Crisis in Turkey: Holidaymakers are in danger – cancel now!

Crisis in Turkey: Holidaymakers are in danger – cancel now!

The political situation in Turkey has become more dire in recent weeks, which is having a major impact on the tourism industry. Following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, massive protests and unrest broke out in several cities, including Ankara and Izmir. On May 1, 2023 alone, around 400 people were arrested in Istanbul. This uncertain situation is exacerbated by a recent earthquake in mid-April 2023, making the security situation for tourists even more difficult. Consumer advocate Ron Perduss warns travelers and recommends canceling trips to crisis regions such as Turkey. He highlights that cancellations are often difficult for Turkey, with many requests being rejected, and offers travel cancellation tips in a video series to assist consumers amid this high level of uncertainty. Derwest reported.

At the same time, countries like Israel and Ukraine continue to woo tourists even though they are also in crisis mode. However, the greatly increased security risks have led to many holidaymakers refraining from traveling to Turkey. The Foreign Office initially published travel advice for Turkey, but without issuing an explicit travel warning. It should be noted that these mere instructions are not sufficient to enable a booked trip to be canceled free of charge. However, some tour operators are accommodating and offer rebookings.

Security situation and recommendations

The current security situation in Turkey requires increased attention from travelers. Urgent travel warnings apply in particular to the border areas with Iraq and Syria, such as the provinces of Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Sırnak and Hakkâri. Even in large cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, political protests can lead to traffic delays and public transport cancellations. Travelers should avoid crowds and demonstrations as they can be potentially dangerous.

To ensure your safety, the Federal Foreign Office recommends signing up to a crisis preparedness list and paying attention to current news and weather reports during your stay. It is advisable to have sufficient travel health insurance cover and to find out about entry requirements from the relevant authorities. Regarding financial caution, the authority warns of an increase in counterfeiting of foreign banknotes, especially in Istanbul.

Travel information and tips on how to behave

Travelers to Turkey should also be aware that German citizens may be arbitrarily arrested or prevented from entering the country. The common reason for such arrests is suspicion of support for terrorist organizations, which further exacerbates the security situation. Involvement in political activities in Germany has led to problems with entry in the past.

Crime rates are generally low, although visitors should exercise caution against pickpockets and fraud. Women traveling alone, in particular, report sexual assault, which requires additional caution. Due to its geographical location, Turkey is also affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes and forest fires, which can occur frequently in the summer months. The Foreign Office provides detailed information on these topics and recommends adapting to local customs during your stay.