News

August 21, 2024

In Turkey, the festival "Cultural Path of Turkey" is in full swing

About six thousand cultural events are planned to be held as part of the "Cultural Path of Turkey" festival. Some of the activities have already taken place in Shanlyurfa, Bursa, Samsun, Trabzon, Vane and Neghehirah. Other provinces of the country are just getting ready to take the relay of the festival: Erzurum - 17-25 AugustChanakkala - 31 August-8 SeptemberGazantep - 14-22 SeptemberAnkara - 21-29 SeptemberIstanbul - 28 September - 6 OctoberDiyarbakir - 12-20 OctoberIzmir - 26 October - 3 NovemberAntalya - 2 - 10 November The full program of the festival and venues can be found on https://kulturyolufestivali.com/en-us/events The festival, organized by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with the European Association of Festivals (EFA), aims to popularize the tourist potential of Turkey and acquaint viewers with the traditions and cultural values of the country.
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August 21, 2024

In January-June 2024, more than 8.5 million tourists visited Istanbul 

According to the data of the Istanbul Culture and Tourism Administration, in the first half of the year, 8 million 562 thousand 167 people visited the metropolis. This is 8% more than the same period last year, and shows an increase in the number of tourists by 658,629 people. In June 2024 alone, Istanbul welcomed 1 million 638 thousand 399 foreign tourists, which is 1% more than last June. The predominant mode of arrival - air flights Most tourists used air transport: in June, 1 million 582 thousand 662 people arrived in Istanbul by plane. Among the airports, the most popular is the new airport of Istanbul, through which passed 73.39% of all tourists (1 million 161,581 people). Sabiha Geckos International Airport served 419,617 people, and Atat rk Airport received 1,464 passengers. The sea trip was chosen by 55,737 people. The most popular seaports were Karakoy (48,380 people) and Tuzla (1728 people). National composition of tourists The leaders among foreign tourists visiting Istanbul in June were Russians - 171,633 people. Following them are the citizens of the USA (112,966 people), Germany (102,559 people), Iran (96,418 people) and Saudi Arabia (85,448 people). Russians made up 10.48% of the total number of tourists in June, while Americans - 6.89%, Germans - 6.26%, Iranians - 5.88%. In total, for the first six months of 2024, Istanbul received tourists from 195 countries.
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August 20, 2024

New requirements for owners of real estate in Turkey: electronic identity verification

Turkey has introduced new rules for property owners regarding mandatory electronic verification of identity in real estate transactions at the land registry. EKDS system, implemented throughout the country, greatly simplifies the process of identifying owners. Citizens are now required to use new ID cards with the chip, inserting them into special POS devices that compare biometric data with the database. Mustafa Ozelmajikli, representative of the General Directorate for Population, reported that the system has been successfully tested and is already functioning throughout Turkey. EKDS compares fingerprint data and photos stored on the chip with information in the MERNIS system, which helps to prevent fraud and document forgery. Ismail Ozkan, president of the Association of Real Estate Marketing and Sales Specialists, noted that electronic identity verification has become mandatory for all real estate transactions. If the identity cannot be verified through the system, the ownership transfer process will not be completed. Ozcan also added that citizens are encouraged to get new chip ID cards as soon as possible to ensure security and speed up the process of document processing. The old certificates are still usable, but it is important to update the documents during the transition period. Owners will be sent SMS notifications with information about new requirements. In case of chip damage, you will need to contact the CEGS for a temporary identification. Correct. This change does not apply to foreigners who own real estate in Turkey and do not have a Turkish identity card.
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August 20, 2024

Chinese company "Ganfeng" is investing $500 mln. in production of lithium batteries in Turkey

