Bentour Reisen, a leading Turkish tour operator specializing in Türkiye, celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exclusive event in Zurich. Operating in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, Bentour marked the milestone during its third annual "Summer on the Lake" event.
The special evening, hosted at Zurich's Bürkliplatz Harbor, welcomed over 120 guests, including top-selling agencies, key partners, and special invitees. The guests were greeted by Bentour's senior management and enjoyed a scenic cruise aboard the MS Wädenswil. Throughout the voyage, industry professionals had the opportunity to network and exchange insights.
"We are a commercial organization, not a charity or association"
In his welcome speech, Kadir Uğur, Founder and Chairman of Bentour Reisen, shared his 56 years of experience in the tourism industry. He emphasized the company's commercial nature, stating, "The tourism sector must remember that we are not a charity or association, but a commercial organization. What propels us forward is not the number of passengers, but the healthy profits we generate. Tour operators, travel agencies, and tourism associations need to highlight the benefits of organized travel more strongly, as many customers have not yet fully grasped this concept."
"Stick to your core business"
Uğur stressed the importance of specialization in the tourism industry, which is composed of tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, and airlines. "You can’t carry two watermelons in one hand," he remarked, underscoring the need for each player to focus solely on their own area of expertise.
"Quality-focused growth"
Looking ahead, Uğur expressed his desire for Bentour Reisen to continue growing with a focus on quality, a principle that has defined the company’s success to date. He highlighted the central role of employee commitment and a conducive work environment in achieving this vision. He also mentioned the company’s new headquarters in Antalya, which will feature social spaces, including a fitness center, designed to foster a healthy workplace.
"We wouldn’t be here without partners"
Following Uğur’s speech, Bentour CEO Deniz Uğur thanked the company's partners and travel agencies, saying, "This evening is dedicated to our top travel agencies and partners, who have supported us for many years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you. Looking back, we are proud of our achievements, but we know that our greatest accomplishments have come from the successes we’ve achieved together."
"Shaping the future together"
Deniz Uğur also offered a forward-looking perspective, stating, "Tonight is not just about celebrating 20 years of success; it’s also about looking to the future. While we are proud of our Turkish roots, Bentour Reisen now offers travel to destinations like Spain, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt. Our success is built on our travel agencies and partners, and we look forward to shaping the future together."
The event featured brief speeches from sponsors, including Tobias Bracht from SunExpress and Ülkü Yaşar and Hasan Topuz from Gloria Hotels & Resorts.
