The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel warning for tourists heading to Turkey as well as for Brits already on holiday in the region
A fresh travel warning has been issued for tourists either planning a holiday to Turkey or already soaking up the sun there. Turkey, with its vibrant cities like Antalya and Istanbul, attracts millions of travellers each year.
On March 24, the Foreign Office updated its advice for those visiting Istanbul and other Turkish cities due to ongoing protests and demonstrations. The travel authority warned that “demonstrations may become violent. The police response has included use of tear gas and water cannons.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides travel guidance to help British nationals make informed decisions about foreign travel, with a focus on their safety and security. It offers information on potential risks and advice on how to stay safe while abroad.
For those travelling to Turkey during this period of unrest, the FCDO advises:.
Recent tensions in the region, sparked by events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, have led to significant protests outside diplomatic missions associated with the conflict, especially Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul, as reported by the Liverpool Echo, reports the Mirror.
The FCDO strongly urges all UK tourists in Turkey to “avoid all demonstrations and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted.”
Additionally, the government body cautions: “FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the Turkey-Syria border.”
To enter Turkey, ensure your passport has an ‘expiry date’ of at least 150 days beyond your arrival date and includes at least one blank page for visa stamps. If your travel document is substandard or you try to enter with a passport reported as lost or stolen, you’ll be denied entry at the border.
In a separate development, the UK government issued a travel advisory for Turkey in February, warning of the dangers of counterfeit alcohol. The Foreign Office cautioned: “In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.”
Those with concerns are advised to consult their tour operators or the Turkish authorities for guidance.
If you or someone you know falls ill from drinking alcohol in Turkey, it’s vital to seek “urgent medical attention” immediately. To help you stay safe when buying alcohol in Turkey, the FCDO has provided safety tips.
Included in the advice is the following recommendations which people travelling to Turkey should take note of and follow closely during the period of their stay:
- monitor local media
- plan ahead to avoid disruption
- avoid crowds and demonstrations
Tensions have escalated in the region due to events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This has led to large-scale protests outside diplomatic missions linked to the conflict, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul,
