The Bosphorus, Istanbul

FCO to review Turkey travel advice following bomb attack

28-Jul-08 Christy Wyatt

The country is currently classed as having a high level of risk of terrorism following an attack on the US Consulate in Istanbul on 9 July, which killed three Turkish police officers.
However, an FCO spokesman told Luxury Travel: "We will be reviewing our advice in light of the recent explosions."
Two bombs exploded in Istanbul's Gungoren district yesterday, killing 16 people and injuring 154.

From January to April 2008 visitors to Turkey from the European Union increased by 18.75 per cent.
From January to July 2008 Turkey received over 765,500 visitors  from the UK, up over 17% on the same period for 2007.

The Turkish Culture and Tourism Office in London said: "Sunday's events took place outside of the usual tourism resorts and destinations which are situated on the South coast of Turkey.
"However, the Turkish Culture and Tourism Office suggests that travellers intending to visit Istanbul in the near future check their holiday details with their travel agent or tour operator."

Sarah Arnesen, marketing manager at Anatolian Sky, said bookings had not been affected by the incident.
"Travellers from the UK are very resilient to such news," she told Luxury Travel.
"I do not expect this to have a negative effect on bookings to Turkey.
"This year has been a great year for luxury travel to Turkey and we have seen a huge increase in bookings of tailor-made holidays."
Cappadocia and beach resorts such as Akyaka and Kumlubuk are also proving popular, she added.

www.fco.gov.uk, www.gototurkey.co.uk

Have any of your clients or bookings been affected by this incident? To comment, email christy.wyatt@haymarket.com.