The Chinese company "Ganfeng", one of the largest lithium producers in the world, will create a 5 GW research center with an investment of $500 million. The company has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Turkish battery production company Yiğit Ak . In addition to meeting the production needs of Turkey, the plant will also export products to the European market. Through this cooperation, Turkey will expand its presence in the world market, especially in the field of production of lithium-ion battery cells, battery modules, battery packs, energy storage systems, battery management systems, Power management systems and lithium-ion battery recycling. The enterprise will not be limited to production alone, but also will have a research institute specialized in new technologies. This institute will work on advanced lithium battery technologies. In addition, the institute will develop important projects for leading technologies of the industry. According to analysts, the global lithium-ion battery market will grow by 15.70% in the period 2023-2030. The new facility and research institute will enable Turkey to increase its energy storage capacity and enhance its competitiveness in the global market.
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August 20, 2024

Municipality of Alanya will take 40 million lire to solve current issues in the city

The Financial Services Office of the municipality from 09.08.2024 and E.4689 No., it was decided to take a non-cash loan of 40,000,000 lire (excluding interest) from İller Bankası A.Ş. for use in current and investment expenses in fiscal year 2024. Payments of principal, interest, audit expenses, commissions, taxes, duties, fees etc., arising from the loan shall be paid out of the revenues of the municipality of Alanya, which will be taken as collateral by İller Bankası A.Ş. and legal shares.
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August 20, 2024

Water tariffs in Antalya

Please see the full list of water tariffs in the province of Antalya (including Alanya), published by the General Directorate of the Water and Wastewater Administration of Antalya ASAT. The tariffs for individuals in urban apartment buildings are as follows: up to 5 m3 - 10 lires per cubic metre6-20 m3 - 20.45 lire per cubic metre21-40 m3 - 50.34 Lyres per cubic metremore than 40 m3 - 71.93 lire per cubic metre The tariffs for individuals in village apartment buildings are as follows: up to 15 m3 - 2.5 liras per cubic metre16-60 m3 - 5.12 Lyres per cubic metre61-120 m3 - 12.59 lire per cubic metremore than 120 m3 - 71.93 lire per cubic metre The most expensive tariff was taken to hotels. When using more than 40 m3 water tariff in hotels is 94.88 liras per cubic meter. Prime. Water tariffs are without VAT.
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August 20, 2024

Turkish chess player became the youngest athlete in the world, having passed 2600 Elo in chess

The Turkish Chess Federation statement states: "Our star athlete Yagiz Kaan Erdogmuş, the world s youngest grandmaster, became the youngest athlete to pass 2600 Eels, thanks to his successful performance at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. At the moment, the rating of Elo Yaghiz Kaan is 2601. We congratulate our athlete and wish him success". Yagiz Kaan Erdogmush is an international Turkish chess master born in Bursa on 3 June 2011. When he was only 8 years old, he attracted attention by becoming the 2019 European champion. In 2021, FIDE awarded him the title of candidate for master (CM), in 2022 he became a master of FIDE (FM) and in the same year - the youngest international master in Turkey. In 2024 he fulfilled his last rule at the open chess tournament in Grenca and received the title of grandmaster. At the masters tournament in Sharjah in 2024 he also scored 2,569 Elo points, surpassing Judith Polgar s record of 2,555th point, who remained undefeated for 34 years at the age of 13. With the success of Yagiz Kaan, the number of grandmasters in Turkey has increased to 16. He ranks 4th among the youngest grandmasters in world chess history. There are currently only 185 players in the world with an Elo rating between 2601-2700. The Elo rating system has been officially applied by the US Chess Federation since 1960 and the FIDE International Chess Federation since 1970. It is also used to evaluate the strength of players from other federations and sites, not necessarily chess, but also used in checkers, go, shogi and other games with two opponents.
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August 20, 2024

It took the Turkish company PTT 15 months to deliver the package to the addressee

