gomideast.com - Kaktus Travel - Turkish Travel Agent Interview

We are an incoming travel agency in Istanbul, Turkey called Kaktus Travel ( owned by Pera Air and Travel Services) and we are specialized in Biblical tours and special interest tours ( incentives , archeological tours , Jewish Heritage Tours ) . Our license number is 2713 and we are registered under TURSAB ( Turkish Travel Agencies Association).

Why should people use a travel agent instead of just going online and buying a ticket on their own?

Because Turkey is a country in which limited amount of people are speaking English ( lots of people that know German though ) . Also especially the packages that agencies sell are always the most reasonable and yet the most detailed itineraries prepared by professionals who know the interests of the people very well . Each itinerary has been prepared by observing the reactions of the travelers for years .

How is the war in Iraq and/or the Israel/Palestinian problem reflecting on travel to the Middle East?

Very bad . Since the people especially in The USA think that Middle east is one country and it's consisted of Arabs only , especially Turkey and Israel whose economies depend on tourism a lot are suffering .

What kind of clientele (where from) do you mainly deal with?

Our clientele is mostly from the USA and England . It's a pity that most of the people in the world do not know that Turkey is the land where the Seven Churches of Revelation were and the ruins of which still exist ( Ephesus , Smyrna , Philadelphia , Thyteira , Sardis , Laodicea , Pergamum ) . St.Paul was born in Tarsus which is a Turkish city today . He lived in Antioch where the word Christian was first pronounced and which is another Turkish city . All three of his missionaries passed through Turkey. Some other important biblical sights such as The Tomb of St.John, Virgin Mary's home, The Church of St.Peter in Antioch , Nicea , Alexandria Troas , Miletus , Collossae , The Psidian Antioch , Myra ( The birth place of St.Nicholas ) and many more are in Turkey.

Where are your people traveling to and why?(i.e. are people going to Egypt for tourism, or the UAE for shopping/business…).

The majority of the people who come to Turkey are here for the beaches and sea and they are from Germany , France , UK and Baltic Countries . Our clientele is different . They go to the sights where St.Paul had been to . Also they go to the places where the Seven Churches ( Book of Revelations by John ) used to be . Mostly to the pilgrimage sights .

Have you noticed any trends in travel to the Middle East from your area?

Turkish People like travel to Middle Eastern countries . Especially to Egypt and Dubai . Of course a lot of people from those countries and all the other Middle Eastern countries are traveling to Turkey as well .

Where should people consider going (where they currently aren't going) and why?

I think they should start considering going inland Turkey to places like Cappadoccia and Pamukkale because these are unique places . Cappadoccia is a place that was formed by nature itself . After the volcanic soil was eroded by rain , winter , etc. unbelievably pretty shapes came out . Also it was used as a refuge by Christians during the persecutions between 9-13. Centuries and they carved beautiful churches inside the rocks and painted them with frescoes composing biblical scenes . Pamukkale , the other place mentioned above means cotton castle because of the white cascades formed again by the nature itself . Calcium laden waters left the color white behind .

Should you focus on one country? Or is a package/travel tour a better option?

I think for people especially from the US it's better to buy a package because they come a long distance . ( Turkey-Israel-Greece / Turkey-Greece-Egypt / Turkey-Jordan-Israel ) .

How is traveling on land through countries?

Frankly to say traveling inside Turkey , Egypt , Jordan and Israel on land is safe because these countries are quite civilized and open minded . They are used to tourists and tourism .

What are the best times of years to visit the Middle East? Why?

The best times would be April-May and September-October because those are the best times of the year climate wise . Mild and sunny .

Sabahattin CANLIEL,Marketing&Incentive Department Manager
Kaktus Travel Agency owned by Pera Air and Tourism Inc.
Halaskargazi Mah.Rumeli Cd.Zafer Sk.No:15
Ugur Apt.D:2 Nisantasi 34731
Istanbul- TURKEY
Tel : ++90 212 233 39 85 ( 3 lines )
Fax : ++90 212 231 28 71
e-mail : sabahattin.canliel@peraair.net
web page : www.undiscoveredturkey.com

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