Tourism chiefs in Turkey today confirmed all resorts, hotels and attractions are ‘operating as booked’, despite increasing travel anxiety surrounding the Middle East conflict.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, together with Turkey’s Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), said tourism is ‘proceeding as normal’ across the country’s popular holiday hotspots.
Turkey ranks as the fourth most popular country for tourism, having welcomed a record 64 million international visitors in 2025.
Yet demand for UK bookings to the likes of Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt has plummeted since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran began in late February.
Package holidays to countries near the Middle East conflict are now being sold for as little as £100, while flights to Turkey have dropped to just £15, as travel firms try to win bookings from concerned travellers.
However, Turkish tourism officials have confirmed that travel to the country remains unaffected, with operations continuing ‘without disruption’.
Despite increasing anxiety from travellers surrounding the Middle East conflict, officials in Turkey confirmed hotels, resorts and excursions the country are operating as normal
All UK/Ireland flights to and from Turkish airports – including Istanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir and other major international hubs – are departing on schedule.
All the while, airlines serving the country have reported no flight disruptions, restrictions, or cancellations linked to the regional conflict.
According to officials, all tourism operations – including hotels, resorts, experiences and excursions – are running normally with no government-mandated restrictions or disruptions.
In a statement, Turkey’s Tourism Ministry added: ‘Summer 2026 is on sale.
‘Tour operators, OTAs and booking partners are encouraged to actively sell Turkey for the full 2026 summer season.
‘Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry is committed to supporting partner communications with data, quotes, and briefings on request.’
Meanwhile, British travellers are cancelling holidays to Cyprus as fears grow over the Iran war – despite officials saying the island remains safe to visit.
The popular Mediterranean hotspot, which welcomed four million international visitors in 2025, relies heavily on tourism from the UK, with British travellers making up around a third of arrivals.
According to officials, UK/Ireland flights to and from major Turkish airports, including Istanbul (pictured, stock image), Izmir, and Antalya, are departing on schedule
However, its location in the far eastern Mediterranean, just 100 miles from the coast of Lebanon and Syria in the Middle East, means the country is seeing a decline in its usual visitor numbers as regional instability grows.
A drone launched by a pro-Iranian militia recently struck the British military base at RAF Akrotiri, located in the Western Sovereign Base Area, on 2 March, placing the island closer to the regional security situation.
Numerous flights to and from Cyprus have been cancelled since the drone incident, according to the Cyprus Mail.
And this uncertainty has reportedly led tourists to reconsider their holiday plans, with locals worried about the potential impact of the conflict, especially with the Easter holidays approaching.
Local business owner Vassilis Georgiou told the Guardian that people are ‘thinking twice’ about visiting.
He added: ‘It may be early days but I’ve been here since 1992 and suddenly hoteliers are saying bookings are down.’
One establishment told the i Paper they were ‘about 10 per cent behind’ on hotel bookings in April compared to last year.
Foto Kikillos, a representative from Ayia Napa’s town hall, added: ‘We’re hearing of cancellations.’ However, he was cautious to add: ‘Life here is very safe. People are enjoying themselves.’
Source link
CHECK OUT: Top Travel Destinations
READ MORE: Travel News
