Decline in bookings for Istanbul tours evaluated by travel agencies following earthquake event
Heads Up! Here's the Scoop on Istanbul's Tourism Amid Earthquakes
Istanbul, the mystical city of culture and history, is seeing a bit of a quake in the tourism department. Orhan Sanjar, the Russia and CIS coordinator for Pegas Touristik, reveals that around 30% of short-term bookings have been either canceled or postponed, mostly tilting towards September and beyond. This trend mirrors the predictions of Kadir Baydur, executive director of the large receiving company Istantour, who reports a 25% drop in tour sales during the same period compared to the previous year.
That's not all - back on April 23, an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 hit Istanbul. Its epicenter was a mere 6.99 km deep in the Marmara Sea, close to the Silivri district's coastline. The fallout from this shocker included over 200 injuries and over a thousand damaged buildings, as reported by Turkish authorities. With the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center registering new tremors of up to 4.9 magnitude for numerous days post that, the last one measuring 1.9 magnitude on April 29 in western Turkey, it’s clear that Istanbul has been shaking more than just its spectacular architecture!
While things might seem grim, fret not, fellow adventure seekers. Istanbul remains a captivating destination, ready to charm tourists with its historical charm, iconic landmarks, and rich cultural events. Although the frequency of tremors may raise some eyebrows, Istanbul fared relatively well during the larger quakes in 2023 with no direct damage, thanks to its resilient infrastructure and safety measures implemented by local authorities.
So, if you're eyeing a voyage to the land of the Oriental Express, do keep an eye on local advisories and stay updated on earthquake-related alerts. Who knows, your tour to this magical city might just be the healing balm the region needs!
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Tags: #Turkey #Istanbul #Earthquake #Tourism
- According to the Russia and CIS coordinator for Pegas Touristik, Orhan Sanjar, around 30% of short-term bookings in Istanbul have been either canceled or postponed, primarily until September and beyond.
- Kadir Baydur, the executive director of Istantour, reported a 25% drop in tour sales in Istanbul during the same period compared to the previous year, mirroring the trend of cancellations.
- Politicians and seismological experts alike are keeping a close watch on Istanbul, as the city has experienced several tremors, including a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in April, causing over 200 injuries and more than a thousand damaged buildings.
- Despite the seismic activity, general news outlets have continued to report on crime and justice in Istanbul, with local authorities ensuring the city's resilient infrastructure and safety measures help it withstand larger quakes with minimal direct damage.
