Essential Information for Traveling to Türkiye After the Earthquakes

Currently, Türkiye is experiencing a dual reality: In the southeast, where devastating earthquakes struck on February 6, over 50,000 lives have been lost, hundreds of thousands are without homes, and 230,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed. Insufficient financial aid has led to a persistent humanitarian crisis, according to reports from the Associated Press.

"Given the vast number of people displaced, the injuries sustained, and the extent of the devastation, we are facing significant humanitarian needs at this time," stated Alvaro Rodriguez, the U.N. resident coordinator in Türkiye, in comments to the Associated Press.

However, hundreds of miles away in Türkiye’s most popular tourist destinations—like Istanbul, Bodrum, Antalya, and Cappadocia—it’s important for people to know that life is continuing as normal.

Travelers may be uncertain about whether to maintain their plans to visit Türkiye in the upcoming days, weeks, and months. As aid organizations work to gather more support for those affected in the southeast, those involved in Türkiye’s tourism industry encourage potential visitors to help the economy simply by traveling to the regions that remain unaffected.

"Türkiye’s economy heavily depends on tourism, and after enduring two and a half years of the pandemic, the impact of the earthquake is a significant blow to the local population," explains Zina Bencheikh, managing director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at global tour operator Intrepid Travel, which has 25 employees in Türkiye and runs 30 tours there; none have been canceled.

Intrepid has initiated a Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal to gather support for relief efforts and has pledged to donate all profits from bookings on its Türkiye tours through the end of April.

"Witnessing this loss has been incredibly heartbreaking for us, but we’re doing everything we can to encourage people to return," states Bencheikh.

Here’s what you need to know about the current circumstances.

Which regions in Türkiye were impacted by the earthquake?

The epicenter of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on February 6 was located near Gaziantep in southeastern Türkiye, close to the Syrian border. Numerous aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 7.5, occurring nine hours later about 60 miles to the north. At least ten Turkish provinces suffered damage: Adana, Adiyaman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, and Sanliurfa.

Nevertheless, Türkiye’s primary tourist destinations are located far from the areas affected by the earthquake. Istanbul is between 550 and 700 miles away from the severely impacted regions, while Antalya is approximately 370 miles from Gaziantep.

“Many are unaware that Türkiye is a vast country, comparable in size to the combined states of California, Oregon, and Washington,” notes Geoffrey Weill, founder and president of Geoffrey Weill Associates, Inc., the agency that represents Türkiye’s tourism marketing organization, GoTürkiye.

Are flights to Türkiye running as usual?

According to the national airline Turkish Airlines, flights to and from Türkiye are operating as normal. In fact, the carrier reported that its load factor for February 2023 remained steady compared to February 2022, and with the busy season approaching in June, the airline has assured Dinogo that it expects no significant cancellations or decreases in passenger numbers this summer.

“Tourism is a key economic sector for Türkiye, and we aim to inform travelers and consumers that Istanbul and other tourist hotspots are safe to visit, located many hours away from the earthquake's epicenter. The country needs our support now more than ever,” stated the airline in a communication with Dinogo.

Turkish Airlines serves 12 gateways in the U.S.: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. By the end of 2023, two more will be added—Denver and Detroit—bringing the total to 14.

In January, Turkish Airlines inaugurated a new lounge in Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, marking its third U.S. lounge, alongside those at Miami International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.

What’s the current status of hotels and tours?

Most hotels across Türkiye are open and inviting guests. Recently, Dinogo featured a selection of the newest hotels that have just opened in Istanbul, showcasing a stunning array of properties, including the first Peninsula hotel in Türkiye, along with the latest dining spots and activities in this vibrant city.

Tour operators are continuing with their planned itineraries in Türkiye, including companies like Intrepid, G Adventures, Trafalgar, Abercrombie & Kent, Exodus Travels, and many more.

“We are currently operating trips, so it’s definitely open for business,” says Intrepid’s Bencheikh, adding with optimism, “We’re hopeful that the earthquake will not impact bookings for Türkiye.” He mentions that there have been no cancellations for the operator.

Ways to support Türkiye and Syria in the aftermath of the earthquakes

If you're looking for ways to assist, we've compiled a list of organizations providing aid to the victims of the Türkiye–Syria earthquake.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

How to donate: doctorswithoutborders.org

Also known by its French title Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Doctors Without Borders has teams operating in northwestern Syria, where hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of tens of thousands of injured individuals from the earthquakes. The organization supplies emergency medical kits and bolsters healthcare facilities with additional medical personnel. It also provides blankets and essential life kits to those displaced in the area.

Oxfam

How to donate: oxfamamerica.org

A global coalition of local organizations dedicated to combating inequality and eradicating poverty and injustice, Oxfam's branch in Türkiye has joined forces with around 80 women’s cooperatives across 10 Turkish provinces severely impacted by the earthquakes.

Project Hope

How to donate: projecthope.org

An international nonprofit focused on empowering healthcare workers and strengthening health systems worldwide, Project Hope has sent emergency response teams to the impacted regions in Türkiye and Syria to facilitate the distribution of medicines, emergency kits, and medical supplies, as well as to assist in search and rescue operations.

The Turkish and Syrian Arab Red Crescents

How to donate: redcross.org

The global networks of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are delivering hot meals, clean water, tents, and blankets to those injured and displaced in Türkiye and Syria. They are also gathering and sending blood and plasma donations to the affected areas, assisting in search and rescue operations, providing first aid, executing emergency medical evacuations, and transporting the injured to hospitals, while also offering psychological support to the survivors.

Turkish embassy and consulates

How to donate: Contact the embassy or a local consulate
The Turkish embassy and its consulates across the United States are welcoming donations of blankets, tents, sleeping bags, pocket warmers, winter clothing, and over-the-counter medications for flu, cold, and pain relief, which can be mailed or delivered in person.