Perhaps stealing a march on more-cautious sunshine destinations, Turkey says it expects to be open to travelers from everywhere this summer, with or without a vaccine passport.
The announcement from the Tourism Minister has already triggered headlines in British papers, announcing it as the obvious first-choice for UK residents looking for an overseas holiday, since many other places, including most of Europe, are imposing restrictions or requiring quarantines.
The minister told press that Turkey has “world-class border processes in place for ensuring travel will be low-risk throughout Turkey” and is working with UK authorities. He said there’s no decision on whether a negative PCR test will still be required, but that he doesn’t expect that will affect Brits because of the speed with which the UK is vaccinating.
Meanwhile, Turkey is prioritizing tourism workers in its own vaccination program; according to the Turkish Culture and Information Office, “Within the scope of the programme, first of all the employees of accommodation facilities, restaurants, tour guides and travel agencies who are registered under the ‘Safe Tourism Certification Programme’ will be vaccinated.”
Photo: Along the Bosphorus, Istanbul (PHeymont/TravelGumbo)
