Page 2 | Holiday to Turkey Booked - Don't know whether to swap

Octopus45 · 2023-02-09T20:07:20+00:00

I booked a week in Turkey for us in August (Alanya, near Antaliya). In light of the awful earthquakes (know we are 400 miles away), my DH wants to swap the holiday to somewhere else, which will incur a £200 admin feel. I'm not asking a load of people online what to do as such, but was just wondering what other people would do. Obviously August is a way off. Have spoken to TUI and they don't seem to think its too much of a problem and say that it would be cancelled anyway if it was too dangerous. We have two teenage boys (will be 16 and 13) and want an all inclusive holiday. Ideally we would like a large hotel, somewhere teenage friendly but not overrun by little kids and a football pitch. Have been looking at different alternatives but unsure. Any advice welcome

RunAwayNow · 12/02/2023 08:13

A lot of people who live in the affected areas will spend the summer months working in the tourist areas further west and send money back to their families at home. So this year they will need the tourist income more than ever.

gogohmm · 12/02/2023 08:16

It's far away and you are helping the Turkish economy by going there. I would look at the situation nearer the time, check with TUI when is the latest you could potentially swop

shockthemonkey · 12/02/2023 08:22

We’ve booked for second half May and the decision to stick to original itinerary was an easy one. Same area as you, too.

We want to show solidarity. We know we’ll get the usual warm welcome at the small family-run hotels we booked.

TheHauntedPencilCase · 12/02/2023 08:22

You should go, I went there last year. I think its easy to misunderstand the scale of a big country like Turkey.....you're miles and miles away! Were off to Istanbul at Easter which sits on a significant fault line yet I'm not put off going. This is risk travelling somewhere in an earthquake zone, I think Izmir had an earthquake a couple of years ago and I've been there too. Quakes in this region tend to be large but not regular so if you do some reading around you may feel that eases your worries.

Sarahcoggles · 12/02/2023 08:26

Anon300 · 09/02/2023 21:14

I wouldn't feel right enjoying a holiday somewhere where 1000s of people had died or been made homeless. I'd rather support them in other ways.

Life goes on for the survivors, even the bereaved ones. They still need to work and earn and live. They'll need tourists.

MamaJEI · 12/02/2023 08:34

Hello
I am in the same situation. Booked a holiday in Fethiye for the Easter holidays for myself, husband and 3 children aged 8, 4 and 5 months. Booked a week before the dreadful news.
Totally aware we are far away from the devastation, but more concerned about feeling bad that we are on holiday there despite so much devastation.
I understand the country will need the investment more than ever. But will the atmosphere be one of mourning? How can one enjoy a holiday in a country which is grieving the loss of so much life?
Anyone else going to Fethiye for the Easter holidays?
Just do not know what to do? Its our first visit and was very much looking forward to it as heard of so many lovely experiences there.

Quveas · 12/02/2023 08:42

I find it odd that you would consider cancelling going to Turkey because of an earthquake 400 miles away, rather than not booking there at all because of the dictatorship in place in the country. Erdogan has systematically and violently put down opposition to his rule, undermined human rights, restricted media freedoms, pursued oppression against Kurdish people, practiced torture... and perhaps of some interest on this site, withdrew from the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence because women's rights "undermined family values". I would be far more concerned about my holiday money going to support those things, because the earhquake victims will never see a penny of it anyway.

TheHauntedPencilCase · 12/02/2023 08:56

Quveas · 12/02/2023 08:42

I find it odd that you would consider cancelling going to Turkey because of an earthquake 400 miles away, rather than not booking there at all because of the dictatorship in place in the country. Erdogan has systematically and violently put down opposition to his rule, undermined human rights, restricted media freedoms, pursued oppression against Kurdish people, practiced torture... and perhaps of some interest on this site, withdrew from the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence because women's rights "undermined family values". I would be far more concerned about my holiday money going to support those things, because the earhquake victims will never see a penny of it anyway.

👏
The only good thing I can think of that may come from the earthquake could be that Erdoğan is finally deposed from power.

ittakes2 · 12/02/2023 09:00

what is he worried about - another earth quake? Looting? unsafe how?
I don't know a lot about earth quakes but I am guessing they are linked to earth plates moving and this sadly seems to have happened already.

Lykia · 12/02/2023 09:48

I love a Turkey AI holiday , see my name, however? my issue now is concerns the safety of their buildings. I would worry that if an earthquake were to happen there in the future would the building I was staying in withstand it.

Reading about the lack of reinforcements in some of their newer building and the construction amnesties given to building companies has now made me very wary about the robustness and safety of hotel buildings in a Turkey.

