Decline in Sales of Istanbul Tours Examined Following Earthquake
Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
A whopping 30% of short-term vacation reservations have either been scrapped or pushed back, mostly towards September and beyond. That's the word from Orhan Sanjar, Russia and CIS coordinator for tour operator Pegas Touristik, regarding bookings for Istanbul. This dismal prediction is echoed by Kadir Baydur, the bigwig at Istantour, who reports no cancellations for ongoing tours.
But what has everyone so rattled? Well, on April 23, an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 rocked Istanbul. The tremor's epicenter was nestled in the Marmara Sea, near the Silivri district, and sent more than 200 people tumbling to the ground with injuries andMore than a thousand buildings shaking in their foundations.
Following this seismic shock, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported several aftershocks, the strongest measuring 4.9. The last tremor, a feeble 1.9, stirred up some fear in western Turkey on April 29.
All this commotion has left many travelers questioning their vacation plans. In fact, the UK Foreign Office has updated its travel guidance for Turkey, flagging areas impacted by seismic activity, including Istanbul[3]. This alarming development, coupled with the recent earthquake and the ongoing threat of aftershocks, has many travelers reconsidering their holiday destinations.
You might wonder, "What about Istanbul's main attractions? Are they still standing strong?" Fear not! iconic landmarks and city tours remain unscathed, for now. However, lingering concerns about post-2023 earthquake recovery efforts—including the fact that millions still reside in temporary accommodations—may amplify perceptions of instability.
So, what's a traveler to do? On the one hand, direct exposure to tremors could deter the risk-averse. On the other, authorities and tour operators are working overtime to reassure the public with preparedness and safety protocols[1][2]. The long-term outlook depends heavily on the communication of safety measures and the avoidance of further significant quakes.
Stay tuned for more updates! In the meantime, follow us on Telegram at @expert_mag for the latest scoop on Istanbul, Turkey, and earthquakes.
Hashtags: #Turkey #Istanbul #Earthquake #Tourism
- The earthquake in Istanbul with a magnitude of 6.2 on April 23 has led to 30% of short-term vacation reservations for Istanbul being scrapped or pushed back.
- Kadir Baydur, from Istantour, reports no cancellations for ongoing tours in Istanbul, but travelers are reconsidering their holiday destinations due to the ongoing threat of aftershocks.
- The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center reported several aftershocks following the initial earthquake, with the strongest measuring 4.9.
- Despite some iconic landmarks and city tours remaining unscathed, lingering concerns about post-2023 earthquake recovery efforts and millions still residing in temporary accommodations may amplify perceptions of instability for travelers considering Istanbul as a destination.
