Speaking at the Elite Conference for Independents in Cadiz, The Independent senior travel editor Simon Calder said any concerns among tourists about visiting the country due to its border with Syria are entirely unfounded.
He explained with 400,000 soldiers, the country has the biggest army in Europe, adding: “If an Isis soldier puts a boot across the border I don’t think they’re getting as far as Bodrum frankly.”
Instead, he said the country has “shot itself in the foot” with its new e-visa system which only takes payments in dollars, despite being on Europe’s doorstep.
Calder added the confusion caused over how long a passport’s validity needs to be if the visa is to be accepted has also worsened the situation
He highlighted the discrepancy where British Airways believes five months will suffice while easyJet claims it needs to be valid for a further eight months. Turkish Airlines meanwhile claims it is six months.
Calder recommended agents ensure customers have eight months validity on their passports from the point of arrival to avoid any problems.
He urged the trade to make thier feelings known over the iniquities, adding: "They (the Turks) refuse to talk to me, that might be because I’m a journalist within the travel industry. Perhaps they might talk to you."
He also urged the trade to continue sending customers to Egypt where their money can still help the country.
“It (the potential for trouble) is always going to be a problem but you need to remind people it is a fantastic destination,” Calder said.
“You are part of the solution if you decide to go to Egypt and you put some money into their economy.”
Calder congratulated the trade’s handling of events in Tunisia in the wake of the terrorist attack on the beach resort near Sousse and the role it played in evacuating holidaymakers after the event.
But he reminded delegates that they need to speak out about the work they do in such situations and that makes them such a valuable way of booking a break.
Calder said: “It was a chance to say in a situation where there’s a lot happening… if you have booked through a travel agent you are in a much stronger position.”
While terrorism concerns in Turkey will take a long term for the authorities to deal with, the new visa situation is a self-inflicted wound which must be rectified as soon as possible
