Families with holidays booked to Turkey for the upcoming half-term holidays have been advised to continue to check Foreign Office advice before travelling. The country, a popular holiday destination for British families, was recently hit by two devastating earthquakes that have claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.
Now, with half-term holidays approaching, the Foreign Office is warning people wishing to holiday in the country to double-check advice before travelling. Holidaymakers are advised that “most visits are trouble-free” but should “follow the information and advice from local authorities and your tour operator”.
Tourists are further advised to “avoid the vicinity” of the earthquakes, where rescue operations are ongoing and only aid vehicles are permitted entry. The provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Gaziantep, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adana were affected.
Read more: How you can help the Turkey and Syria appeals after earthquakes kill more than 5,000
Popular holiday destinations in the west of the country, such as Ankara and Istanbul, remain open and operating as usual. The cities are hundreds of miles from the earthquake zone.
However, there remains the possibility of aftershocks and the Foreign Office reminds travellers that they should familiarise themselves with safety procedures and, in the event of an earthquake, follow the advice of local authorities.
At the moment, official Government advice also warns against all travel to areas within 10km of the border with Syria and against all but essential travel to Sirnak and the province of Hakkari. These warnings are in place due to ongoing fighting in Syria.
The Government further warns of a heightened threat of terrorist attacks against synagogues, Embassies/Consulates and other places frequented by Westerners in Istanbul. Travellers are told to “exercise caution and follow the advice of local security authorities, monitor media reports and keep up to date with travel advice”.
Tips for holidaying in Turkey
If you are heading to Turkey for a break, make sure that you have everything in place for an easy break. Entry rules state that your passport should be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive and there should be a full blank page for entry and exit stamps.
British citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or building purposes are allowed to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days.
Travellers are also advised to always carry their passports at all times. It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in the country.
It is noted that in busy areas, such as Istanbul, authorities have been known to stop members of the public for ID checks. When carrying your passport, keep it in a safe and secure place, such as a bag with a theft-proof zip, and be wary of pickpockets.
Lastly, experts are advising people to make sure that they take out a travel insurance policy as soon as they book their holiday. This means that you’re as protected as you can be in case anything goes wrong.
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