Istanbul airport attack ‘the last blow’ for Turkey summer bookings
Turkey will bounce back from the latest terrorist attack, but not in time for the busy summer season, leaving people looking for a last-minute good-value holiday disappointed, say operators.
Zekiye Yucel (pictured), founder of The Discovery Collection, said: "Since last year there have been a number of instances of terrorism but what happened in Istanbul is really going to affect tourism.
"The city breaks market to Istanbul was still doing well. If you look at flights to the city, they were jam-packed. But this latest attack is scaring people – even those who said they were prepared to go before, despite the risks.
"But tourism to Turkey has declined generally and I feel that the latest incident is the last blow. People are now worried.
"We won’t be bombarded with lots of last-minute demand for Turkey now and that is a problem for the lates market.
"There are not many places to find for summer. Spain is full. Portugal is exceptionally expensive and busy. Italy is sold out.
"Those who are looking to go to places as families will not have any choice. Turkey offered exceptional value for money."
Akin Koç, MD of Anatolian Sky Holidays, said the company has been in touch with clients due to travel to Turkey to review their plans if required, but none of those booked to travel to Istanbul and beyond has opted to change their plans.
However, he said the situation this summer is ‘very concerning’ as bookings to Turkey are down by 50%. "We had been hoping that there might be a surge of last minute bookings for this summer and, although we have seen the number of enquiries rising very slightly in recent weeks, this has not yet materialised and each time Turkey hits the headlines people are prompted to think twice about booking," he said.
"Those clients who are opting not to travel to Turkey this year are switching to alternative Mediterranean destinations such as Croatia, which has been doing well for us.
"It is perhaps worth noting that the feedback we have had from clients who have travelled to the Turkish coast so far this summer has been overwhelmingly positive and they have enjoyed their holidays as normal. We would still urge any holidaymakers looking for a good value, last-minute deal to consider Turkey."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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