hard to put into a short amount of words what Turkey can offer for corporate travellers. The landscape is brimming with cultural, historic remnants and the major cities are fantastic symbols of the country’s economic progression. No one recognises this potential more than Situ, so be sure to book our convenient Turkish corporate accommodation.
Turkey’s easily biggest airport serves the country’s largest city, Istanbul. It is located fifteen miles west of the city centre.
The city has a newly-opened airport simply named Istanbul Airport (ISL), which will become (October 29th) Turkey’s main international airport. Both airports will return in the meantime until this new airport inherits the previous airport’s scheduled flights. The new airport is planned to be the largest in the world.
This state-owned national company is responsible for the rail network that covers a large part of the country and connects all major cities. Constructions are now underway to improve the national rail network even further.
Overnight and high-speed trains are frequent, making quick travel around Turkey easy. Train tickets are considerably cheaper than bus fares. Train Tour cards are available at the major stations, which enable passengers unlimited travel through Turkish inner-city station for a month.
Turkey’s bus system is regarded as one of the best, with new developments making them quicker, modern and more comfortable. Hundreds of companies occupy the system and provide all hour trips inside and across the border of Turkey.
Instanbul Seyahat is a popular bus company amongst foreign travellers, with services through Istanbul, Ankara, Thrace and Marmara. Outside these cities, Kamil Koç operates mainly in western and central Turkey’s major cities and towns.
Metro systems run in the major cities of Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana and Bursa. Construction is in progress to make some of these stations, particularly Istanbul, even larger and operational of widespread routes.
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