Two major earthquakes hit Turkey on 6 February 2023 and damaged buildings in Southeastern Anatolia and Syria.
Earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 occurred nine hours apart, claimed thousands of lives, and injured many more.
We express our condolences and sympathy to those who lost their lives and their loved ones, to the victim of the disaster, and to those still living in the shelter.
Effects on the travel industry
The earthquakes, of course, affected all of us living in this country. Like every people in Turkey, we try our best to support people in the affected region. Of course, we are grateful for international aid and support.
Tourists visit the ruins of EphesusTurkey is one of the most visited countries in the world thanks to its historical and cultural attractions. As people working in this sector, we continue our work and guide travelers who want to visit our country.
Flights to and from Turkey were not affected and international airlines continue their flights as normal. Some airports in the affected area were briefly shut after the earthquake but later reopened.
Leading tourism destinations such as Istanbul, Antalya, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Izmir are located far outside the earthquake-hit areas and continue to welcome visitors as usual.
Which cities were affected by the earthquake?
Ten cities were affected by the earthquake, and a national emergency was announced for these provinces by the Turkish government. These cities are Kahramanmaras, Gaziantep, Hatay, Malatya, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Sanliurfa, Kilis, Osmaniye, and Adana.
These cities are home to many unique touristic places such as Göbeklitepe, Mount Nemrut, and Zeugma Ancient City. But unfortunately, these places will be closed to visitors for a while.
Should I visit Turkey now?
Many governments, including the US and UK, have urged travelers to avoid certain areas affected by the earthquake. However, no advice has been given for travelers to stay away from unaffected areas.
But of course, you should check the official travel advice of your country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And if you have concerns about an upcoming trip, you should call your travel agent and ask about the available options.