The theatre artist Joshk n Cheinalp, founder of the Ordu Ekin Theatre, received a newspaper sent from Istanbul via PTT on 5 May 2023. He received it only on 17 August 2024, i.e. 15 months after the shipment. Receiving a theatrical newspaper after 15 months, Josh Cheinalp, with humor commented on the situation:"If you look at it from the point of view of logic, that everything unread is new. So it doesn t matter that I got the paper in 15 months. I congratulate PTT, which delivered my newspaper".
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August 20, 2024

Turkish citizens trust news by 35%

In a survey of more than 96,000 respondents in 46 countries, one of the world s largest international news agencies published a ranking of countries by the degree of trust they place in news sources. Turkey ranked 6th on this criterion with 35%. Overall, the 35% rate corresponds to the global average of citizens' confidence in news in the media. Finland is in first place, with 69% of its citizens trusting news. What news sources are used by citizens of Turkey? 70% - Internet sites56% - television45% - social networks19% - Print Media with the highest public trust: Now TV News (Fox) - 60%S zcu - 53%NTV News and Halk TV - 52% Media with the least trust of citizens: To Have - 48%ATV - 45%Sabah - 40%
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August 19, 2024

Turkish citizens are outraged by the difference in prices for hotels for foreigners and locals

This year, the prices for a holiday in Turkey did not resent only lazy. Turks complain not only about the high cost of holidays, but also about the difference in prices for hotel reservations for locals and foreigners. Two journalists of the TV channel Ekol TV decided to book a hotel in Belek as local residents and foreigners as an experiment, and compare the difference in price. The price of a room for two on the system "all inclusive" for 5 days to the local resident was announced in the amount of 141,500 lire subject to 30% prepayment. For the foreigner, the same number was quoted at 119,418 liras without any advance payment. The difference in price was thus more than 22,000 liras. In the comments to the news, Turkish citizens are speaking out against hoteliers booking rooms for local prices. The Ministry of Tourism is aware of the situation and has repeatedly promised to put an end to the practice of overcharging domestic tourists, but still there.
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August 16, 2024

Passport of the UAE ranked 9th in the TOP-10 most attractive passports of the world, and the passport of Turkey ranked 45th

The Henley Passport Index is an international ranking of countries by the level of freedom of movement they provide to their citizens. The index analyzes the visa rules of more than 200 countries and territories and ranks them by number of countries with no visa entry. The country s ranking is determined by the number of countries in the world to which its citizens can enter without a visa (without a visa or with a visa on arrival). According to the 2024 report, the UAE passport was ranked in the top 10 most influential passports in the world, ranking 9th. Passport holders of the UAE can visit without visa 185 countries. Turkey also showed progress. Turkish passport took the ranking 45 place, rising by 7 places. Turkish passport holders can visit 118 countries without visa. The most attractive passport in the world was the passport of Singapore. Its holders can visit without visa 195 countries.
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August 16, 2024

Ministry of Health made official statement on mpox virus situation

Following the announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) of a "emergency" in connection with the spread of the monkey pox virus (mpox), the Ministry of Health of Turkey issued a statement on this issue. The following statements were made: "In 2024 there was not one mpox case in Turkey. In our country there is no need for any restrictions or additional measures. The necessary research is conducted by our ministry, taking into account the opinion of the scientific council. Previously, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhan Gebreyesus announced that the WHO Emergency Committee had accepted a recommendation that the monkey pox virus was an extreme public health hazard of international concern. The Gebreiesus stated that the virus has the potential to spread in Africa and other regions. This year, the number of reported cases exceeded 14,000, and the mortality from this disease was 524 people, which is significantly higher than last year s figure. The virus is transmitted to humans from rodents, such as mice and proteins, or from infected humans. Contact with the virus-induced bodily discharge, use of clothing, sheets, towels and similar items contaminated by these discharges, as well as contact with body fluids are some of the most common causes of virus transmission. The first symptoms may appear 5-21 days after infection. The virus usually causes high temperature, head, back and muscle pain, swelling of the lymph nodes, fatigue, chills and blisters on the skin similar to chicken pox.
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