DOHA: Istanbul has emerged as one of the most preferred tourist destinations of Qataris. The number of Qatari tourists travelling to Turkey’s largest city in 2014 reached over 30,000, according to a senior official of Turkish Airlines.
“Istanbul has become one of the most favourite tourist destinations of Qatari nationals. We witnessed a remarkable 30 percent growth in the number of Qatari citizens who visited the historical city of Turkey in 2014 compared to 2013,” Mehmed Kursad Caymaz, General Manager of Turkish Airlines-Qatar was quoted as saying by Al Sharq.
Speaking at the airlines’ annual reception ceremony here recently, Caymaz said that Istanbul, the country’s economic, cultural and historical heart, was so popular among Qataris that many of them even spent their weekend holidays there.
He said: “Although there is stiff competition among the airlines, most citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council member countries, including Qatar, prefer to travel with Turkish Airlines due to several attractive factors, such as competitive pricing, promotional offers, luxurious hospitality and other value-added services.”
He noted that the timings of Turkish Airlines’ services from Doha to Istanbul and back were also important factors, as they allowed travellers to spend more time in the Turkish city.
Caymaz said that keeping in view the growing number of passengers the airline had started four additional services to Turkey from Doha.
The carrier witnessed 11.8 percent growth in 2014 over 2013. However, the airline’s overall passenger growth in the GCC region was 6.44 percent in 2014 over 2013.
During the annual event held here recently, the airline honoured its local partners and travel agencies, including Dnata Travel, Regency Travel and Tours, United Tours and Travel and others.
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