Manager aims to grow with Turkish Airlines
Print Edition
Sevki Erkan Erdogan, the general manager in Shanghai for Turkish Airlines, said the future in China looks good for his company, which serves 243 cities worldwide and is ideally situated for Chinese passengers looking to visit Europe and beyond.
Having one of the largest flight networks in the world, Turkish Airlines (TK) is now aiming to expand its market in China. The company’s general manager in Shanghai, Sevki Erkan Erdogan, who has been with TK for almost two decades, is very encouraged about the future.
The company now has three destinations on China’s mainland, including Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, and the company wants to open up more routes.
Erdogan said TK is one of the world’s top airlines in number of destinations, “and we want to remain strong and powerful. We would like to welcome more Chinese passengers on board to learn about us on their trips to Europe.”
The company has flights covering 243 cities around the world, consisting of 42 domestic and 201 international destinations. Being a natural transfer hub, Turkey is considered an ideal choice for Chinese passengers traveling to Europe and destinations beyond, he said.
Erdogan said in recent years, Turkish Airlines has grown rapidly. After sponsoring many athletes and teams including Manchester United, Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi, the company has earned a global reputation as the “wings of sport.”
“In the Chinese market, I need to keep pace with Turkish Airlines’ development through different marketing events,” he said.
Erdogan said what impressed him most about the Chinese market is how Chinese people travel and spend.
“This is very different from Europe, where people plan trips three to six months ahead of time and buy tickets directly from airlines,” he said. “In China, however, visa and other restrictions prevent people from planning so far in advance and they often use travel agencies. These differences mean that we need to adjust our sales and marketing strategies.”
Erdogan said the company has had a very good relationship with local travel and ticket agencies. Furthermore, since he took this position, he has made relationship-building a very important element of business development.
Erdogan had been with TK even before he graduated from Marmara University in Turkey.
“I worked as a sales agent then, and it’s my pleasure to grow up with Turkish Airlines,” he said. “Our shared experiences have been filled with both laughter and tears.”
Erdogan has lived in Shanghai for more than two years, and to him, China has been like a home, even though he doesn’t speak Chinese.
“Chinese is a very hard language, not to mention the Shanghai dialect,” he said. “Fortunately, there are many people who speak English in China, especially in Shanghai.”
He said he doesn’t find it hard to communicate in restaurants or in supermarkets using only English.
“I am very happy to live and work in this city. I’m sure that this will remain one of the most remarkable periods of my life,” he said.
Q: What is your favorite holiday destination?
My favorite holiday destinations are both historical and cultural sites. I also enjoy great food, and a beautiful and diverse landscape.
For those who like history and culture, Turkey is a perfect destination, offering a wealth of cultural heritage as well as magnificent landscapes.
Q:What do you think makes an ideal airline and hotel service?
The ideal airline takes all the stress out of traveling and makes it one of the most enjoyable and exciting parts of going away. Love it or hate it, traveling is an essential part of going on holiday, and the perfect airline would ensure that travelers look forward to the flights as much as the holiday destination. For me, the most enjoyable airlines offer an efficient check-in, safe flights, on-time arrivals and constant connections with the world via the Internet.
Like the ideal airline, the ideal hotel provides guests with the best customer experience, allowing them to fully relax and enjoy their stay without having to worry about anything.
Q: What is your favorite means of travel?
It depends. For a long, 10-hour journey, I prefer traveling by plane, because they’re convenient and comfortable.
But I also enjoy going by train or car if I travel with my family. This lets us enjoy the scenery.
Q: Have you traveled in China and where is your favorite place?
China offers much of what I enjoy in a destination, yet spans over many locations. For example, the rich history of Xi’an mixed with the beautiful natural landscapes of Suzhou and Hangzhou, and capped off by the diversity of Shanghai, all makes China a very appealing and enjoyable destination.
I love experiencing the different cultures and customs in China. As I said earlier, I was amazed by the historical sites in Xi’an like the Terracotta Warriors, but I also enjoyed the smaller cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
I’ve lived in Shanghai for over two years and it becomes my favorite place to live in China. Apart from its modernity and convenience, Shanghai’s diversity is what makes it impressive to so many people.
Q:What is your motto in life?
I have been working for Turkish Airlines for almost two decades. In my position, I travel frequently to different places that have diverse cultural backgrounds. Whenever I’m in a foreign country, I try to “live like a local,” because that’s the way you can see and feel the essence of the city.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
