Istanbul expected to be popular in 2010

International Currency Exchange (Ice) has predicted that Istanbul will be a "hot" travel destination over the coming year.

The city will be helped by the fact that it was recently named European Capital of Culture for 2010, the company said.

Ice also forecast that Turkey as a whole will perform well in 2010, with British travellers already showing strong demand for the country's currency.

Koko Sarkari, global head of the firm, said: "The Turkish lira was the sixth most ordered currency in both May and June 2009 and in the summer of 2008 Turkey knocked Spain off the top spot for UK holidays.

"We are already seeing sales of lira up in January 2010, compared to the same time last year, suggesting that Turkey is a hot favourite with UK travellers."

Mr Sarkari also pointed out that it is useful to have some low denomination lira if visitors are planning to visit Istanbul's bazaars or take a river cruise on the Bosphorus.

Flights to Istanbul are provided by Turkish Airlines, Swiss, British Airways and other carriers.

Posted by Kate, 23 February 2010 16:19

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