Motiva DMC, our travel partner in Turkey, enjoyed a very busy October, hosting a large travel congress, a leisure travel group and an incentive trip in Istanbul.

CEO of Motiva DMC, Mehmet Binatli, says “It is exciting to see that Turkey is extremely popular for corporate events right now and also deep into 2024. The most popular location is Istanbul and the old favorite coastal locations of Bodrum and Antalya. Also on the bucket list is Cappadocia with its surreal rock formations, ancient cave dwellings and what is always a highlight, a hot air balloon flight over this lunar landscape”.

He shared a quick overview of the 3 trips they recently managed:

ATLC Congress 2023

The Air Transport Leaders Congress, for air transport professionals in Central Asia and South Europe, was held in October at the Hyatt Regency Atakoy Hotel in Istanbul. Motiva DMC was appointed as the exclusive DMC and handled all the conference services, registration, transport and tours for the 400 delegates who attended this event.

Incentive group for a Romanian Corporate 

Ten General Managers were treated to a 3 night incentive in Istanbul.

Day 1: Meet and greet by their local Romanian speaking guide. They enjoyed luxury private airport transfers, an exclusive tour of Dolmabahce palace, lunch at a local fish restaurant at Galata Bridge and a 4-course set menu dinner at the rooftop restaurant Develi, with views overlooking the Bosphorus River.

Day 2: Private boat charter for a tour to Princes Island. Beer and wines were served as they cruised across the Sea of Marmara to visit the islands of Heybeliada and Buyukada. This was a place of exile for banished statesmen and royalty during Turkey’s Byzantine era. Pass by lovely wooden mansions that are stunning examples of the island’s late Ottoman-era architecture. Lunch is enjoyed on the island at Secret Garden restaurant, housed in a 19th century masonry wooden mansion. Dinner was enjoyed back in Istanbul on the roof terrace of Hamdi Restaurant, with great views overlooking the Golden Horn and Galata Bridge.

Day 3: Famous walking tour of Old Town Istanbul visiting the iconic sites of Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque (Blue Mosque), German Fountain, Egyptian Column, Hippodrome and shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Lunch with the locals at a restaurant in Old Town. A farewell dinner was enjoyed at CznBurak restaurant in Taksim, followed by visits to nightclubs in this vibrant part of the city.

French Leisure Tour Group

40 leisure travelers from Auriol in France enjoyed a condensed 3-night visit to Istanbul. With only a half-day walking tour of Old Town included, the rest of the time was free to do optional tours and all meals were at leisure. This was a great way to allow visitors to enjoy our Turkish delights and local restaurants at their own pace.