What Will Happen To Turkey In The Future?

It has been a few months ago since the awful terrorist attacks in Turkey. At the time many cruise lines stopped visiting and readjusted itineraries to visit other countries. This is still continuing as of now with P&O recently announcing on the Aurora 19 night cruise in November, they have dropped Kusadasi for Sarande in Albania.  Holland America and Seabourn have pulled out of Turkey altogether for the reminder of the year.

I do think the right actions were taken when the attacks happened, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Silverseas did reroute a few ships at the time and have since resumed calling into ports Kusadasi and Bodrum. Princess and Cunard will also be stopping there for the reminder of what is left of the summer season.

Of course the cruise lines do have clients and staff safety to think about and take advice from the Foreign Office.  Interestingly the Foreign office has recently eased it’s warning to “The situation in Turkey has calmed following an attempted coup overnight on 15-16 July 2016. The security environment, however, remains potentially volatile.”  Whilst the US department of state quotes “to caution U.S. citizens of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey and to avoid travel to southeastern Turkey.

This has had a devastating impact on the tourist areas of Turkey. Those of you who have recently travelled there on holiday tell me it is very quiet and people are suffering because the tourists are not arriving in such huge numbers as they normally would be.

Now it is near the end of the traditional summer season, so what is in store I wonder for next year?  Some Turkish publications are suggesting that Turkey has already bounced back to what it was – I think that is probably a little premature!   Turkey is still showing in itineraries for next year so I can only surmise that it’s all good to go.  It is a beautiful country, with some fantastic historical sights.  There will be of course a much larger security presence in the country.

Some people say why visit a country which has had attacks in the past but you can say that for the majority of countries now, such as France, Belgium, Germany etc. What do you think? Would you consider Turkey as a holiday destination or even as a port of call? I would be interested to hear your comments.