Turkey issues 3-word message to UK tourists ahead of Easter and summer | World | News
Türkiye is famous for its beaches (Image: Getty)
Tourism chiefs in Türkiye have declared that business for the holiday industry is normal despite the ongoing war in neighboring Iran. Turkish authorities have sought to reassure holidaymakers that the country remains fully operational, with flights, hotels and package holidays continuing as normal.
The announcement follows reports from travel companies that there has been a sharp decline in bookings for Eastern Mediterranean destinations including Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt due to fears they could be affected by conflict in the Middle East. Package holiday operator On the Beach said last week there had been a “significant slowdown in demand following the outbreak of hostilities in the region”. The statement added: “It is unknown when the conflict will end and the way demand for these destinations will recover.”
READ MORE: Dubai, Cyprus, Qatar and Greece latest travel advice in Middle East war
READ MORE: Iran warns Brits that beaches in Cyprus, Türkiye and Greece are ‘no longer safe’
Istanbul is a popular city break for tourists (Image: Getty)
It is said that holidaymakers who were planning to visit Gulf destinations such as Dubai, as well as the Eastern Mediterranean, are increasingly shifting their trips to Western Europe and the Caribbean due to the conflicts.
Countries where demand is increasing include Portugal, Italy, Spain and Jamaica.
As the Easter holidays approach and more people consider summer holidays, Turkish tourism officials have stressed that Türkiye, a popular destination for Brits, remains a safe option for visitors.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, together with the Turkish Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), said that visitor activities continue uninterrupted throughout the country.
Officials stressed that tourism was “proceeding normally.” Manchester Evening News reported.
According to Ankara’s defense ministry, NATO air defense systems have shot down three ballistic missiles fired from Iran at Türkiye since the war began three weeks ago.
In a statement earlier this week, Turkish industry chiefs confirmed that every destination, accommodation, tour and entertainment center was operating as planned; There are no interruptions, interruptions or government-mandated restrictions on tourism activities anywhere in the region.
Passengers were reassured that all air services connecting the UK and Ireland to Turkish airports were operating on time, including routes to popular destinations such as Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum and Izmir.
Officials added that airports or carriers within the country did not face closures, restrictions or diversions due to “regional events.”
Tourism officials insisted Türkiye will remain “an important, reliable and high-value destination for the UK and Irish markets in 2026 and beyond”.
The country is calling on travel companies and booking platforms to “actively sell” getaway deals for summer 2026.
