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ISTANBUL

One City Two Continents

"If the World were one nation, then Istanbul would be its capital city..."

Napoleon Bonaparte

Business Traveller's Essential Guide

There are many misconceptions about Istanbul, especially for the first time visitor. In most television news and current affairs reports, broadcast from Istanbul, the reporter usually has a clichéd Islamic backdrop with a Mosque and traditional inhabitants and passers by such as women dressed in black and elderly gentlemen with long beards walking behind the reporter, in areas like Eminönü and Fatih. However, there are more modern and dynamic areas in Istanbul that are very rarely shown; these areas include Levent, Maslak, Etiler, Maçka and Nişantaşı, all of which are the main centres of business. In some cases, these areas are just as or even more modern than their equivalents in London, Paris or Barcelona.

Central Business Districts

Istanbul's main business districts are on the European side in Levent, Etiler, Maslak, Maçka and Nişantaşı. Most of the banking headquarters are located along Büyükdere Caddesi/Avenue, which begins at Mecidiyeköy, Esentepe, all the way to Levent, then ending at Maslak Istinye, where the Istanbul Stock Exchange is located. All the major banks and holdings are on, around, or within easy reach of the 7-kilometre stretch of Büyükdere Caddesi.

Istanbul's key business sectors located in these areas are as follows:

Banking & Investment
Construction
Technology
Telecom

Per Diems Expenses

To avoid paying for costly hotel breakfast lunch and dinners, allow up to 20YTL (New Turkish Lira) per sitting. The average cost of a taxi journey if staying at a hotel in one of or within easy access to the main districts can be anywhere from 6 YTL to 12 YTL. So allow a minimum of 100 YTL, or $75 USD per day, for eating and transportation.

Transport

Initial point of call is usually the Atatürk International Airport, which is about 25 kilometres from the main central point of Istanbul Taksim. Taxis are available, however traffic is always an issue, and the longer the taxi stays in traffic, and depending on which route the Taxi Driver takes, the fare to Taksim can range from 20 YTL to 34 YTL, and anywhere from 20 minutes to 90 minutes depending on time of day or traffic.

HAVAŞ provides a regular shuttle service every 30 minutes too and from the Airport and Taksim, as well as other destinations including the shopping centre in Etiler Akmerkez. The charge is only 9 YTL. Once in Taksim, it is then easier to reach one of many hotels, which are within walking distance, or to continue by taxi. For shuttle schedules, click on the following HAVAŞ website link www.havas.com.tr

Hotels

It is recommended that you stay at a hotel in one of the business districts, with easy access to main roads to all directions. Travel around Istanbul can be time consuming, especially in Istanbul traffic, which is notorious. Travelling too and from meetings can be very time consuming. In some cases, travel too and from meetings and subsequent business lunches and dinners, can take up 20% - 30% of the day.

Locations

The most convenient locations for hotels are Maçka, Elmadağ and Taksim, especially for easy access in all directions to and from business meetings, conferences, dining, shopping and return to the airport.

Printing

Printing can always be a major last minute issue, especially with changes to presentations, or emergency last minute business cards; so it is always useful to have a USB Memory Stick with the necessary .EPS or .TIF files for printing emergency business cards or in Turkish “Kart Vizit”; or to print off any modified glossy presentations at the last minute. In some cases, the concierge at the hotel can advice or even send someone to have printing done. There are a number of digital printing shops located in the Beşiktaş area.

General Consulates

Nearly all major General Consulates are located around the Beyoğlu district, along Istiklal Caddesi/Avenue, which begins at Taksim Square.

Legal

Always check with your respective local Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for Consulate details in Istanbul that can provide a list of locally recommended Law Firms in Istanbul, especially where contracts are concerned.


	Business Hotels






	Turkish Hospitality is World renowned with its hotels, restaurants and cuisine. Let us advise on where best to stay on your next business trip to Istanbul to ensure a smooth, efficient, comfortable and productive visit...

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