Signatures have been signed for a brand-new partnership model in the tourism sector. Honest Holding announced that it has joined forces with Wtatil, a leader in outbound tour operations, through a strategic partnership. In addition to their determination to grow together, the two companies also aim to increase Türkiye’s competitiveness in the global market. Under the new partnership structure, the outbound flight network from Anatolia will be expanded, with a target of 200,000 seats within one year.
The large-scale branding and power-union model that has long been discussed in Türkiye’s tourism sector is coming to life through Honest Holding’s initiative. In a statement from Honest Holding, it was announced that the company has become a partner in Wtatil, one of Türkiye’s leading firms in outbound tour organisations. This strategic partnership is positioned not only as an expression of the two companies’ determination to grow, but also as a structural transformation move aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Turkish tourism in international markets.
A massive operation of 200,000 seats in one year
Within the scope of the Honest Holding–Wtatil partnership, an outbound tour operation with a capacity of approximately 200,000 seats is targeted for the 2026–2027 period. Covering the Balkans, Europe, Egypt, the Middle East and the Far East, this structure represents a level of planning unprecedented to date in Türkiye-origin outbound tour organisations. While Wtatil already holds a leading position in the sector as the company managing the highest-volume outbound tour operations in Türkiye, the aim is to take this leadership to a higher league through Honest Holding’s financial strength, investment vision and integrated tourism infrastructure. With the partnership structure that combines Honest’s global sales network and Wtatil’s operational strength, one of the key objectives is also to turn the Wtatil brand into a global brand and expand it in international markets.
Direct outbound flight network from Anatolia is expanding
With the partnership, it is planned to move outbound tours beyond a structure centred solely on Istanbul and to establish a strong charter network spread across Anatolia. Cities with planned direct flights include Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Antalya, Diyarbakir, Trabzon, Samsun, Konya, Kayseri and Elazig. Thanks to this strategy, accessibility for passengers in Anatolia will increase, while B2C-operating agencies will be offered more products, stronger pricing and higher sales volumes.
“Big brands in tourism rise with big structures”
Cengiz Deveci, Chairman of the Board of Honest Holding, made the following assessment regarding the partnership:
“Branding in tourism is very difficult to achieve on its own. However, when the right brands come together under the right umbrella, real value emerges. Wtatil is Türkiye’s largest brand in outbound tour organisations. We want to grow this brand even further under the Honest Holding umbrella and provide the sector with a long-term vision.”
Cansu Varlık, one of the Founding Partners of Wtatil, evaluated the partnership as follows:
“The combination of Honest Holding’s corporate strength and international vision with Wtatil’s sectoral expertise opens the door to a stronger growth process both in Türkiye and in global markets. With this partnership, we aim to further increase the value we offer to our agencies by expanding our product diversity. We are entering a new growth period for Wtatil.”
Another Founding Partner of Wtatil, Cihan Saray, stated the following regarding the new partnership model:
“The operational strength and market leadership we have built over the years have combined with Honest Holding’s investment power and vision. This partnership represents not only growth, but also the creation of a new balance in the sector. We believe that this structure will become a reference point for many companies in the coming period.”
ABOUT HONEST HOLDING: Founded in 1999 as Honest Tourism Travel Agency, the Honest Group of Companies continues its activities primarily in tourism, as well as in construction, transportation, aviation, and import–export sectors. From travel agency services to hotel management, from transportation to aviation, from construction to import and export, the Honest Group of Companies operates with a structure that adopts quality and good pricing policies as core principles in its sectors. Growing day by day with the success awards it has received, the group continues to increase its contribution to the Turkish economy and promotion of Türkiye. The quality of the services it offers has been documented with various international awards and certificates both domestically and abroad. With its experienced and well-trained workforce, Honest operates in every sector it is involved in with the principle of maximum efficiency and effectiveness, while maintaining its leadership by acting with a strong sense of social responsibility.
ABOUT WTATIL.COM: One of Türkiye’s largest B2B outgoing tour operators, Wtatil.com holds a leading position in the field of package tours. With four offices in Istanbul and nine offices in various countries around the world, it provides services across a total of 13 different locations. With three restaurants operating under the Restaurant Gardenia brand in North Macedonia, it has the capacity to serve more than 1,000 guests simultaneously. In addition, the four-star Old Stone Hotel in Skopje, with a capacity of 70 beds, also operates under the Wtatil.com umbrella. One of Wtatil.com’s subsidiaries, Reserwation.com, is a technology company focused entirely on tourism software. It is also an investor and 25% partner in the Uzakrota Travel Summit, recognised as one of the world’s 10 most influential tourism organisations. Providing transportation services under the Wbus brand with buses and VIP vehicles purchased in Dubai, Egypt and the Balkans, Wtatil.com also operates as the GSA for Oman-based low-cost airline Salam Air in Türkiye and Albania. With more than 200 employees, Wtatil.com continues to provide services with an integrated and strong structure across all areas of tourism.
