Crisis in Turkey: Mayor arrested, tourists in danger!

Crisis in Turkey: Mayor arrested, tourists in danger!

Istanbul, Türkei - Current uncertainties shape travel behavior in Turkey. Political unrest, especially the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, have led to mass protests. These protests, which also took place in cities such as Ankara and Izmir, further tightened the security situation. Around 400 people were arrested in Istanbul on May 1, 2023. At the same time, an earthquake also tense the situation for tourists in mid -April 2023. According to Derwesten.de advises to cancel travel in crisis regions, however, warns that such Cancellations are often difficult.

The travel instructions of the German Federal Foreign Office were published, but there are no specific travel warnings. A cancellation is not possible without such a warning, since only general information is available. However, some tour operators are accommodating in rebookings and attempts to accommodate customers.

Current security situation

The security situation in Turkey is tense. There is an urgent travel warning in particular in the border areas of Iraq and Syria, such as in the provinces Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Sırnak and Hakkâri. The Federal Foreign Office advises to avoid political protests in the cities that can lead to traffic disabilities. In addition, tourists should avoid larger crowds in order not to be involved in potential conflicts. According to AUSTIGTIGES-AMBER.de , German nationals can also be arrested or prevented from entry.

The risk of terrorist attacks also remains. Such incidents have always occurred since 2015, including in large cities. The safety precautions are high, but travelers are advised to always be careful.

health and travel information

travelers to Turkey should prepare for health conditions. Although there are no mandatory vaccinations for entry from Germany, sufficient travel health insurance is recommended. Medical supply offers are better pronounced in large cities than in rural regions. In addition, tourists should keep an eye on the weather conditions and news during their stay.

The entry requirements must also be paid to. German citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days and can enter with a valid passport, ID card or a temporary passport. Nevertheless, it is advised to find out more about current entry requirements from the responsible authorities and tour operators. At the same time, it is important to respect local customs.