Tourism in Turkey 'may be affected' by ISIL attacks

MUĞLA – Anadolu Agency

South Aegean Touristic Hotel Keeper and Managers Association (GETOB) Head Bülent Bülbüloğlu warned on a drop on tourist numbers next year due to conflict in the Syrian and Iraqi borders. AA Photo

Tourism has not been widely affected by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) attacks near the Turkey-Syria border, but there are concerns about the upcoming year’s reservations, said the head of the Aegean Tourism Association.

South Aegean Touristic Hotel Keeper and Managers Association (GETOB) Head Bülent Bülbüloğlu said there have been no major reservation cancelations in 2014 due to the ISIL attacks taking place near the Turkish border, nor cancelations due to the incidents in Turkey to protest ISIL’s attacks, which have left 37 dead. However, there are concerns for reservations for 2015.

“Sales for 2015 are ongoing and we face questions from especially the British market. I believe the British press is publishing news that incidents occurring in the Middle East have also started in Turkey. This causes frustration among the possible customers who are considering coming to Turkey,” said Bülbüloğlu.

“If these negativities do not continue, we will not face any problems, but if they do and it stays on the agenda, reservations for 2015 will be affected.”