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With its historic cities and stunning coastlines, Türkiye remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for European travellers.
In 2025, the country welcomed 63.4 million visitors, with Russia, Germany and the UK the top markets for inbound travel.
Despite geopolitical tensions elsewhere in the wider region, and Türkiye’s geographic proximity, some travellers may be reconsidering planned trips to the country during the busy Easter and summer holiday seasons.
As a member of NATO, Türkiye is well defended and its military strength makes it one of the safest countries in the region. It will also ensure that tourism is not affected by regional tensions, protecting one of the country’s key economic drivers.
Türkiye does share borders with Syria to the south and Iran to the east. However, the main tourism hubs in the west and centre of the country are located far from these areas. This means the “daily reality for tourists remains largely unaffected”, PA Turkey reports.
Flights from European cities to major Turkish airports, including Istanbul’s two main commercial airports and Antalya Airport, are continuing to operate according to schedule. Flag carrier Turkish Airlines has only cancelled services to select locations across the Middle East and the Gulf.
‘Business as usual’
Popular destinations such as Istanbul, the Turkish Riviera and the capital Ankara “continue to operate normally”, PA Turkey said. Chris Bazos, travel specialist and president of Travelous, told the website that “all is well, and it’s business as usual”.
Istanbul, Türkiye’s largest city and a major tourism gateway, lies in the northwest of the country, thousands of kilometres from areas currently experiencing tensions. The Turkish Riviera – including well-known holiday resorts such as Antalya, Bodrum and Marmaris – is located along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts in the southwest.
In a statement issued to Austrian newspaper Heute, the Austrian Travel Association said that travel to Türkiye “will be possible without restrictions”, and there is “currently absolutely no reason not to book a holiday on the Turkish Riviera and look forward to it”.
What is the official travel advice?
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to “within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”.
The US Department of State advises travellers to “exercise increased caution” if planning trips to Türkiye. It also says to not travel to southeast Türkiye.
Most travel insurance policies are unlikely to cover cancellations made purely as a precaution. In practice, this means travellers who choose not to go ahead with their trip may not be eligible for a full refund from airlines, hotels or tour operators.
Those considering postponing their holiday are advised to contact their travel provider and insurance company directly to discuss the options available under their specific booking conditions and policy.
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