Турция. Travel digest

The Turkish low‑cost carrier Pegasus announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase the Czech airline Smartwings together with its parent company Czech Airlines. The transaction, valued at €154 million, will be carried out through the investment vehicle Prague City Air.

According to a statement from Pegasus, the ownership change is expected to be completed within the next twelve

Located roughly 30 km north‑east of Midyat in the Tur Abdin region, the settlement of Anıtlı (formerly known as “Hah”) was re‑classified from a village to a neighbourhood after the 2012 Metropolitan Law.

The site is home to the ruins of the Mor Sobo Cathedral, which served as a metropolitan centre for nine centuries following the foundation of the Mor Gabriel Monastery, as well

At the end of October, Montenegro’s authorities announced a short‑term visa obligation for citizens of Turkey.

According to CE Report, citing the news agency FENA, almost 9 000 Turkish visitors have left the country since the rule came into effect.

During the same period, 194 visa applications submitted by Turkish nationals were granted.

Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) took part in the Eurasia Tourism & Health Expo (ETHEXPO) 2025 held in Istanbul from 26 to 29 November, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Maldives in Turkey. The appearance underscores the Maldives’ intention to strengthen its presence in the Turkish market and broaden its visibility throughout the Eurasian region.

ETHEXPO is one

The existing Ljubljana‑Istanbul connection operated by Turkish Airlines will be complemented by an extra service next year.

The new flights will be provided by Pegasus Airlines, the Turkish low‑cost carrier, CE Report cites the Slovenian Tourist Board (STA).

This expansion is expected to be welcomed by passengers, as Istanbul already stands as the busiest destination

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus welcomes December with a blend of waterfront elegance, lively entertainment and the signature hospitality of the brand. Guests can enjoy a curated programme of culinary events, refined gatherings and seasonal traditions throughout the month.

New Year’s Gala with Şevval Sam
The highlight of the season is the New Year’s Gala on 31 December 2025

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet welcomes the holiday season with a blend of historic elegance, refined cuisine and the warm charm of winter in Istanbul’s Old City. Throughout December, the property offers a curated programme of culinary experiences, seasonal rituals and celebratory events that showcase the unique character of this landmark location.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airline Tariff Publishing Company (ATPCO) announced a joint initiative to merge their solutions for passenger ticket taxes, fees and charges (TFC). The aim is to lower costs and provide airlines with a single, reliable source of data for calculating and collecting TFCs.

At present IATA supplies the TFC data, while ATPCO

IATA has released a new study demonstrating that the use of biometric‑based digital identity can eliminate the need for separate physical corridors for domestic and international departing passengers. The analysis shows that this approach can generate significant cost reductions, operational gains, a better traveller experience, and measurable sustainability benefits.

On 5 November 2025, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) presented its study on the economic contribution of aviation to the Republic of Turkey during the World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium held in Istanbul and hosted by Turkish Airlines.

The analysis shows that in 2023 the aviation sector generated approximately USD 82.4 billion in economic

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the findings of its 2025 Global Passenger Survey (GPS). The study highlights two dominant trends that are redefining how travelers experience air travel.

Smartphones are now central to virtually every step of a journey. More passengers are using mobile apps to search for flights,

Turkey’s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, has announced the restoration of scheduled flights to Sulaymaniyah in Iraq, a route that was suspended in April 2023.

The airline already operates flights to several Iraqi destinations, including Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil, Basra and Kirkuk. Adding Sulaymaniyah brings the total number of Turkish Airlines’ Iraqi destinations to six.

The Michelin Guide has introduced its new “Michelin key” awards for hotels in Turkey, marking the first time the guide has evaluated Turkish hospitality properties. After a thorough assessment, both Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet and Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus have been honored – Sultanahmet receiving three Michelin keys, the highest rating in the country, and Bosphorus

The two iconic Four Seasons properties in Istanbul – the Four Seasons Hotel Bosphorus and the Four Seasons Hotel Sultanahmet – have been placed among the Top 10 hotels in Turkey according to the 2025 Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards, both the US and UK editions.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are determined by the votes of millions of travelers worldwide, making them a

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) will host the combined World Financial Symposium (WFS) and World Passenger Symposium (WPS) on 5‑6 November 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey, with Turkish Airlines acting as the host. The event will bring together senior representatives from retail, finance, payments and digital‑identity sectors.

Sandrine Le Borgne, IATA Senior Vice President,

Set within a historic Ottoman palace, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosphorus will host a special French‑cheese tasting event on 13‑14 October 2025. The program is presented by Jean‑François Antony, the fifth‑generation master of the renowned Fromagerie Antony.

During a three‑hour evening, 40 invited guests will explore a curated five‑course cheese journey. The tasting begins

In June 2025, North Macedonia welcomed 126,415 tourists, with foreign visitors accounting for 79.9% of the total, according to data from the State Statistical Office. Domestic tourists made up the remaining 20.1%.

The total number of tourist nights spent in the country during the month reached 243,157, of which 73.3% were attributed to international visitors and 26.7% to local tourists.

Turkey

Some addresses are simply destinations. Others are time machines.

As the sun sets over Istanbul’s Old City, the domes of Hagia Sophia glow in rose gold light. From the private terrace of a suite at Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet, the call to prayer drifts across the evening air, mingling with the scent of jasmine. Inside, hand painted Iznik tiles catch the warm flicker of lamplight,

South-east Asian budget carrier AirAsia X is to restart flights to Europe for the first time in more than a decade.

The Malaysia-based airline will launch a new service between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport on 14 November, with four flights per week on the route using Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

AirAsiaX previously flew from London and Paris to

Turkish Airlines is increasing flights on the Istanbul-Bangkok route during the winter timetable that kicks in 27 October, while announcing that it will introduce a new service to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a stop in the Thai capital effective 10 December.

Currently flying 17 round-trip services a week on the Istanbul-Bangkok route, the airline will increase frequencies to 21 flights per