The recent earthquake in the southeastern region of Turkey near the Syrian border caused widespread damage and disruption.
Tourists traveling to Antalya may have questions about flight and holiday cancellations, and safety. This article offers answers to these and other frequently asked questions about the devastating earthquake and its impact on travel to Antalya. First, let's take a closer look at the earthquake in Turkey.
What Happened?
On Feb. 6, 2023, the southeastern region of Turkey was hit by two disastrous earthquakes. The first earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 occurred at 4.17 AM local time with a depth of 11 miles in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş province, followed hours later by a second earthquake of 7.6 magnitude in the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras.
These earthquakes are considered to be among the deadliest natural disasters this century. The disaster has so far claimed the lives of over 47,000 people and left thousands injured. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that the earthquake struck early in the morning, when everyone was still asleep.
Which Areas of Turkey Are Affected?
The earthquakes in Turkey have caused the most impact in the provinces located in the southeast of the country near the Syrian border, including Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Malatya, Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Diyarbakir, Şanlıurfa, Kilis and Adana.
Is Antalya a Safe Travel Destination Amidst the Recent Earthquake?
Yes, Antalya is considered safe to visit as it is situated far from the earthquake-affected area and has not experienced any significant impact on tourism.
Hotels and tourist attractions in Antalya, including museums and beaches, are still operating normally.
Is There a Possibility of Flight or Holiday Cancellations to Antalya?
At present, no cancellations of flights to Antalya have been announced in response to the earthquake. The flights to Antalya airports are operating normally and the likelihood of cancellations in the near future is unlikely.
However, Adana, Gaziantep, and Hatay airports in Turkey are temporarily closed for regular operations and only flights for aid and rescue teams are being permitted to land and take off from Gaziantep and Hatay airports.
Are the earthquake refugees accommodating at hotels in Belek, Antalya?
51,000 places have been allocated in Antalya hotels for citizens affected by the earthquake in Turkey. Only the hotels and guest houses of government institutions, which are closed due to the winter season, were allocated for citizens affected by the earthquake. Resorts in Belek, which are mostly open in winter season, were not accommodating the refugees. The housing problem of refugees in the medium and long term are being solved by the government.
Source: antalyatouristinformation.com, 16.02.2023
