Brits issued new Turkey travel warnings as record number of holidaymakers to visit this year
THE UK government has updated the travel advice for Brits heading to Turkey this year, ahead of an expected record number of holidaymakers.
Last year, 3.3million Brits visited Turkey, according to the FCDO.
This was up from pre-pandemic’s 2.9million in 2019 – although numbers are expected to increase again this year
In response, the FCDO has reiterated some of the travel warnings in place for UK holidaymakers heading to Turkey.
Tourists heading on boozy holidays have been warned about drink spiking.
The website states: “Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK.
“Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times so they are not spiked.
“Be wary of strangers approaching you offering food and drink (which may be drugged), to change money or to take you to a restaurant or nightclub.”
There is also a threat of passports being stolen from some holiday villas, so it is advised to keep them locked up.
They state: “Passports have been stolen from rented villas, even when they have been kept in the villa safe.
“This is a particular problem in Didim, Kas, Kalkan and the Fethiye/Hisaronu/Ovacik areas.”
Other advice includes only using registered yellow taxis and vigilance against sexual assault, as there have been “some attacks on minors visiting toilet facilities alone”.
Despite the warnings, the government website says crime levels are “low” and holidaymakers should have the same level of awareness as in the UK.
To visit Turkey, tourists need to have at least 150 days left on their passport from the date of arrival.
For example, if you were visiting Turkey on August 1, 2023, your passport would need to be valid until at least December 29, 2023.
Brits need to have a full blank page for entry and exit stamps.
Even if your passport isn’t full, you need to have an entire page without any other stamps or visas on it when you visit.
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