Should tourists travel to Türkiye during this time?

Türkiye is one of the most visited countries in the world, not only because of its unique geography, culture, and history, but also because of its safety and affordability. It's known as the "Crossroads of Civilizations" because it's a country where Asia and Europe meet, creating a unique culture unlike anywhere else. Besides its unique festivals, the country is known for its many scenic attractions, especially its sunny beaches that offer warm winters in Europe.

Following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Gaziantep in southeastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border, on February 7th, many tourists are wondering if it's safe to travel to Türkiye in the coming days. Most tourists visiting top tourist destinations – mostly far from the earthquake-affected areas – remain unaffected.

Which areas are affected by earthquakes?

Approximately 10 Turkish provinces were affected: Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa. The 2,000-year-old Gaziantep Castle, one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, suffered significant damage from the earthquake.

"Several fortifications to the east, south, and southeast of the ancient Gaziantep castle in the central Şahinbey district were destroyed by the earthquake, with debris scattered on the streets," reported Turkey's state news agency Anadolu.

The city of Aleppo is also one of the hardest-hit areas in northwestern Syria.

The city of Gaziantep (in the province of the same name) and its surrounding areas were the hardest hit, according to the Independent. Located in the southeast, near the Syrian border, it is far from the two popular tourist destinations of Antalya (almost 600 km) and Istanbul (over 850 km). Cappadocia, a popular hot air ballooning destination, is also nearly 500 km away. Therefore, tourists visiting these areas are unlikely to be affected.

Are flights to Türkiye being cancelled?

According to CNN's update on February 9th, international airlines are still operating flights to and from the country. The Turkish news agency Demirören News Agency reported that Adana Airport in Türkiye is closed until further notice, while nearby Hatay Airport (HTY) is also closed due to runway damage. Istanbul Airport, Turkey's main international airport, remains operational. Travelers flying to any affected airport should contact their airline for the latest information.

Recommendations from governments of various countries.

The US government advised "avoiding travel to areas affected by the earthquake." The British Foreign Office said people should "avoid traveling to nearby (affected) areas." However, neither country advised its citizens to avoid other unaffected areas of Türkiye.

Yen Nhi