Is it safe to travel to Turkey now?

Reports from Turkey’s opposition indicate that nearly a million individuals gathered for a rally in Istanbul.

Demonstrations continue in Turkey following the detention of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. He is regarded as the principal political rival of President Recep Erdogan of the nation. During the turmoil and chaos in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, opposition groups have effectively blocked central streets, resulting in confrontations with law enforcement. As a result, the value of the lira has taken a nosedive, prompting tourists to question the safety of visiting the nation’s resorts. What impact will the present circumstances have on the forthcoming holidays for Russians, and what will be the associated costs?

What’s Unfolding in Turkey Following the Detention of the Istanbul Mayor

On the evening of March 22, a protest in support of the detained mayor of Istanbul, Imamoglu, led to the blocking of central streets in Ankara, including the Kizilay district and Ataturk Boulevard. The individuals who arrived commenced the removal of the iron barriers and engaged in confrontation with the police. Throughout the event, law enforcement made several arrests, and certain demonstrators were compelled to lie on the asphalt by the authorities.

In Ankara, there were notable issues regarding Internet connectivity and access to social media platforms. According to RIA Novosti, security forces resorted to employing water cannons and pepper spray.

The head of the Turkish opposition Republican People’s Party, Ozgur Ozel, has stated that 550 thousand individuals gathered for the protest in the Istanbul city administration area on March 22.

Is it dangerous to travel to Turkey at this time due to the demonstrations in Istanbul?

The demonstrations by the Turkish opposition are unlikely to deter Russians who are considering a holiday in Turkey. The primary tourist areas, including Antalya, remain largely unaffected by the unrest; however, visitors to Istanbul may encounter some inconveniences owing to street closures. Artur Muradyan, the vice-president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), provided this report.

In Antalya, the primary hub for Turkish tourism, there are absolutely no threats whatsoever. It should be noted that, generally speaking, tourists tend to occupy the premises of hotels. “We do not keep a record of tour cancellations,” Muradyan emphasised.

In the meantime, hotel proprietors in Turkey are taking all necessary measures to ensure that widespread protests do not encroach upon the resort regions. Sergei Balmasov, affiliated with the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), notes that small enterprises in the republic are keen to retain Russian tourists, who significantly contribute to their revenue. The decline of the lira has adversely affected hotels and restaurants in recent years, leaving local businesses apprehensive about potential financial losses during the summer season.

What are the expected costs for Russians planning a holiday in Turkey?

The price of a typical ten-day getaway at Turkish resorts for Russian travellers has risen. According to ATOR, the minimum price has been set at 140 thousand rubles.

“Throughout the year, the cost of holidays in Turkey has risen by an average of 7.2 percent, albeit in a rather inconsistent manner: certain hotels have seen price hikes of up to a third, while others have actually reduced their rates,” observes the analytical service of ATOR. Simultaneously, the association reports that due to the ruble’s strengthening and early booking promotions offered by tour operators, there has been a reduction in the cost of tourist packages by approximately 6% over the past month.

For instance, a getaway for two at a four-star establishment will set you back between 150 and 180 thousand rubles, whereas five-star accommodations begin at around 140 thousand and can soar to 220 thousand rubles. For families with a child, the expense of a holiday in a “four” will vary between 190 and 240 thousand rubles.

In the year 2024, over 6.7 million Russians made their way to Turkey. In the forthcoming season, it appears that the Russian Federation could potentially mirror the remarkable achievement of 2019, when over seven million Russians flocked to the resorts of the republic.