SayMyNameProperly · 12/02/2023 10:16

Quveas · 12/02/2023 08:42

I find it odd that you would consider cancelling going to Turkey because of an earthquake 400 miles away, rather than not booking there at all because of the dictatorship in place in the country. Erdogan has systematically and violently put down opposition to his rule, undermined human rights, restricted media freedoms, pursued oppression against Kurdish people, practiced torture... and perhaps of some interest on this site, withdrew from the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence because women's rights "undermined family values". I would be far more concerned about my holiday money going to support those things, because the earhquake victims will never see a penny of it anyway.

You sum up my thoughts exactly. People's willingness to overlook the issues you raise saddens me. Must be why Dubai is such a tourist hot spot too.

Quveas · 13/02/2023 22:25

SayMyNameProperly · 12/02/2023 10:16

You sum up my thoughts exactly. People's willingness to overlook the issues you raise saddens me. Must be why Dubai is such a tourist hot spot too.

Show quote history

To be fair, whilst I do agree with myself, it's really hard to find a "politically acceptable holiday destination", so I wouldn't be entirely scathing of people going on holiday to various places. I mean, even a staycation isn't exactly guilt free - have you seen the state of the UK recently??? I do think there are ways and means of trying to minimise the damage, and to raise awareness (obviously without putting oneself at risk). But I guess part of my point is that if you are going to avoid places on such grounds, then perhaps one should have balance in one consideration. Life is full of compromise. You just have to be aware that that is what you are doing.

Nofilter · 25/02/2023 14:51

Hi I've also booked to go in April. I've looked at local messaging boards and they are advertising empty hotel rooms for those who have lost their homes in Fethiye and surrounding areas.. so I do think the fall out is going to reach the holiday areas.

I've donated a considerable sum to help the emergency effort.

Without sounding heartless I do think the tourist places are going to be affected. Rents are already being doubled for locals and they are losing their long term rentals in the main tourism areas due to mass relocation...

There are reports of pharmacies being out of stock of items and lack of certain items in supermarkets too in key tourist areas..

I completely agree that resources SHOILD got to those in need.

Having saved up and spent £2500 for myself and my daughter for this trip, and put a LOT of work into making this money for this holiday I'm really nervous about travelling to Fethiye given the info I have found.

It's doubtful my insurance will cover anything and a change in destination will likely cost a small fortune.

Holiday to Turkey Booked - Don't know whether to swap

Nofilter · 25/02/2023 14:54

Anon300 · 09/02/2023 21:14

I wouldn't feel right enjoying a holiday somewhere where 1000s of people had died or been made homeless. I'd rather support them in other ways.

#this

QforCucumber · 25/02/2023 15:42

@Nofilter those hotels listed are all in Antalya, and Fethiye is nowhere near either Antalya or the area affected by the quakes.

we travel to both often, and whole still intend to this year too.

Funkyslippers · 26/02/2023 17:07

I've booked to go to Antalya in July and I'm not cancelling. Our holiday and hotel ticked all the boxes for me. It was literally the only one that had everything I wanted

AviMav · 28/02/2023 18:57

Can you follow the hotel you have booked on Facebook OP? Lots of tips and info and people will be leaving real reviews once April and May come.

I have thought the same... but I am booked to go this May so its looking. Some hotels are used to put the local people up so I would keep an eye. I wouldn't change hotels though as August is far away.

Original poster

Octopus45 · 28/02/2023 20:13

Thanks @AviMav that's a good idea.

OP posts:

RogersOrganismicProcess · 28/02/2023 20:27

Quveas · 12/02/2023 08:42

I find it odd that you would consider cancelling going to Turkey because of an earthquake 400 miles away, rather than not booking there at all because of the dictatorship in place in the country. Erdogan has systematically and violently put down opposition to his rule, undermined human rights, restricted media freedoms, pursued oppression against Kurdish people, practiced torture... and perhaps of some interest on this site, withdrew from the Council of Europe’s Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence because women's rights "undermined family values". I would be far more concerned about my holiday money going to support those things, because the earhquake victims will never see a penny of it anyway.

This! Spot on.

Russell1122 · 09/05/2023 13:51

Personally I would not go and stay in any of the high-rise hotels in Turkey, due to the fact that it appears many have been built without the earthquake specs for the building. This is down to the corruption in Turkey. I am surprised the UK is allowing there citizens to stay in unsafe hotels. The way the buildings collapsed in the recent earthquake, was clear evidence that the buildings had not been built in the correct way .
It's very sad situation, but the government of Turkey has allowed these building, so why should innocent people be put at risk.