Tesco will be significantly expanding its operations in both China and Turkey

According to the FT, Tesco is planning to roll out its Tesco Express convenience format in China, starting in Shanghai next month. Tesco already operates 50 hypermarkets along China's east coast under the Hymall fascia, through its joint venture with Chinese chain Ting Hsin. The retailer also opened its first Tesco branded store in Beijing almost a year ago. Reports from The Times reveal that Tesco is also planning on expanding its presence in Turkey, and will be investing £380m in the next five years to triple its business to more than 150 stores. Tesco currently operates 46 outlets in Turkey, including 12 hypermarkets, as well as convenience stores and supermarkets. However, these stores are in the cheaper areas and The Times suggests that Tesco now wants to break into Istanbul, where it is predicted it will open its first store this May.

Holidaymakers will be treated to a Turkish delight this summer - 2008

Holidaymakers will be treated to a Turkish delight this summer as Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) has announced it will be operating extra flights to the sunny nation. Turkey specialist Goldtrail Holidays will up its flight frequency from LBIA to two flights per week to Dalaman and Bodrum and one weekly flight to Antalaya. Flights to Dalaman and Bodrum will depart on Mondays and Tuesdays while holidaymakers travelling to Antalya will jet-off on Wednesdays. Joe Lavers, sales and marketing manager for Goldtrail Holidays, said: "We are investing significantly in our operations at LBIA and these extra flights give local people more availability and choice when travelling to Turkey." According to marketing and business development manager at LBIA, Sally Ramsey, the airport is forecasting a passenger throughput of around three million for 2008.

 

Ship from Uluburun sinks again
A replica of the oldest known cargo carrier, Uluburun was sunk again at the same location in the Mediterranean where the wreck of the original was found. It took one hour to sink.
A model of the sunken Uluburun is on exhibition in Bodrum castle. The ship sank 3,300 years ago off Antalya and is the oldest cargo carrier known in history.
The replica, made by Hayrullah Kes, is 14 metres in length and 5 metres wide and cost 40.000 YTL to make and will now be used as an underwater tourist attraction.
The wreck was excavated between 1984 and 1994 at Uluburun, near Kas. The excavation, revealed one of the wealthiest and largest collections of Late Bronze Age items to be found in the Mediterranean. The shipwreck was lying on a steep rocky slope at a depth of 44 to 52 metres, with artifacts scattered down to 61 metres.
The main cargo, possibly belonging to royalty, included about ten tons of what appeared to be Cypriot copper in the form of 354 flat ingots and about 120 disc shaped ingots. Also on board was a ton of the earliest dated tin ingots. Dating of a small piece of presumably freshly cut firewood suggests that the ship sank in 1306 BC or shortly afterwards.