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Incentive and Congress Tourism Boosts In Turkey

By Müge Emirgil
Turkey’s tourism sector has undergone an accelerated rate of growth in the past three decades. In a sharp rise from the annual 500,000 visitors at the end of the 1970s, 2007 saw 24 million tourists visit the country (12 million of whom came from EU member states).

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism

Istanbul's Most Revealing Market

By Anastasia M. Ashman*
I’m bouncing along in a stream of shoppers at a neighborhood pazar, or weekly general street market. Tented for protection from the hot midday sun, this narrow Istanbul road in a residential district called Ulus is lined with merchandise that wasn’t here a few hours ago and will disappear in a few more: rows and rows of olives in plastic tubs, stands of feta cheese, and wooden carts packed with squash straight from the farm.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism

Istanbul's Oldest Synagogue: Ahrida

By Büşra İpekçi
Jews, Greeks, Bulgarians, Armenians and Roma have all had a presence there and still inhabit the area in smaller numbers. Due to its formerly predominant Jewish population, Balat developed in a way that reflects Jewish architectural character.

February 14, 2008
Published in Tourism

Symbol of Turkish - Jewish Amity: The Zulfaris Synagogue

By Naim Güleryüz
A city straddling two continents, Asia and Europe, Istanbul is at the same time a bridge linking Eastern and Western cultures. It is the world's only city where for five centuries people have worshipped in peace and harmony at mosques, synagogues and churches standing side by side.