Is Turkey safe for tourists? Important things to know OR Safety concerns to know before travelling to Turkey

 

A country in the Mediterranean, Turkey has become a popular tourist destination for travelers all over the world. However, there are various risks involved for tourists planning to visit Turkey. From high crime rates to lack of health support, travelers can face various potential challenges during their visit to Turkey. Therefore, it is highly recommended to extensively plan their next trip to Turkey during the holiday season.

 

Here are some of the factors that travelers must remain aware of:

High crime rate

Travelers are recommended to be aware ofpickpockets and thieves at popular tourists spots, restaurants, and public transport. Pickpocketing, mugging and petty other thefts are recurring concerns on the streets of Istanbul and other regions including the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and Taksim Square. Travelers are urged to hold their bags tightly by their sides and stay alert to their surroundings.

 

Turkish gangs and increasing terrorism

Besides pickpocketing, violent crimes are also prominent in the country due to the presence of Turkish gangs. Terrorism has emerged to be a major worry for tourists in recent years due to active attacks on prominent regions in the country.

 

Reckless public transport operators

Local drivers in the country are known to drive recklessly, ignoring important traffic rules and signs. Therefore, it is important for tourists to be cautious while travelling in public transportation to ensure safe travel in the country. Furthermore, taxi drivers often trick customers into paying more or by giving wrongful information about the costs and tourists places.

 

Lack of proper health support

Amid increasing COVID-19 cases in the country, Turkish healthcare infrastructural was deficient and failed to follow regulations. The hassled nature of Turkey’s healthcare system has been unable to provide the necessary healthcare support to infected tourists. Therefore, tourists are advised to avoid travelling to Turkey, particularly in case of possible symptoms of infections, due to the lack of systematic healthcare support.