Türkiye'nin İlk ve Tek Cruise Temalı Seyahat Dergisi

RIVER CRUISE SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH A. OZAN YAMAN, THE CO-FOUNDER OF INTERWORLD

You are known especially in the cruise industry for the charter flights you have been operating successfully for years. What was your inspiration that drew you to this industry?

Thanks. Since I completed my university education at the Faculty of Tourism, the profession I was considering for the future was tourism. However, ship or river tours were not a well-known tourism product in those years, at least in our country. My interest in Cruise started partly by chance.

Let's talk a little about your brands. As Interworld, what do you promise your guests that is different from others? Where does Keşif&Ötesi fit into this privileged structure?

TURSAB approved name of our agency is Interworld. The main purpose of establishing Interworld was to provide cruise products to our business partners in the sector on a B2B basis. We have made significant progress towards this goal over the years. Keşif&Ötesi, on the other hand, is the sub-brand of our agency that offers all tourism products, including not only cruise products, directly to the guests. Our office in Izmir has a team dedicated only to this brand.

Could you tell us about the cruise companies and programs you represent as Interworld?

As Interworld, we have been providing products for many 6* cruise companies, especially Princess Cruises, in recent years. One of the leading ones is Oceania Cruises, which also has the Best Cuisine at Sea award. In addition, we also have representations of many shipping companies and river companies. World-renowned AmaWaterways, Luftner River Cruises and Viva Cruises are the leading ones. There are also river ships that we rent exclusively for Turkish guests every year

Among the unique tours you offer, which tours do your customers prefer the most?

In recent years, we have been receiving serious demand for the river ships we have rented and the river ships we call "Exclusive Voyages". Some of these special voyages can fill up as much as 6 months before the tour. This year, we have voyages on the Rhine River, Danube River and New Year's Eve with 5 different ships for Christmas Markets and they are all full.

Cruise ships and tours from Turkey, which started again after Galataport became operational, became attractive again. Apart from that, the highest demand in Turkey is for Mediterranean and Fjord destinations... The Far East and Japan are among the rising destinations...

Can you evaluate 2023? What are your predictions for 2024? Have you prepared special surprise programs for your guests?

As you know, cruise and river tours are sold well in advance. Frankly, we started the sales of our 2023 packages very quickly as of the 2022 summer period. Of course, there was a serious pause due to the earthquake disaster we experienced in the country at the beginning of 2023. In addition to the rise in the economy and exchange rates, the election process also affected all of us, as in all sectors. But by being cautious, we passed this year without any problems. I predict that 2024 will be much busier.

Your 2024 programs have also been announced. What are your most demanded/most trusted/most assertive products so far?

2024 will be the year we offer the most river alternatives. As of April, we will have 5 special flights and around 20 group places, including New Year's Eve 2024. Apart from the most demanded rivers such as the Rhine River and the Danube River, this year we will also have Rhone River, Mosel River, Seine River and Douro River options

Can you give information about the charter voyages you prepared for this year?

Our Rhine River Special voyage between 15-22 June, which coincides with the Eid al-Adha period for 2024, which is already half full, is one of our most ambitious voyages. Apart from that, we will also have options for the Christmas Markets period and New Year's Eve. All our announced programs are available on our websites

Are participants in your tours always from Istanbul? Do you have guests from different cities?

Istanbul, of course, carries serious weight as it is the largest city in Turkey. However, since we are based in Izmir, we have been preparing flight alternatives from Izmir with direct flights in recent years. Especially in our special expeditions, at least one group consists of participants from Izmir, or more precisely, from the Aegean region. Apart from that, Ankara, Adana and Cyprus are the regions where we have the most guests…

We talked about your charter voyages, which sold out as quickly as they were announced. But we have never talked about the secrets that lead you to success and distinguish you from others.

Thank you, first of all. We have always used the most luxurious and newest ships for our charter voyages, which we call exclusive cruises. This is a great advantage in itself because especially our guests who have experienced different rivers before see the obvious difference in comfort. This enabled us to have many repeat guests. Apart from this, we make special touches for our Turkish guests in all our programs. More rich breakfast, cuisine suitable for Turkish taste. Also, I don't want to leave it without mentioning; The fact that we have been a team for a long time and have been working with Turkey's most experienced and successful guides has a great contribution in our success.

River cruises have always had a privileged audience. Can you explain why?

The biggest reason for this is that river tours are the most comfortable method of traveling abroad. And it really takes place as a complete cultural tour. Especially our guests who travel a lot do not give up this convenience after discovering the river tour.

What makes the river tours you recommend to your guests so special? Destination, ship or organization?

All of them. For example, you may have visited Germany before. However, the river tour offers a detailed tour program that you cannot see in normal package programs. Moreover, it is also possible to enjoy the cruise. As you proceed along the river, towns, castles and forests along the way provide a perfect viewing pleasure.

I think your 2024 river tours have been announced. Can you tell us a little about which destination/program will carry the flag?

The Eid al-Adha period provides a full week's holiday opportunity this year. We offer a Rhine river alternative, starting with a cruise in Amsterdam and ending in Basel, in the week that coincides with the holiday. We see that this tour, which is already half capacity, will be full in a very short time. Apart from this, Christmas Markets and New Year's Eve will be among our packages that fill up the fastest as always.