What is ECOC?
The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development.

A number of European cities have used the City of Culture year to transform their cultural base and, in doing so, the way in which they are viewed internationally.

After long processes and endeavours of many civil society members, Istanbul was found ready on 11 April 2006 for being the European Capital of Culture 2010 along with Peç (Hungary) and Essen (Germany). Conceding the view of European Parliament and approval by the Council of Cultural Ministers of the European Union on 13 November 2006 Istanbul was finally announced to be the European Capital of Culture for 2010.

Visit the official website of Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture.

Why Istanbul?
Istanbul maintains a distinguished position among the metropolis of the world with its unique geographical location and a cultural heritage of thousands of years. As one of the most energetic cities in the world Istanbul continually gets to be an attraction center.

What will happen in the year 2010 in Istanbul?
• As Turkey moves ahead with the process of its candidacy for the European Union, the projects that will be realized will demonstrate that Istanbul, the symbol of the country, has been interacting with European culture for hundreds of years.

• The city’s cultural heritage will be managed in a sustainable manner and it will become even more of a magnet than ever.

• Istanbul will achieve lasting gains in the fields of urban renewal, urban living and environmental and social development.

• New museums will be established to protect and display our cultural assets and historical buildings will be renovated, given new roles and opened to the public.

• People of Istanbul will embrace new artistic disciplines. Young talented people will have the opportunity to become more closely involved in artistic creativity.

• Jobs will be created for a large number of people ranging from communications to organization, education, design, management and creative fields.

• Those who come to Istanbul for cultural and artistic projects will visit the city’s cultural riches, mosques, churches, palaces and museums.

• Cultural tourism will be invigorated and develop. (Educated, cultured tourists spend three times as much as normal tourists. This means that, as a European Capital of Culture, Istanbul will have a great tourism potential.)

• Many people from the world of culture and the arts, together with members of the print and visual media, will come to Istanbul from Europe and different countries all around the world. This will make a positive contribution to the promotion and branding of Istanbul. Being selected as a European Capital of Culture will give a boost to the city’s economic relations with Europe as well as contributing to its cultural relations. With the renovation that will take place, the administrators and administered will join together, hand in hand, sharing their knowledge and experience, to develop a long-term sustainable model for the future.

• Istanbul local residents will be proud of their city as they further discover its beauty.

What do we recommend?
Make reservations for your hotels, flights and tours now for summer 2010. This is a very busy year for travel to Turkey and travel services there may be fully booked well in advance.

According to The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and World Tourism Organization, last year tourism to Turkey broke the world record for an increase in tourism. After receiving 20 million tourists last year, Turkey may host 25 million this year, bringing it into fourth place among Mediterranean countries, following only France, Italy and Spain. Turkey seems primed to be among the world's top ten tourist destinations.

In mid-May the pressure on tourist services shifts from Istanbul to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. Hotels may be fully booked well in advance for May, June, July, August and early September.

In mid-September the pressure shifts from the seacoasts back to Istanbul, where hotels may be fully booked for late September, October and early November.

On May 28th to 30th, Istanbul's Formula 1 Grand Prix auto race at the brand-new Istanbul Otodrom 62 km (34 miles) southeast of the city center will fill all of the city's available hotels, and even hotels in nearby cities. 

Especially hotels, but also for other services such as flights, tours, car rentals, sleeper trains, and hot-air balloon flights, it will be important to have advance reservations, because all of these services are likely to be very crowded, and often filled to capacity. 

Make your reservation as soon as possible to guarantee your place in package tours and individual hotel bookings.
Best Regards...

Best Regards...                                                                                                              MyTurkeyTours.com®  

 

close the window