travel news review

14 April '99
The wave of violence that flared when Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan was arrested last month continues. In the latest incident, a suicide bomb attack in Istanbul's main pedestrian shopping precinct of Taksim Square claimed 10 victims. The bomber is said to have been a young woman. It follows a suicide bomb attack in the eastern province of Van last week. The Turkish government is keen to minimise the impact these tragedies will have on the country's tourism industry.

9 April '99
The 'Republic Train' has begun the first leg of its journey, from Istanbul to Ankara, on a year-long itinerary taking it along every kilometre of railway track in the country. Sponsored by government railway and youth media groups, the steam-powered locomotive is a replica of that used by Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. Mementoes of the War of Independence will be displayed, and a documentary will be made to commemorate the journey.

6 April '99
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised travellers who are planning to be in Turkey for ANZAC day services on 25 April to get themselves organised as soon as possible. Accommodation in the Gallipoli area, particularly for the night of 24 April, is very heavily booked well in advance of ANZAC day. Travellers will need to make bookings as early as possible to secure accommodation. For those visitors staying in Canakkale, there will be ferries from Canakkale to Eceabat. Given the likely traffic congestion on the peninsula on the morning of 25 April, visitors are strongly advised to take the ferries which sail at either 2am or 3am or to park their vehicles in Eceabat on the 24th. Further information on the ANZAC services is available from the Department's internet site www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice/turkey_anzac.html.

17 March '99
The Kurdish rebel movement, the PKK, has announced through a pro-Kurdish news agency in Germany that it will target the lucrative Turkish tourism industry in the wake of last month's capture of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

The PKK stated that the 15-year Kurdish struggle for independence is entering a new phase and warned all tourists against travelling to Turkey, claiming that the US$7 billion Turkish tourism industry is now fair game. Turkey receives 9.7 million international visitors a year, mainly to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. It is unclear if the PKK has the resources to back up its claims, but the German government has warned travellers to take the threats seriously. On the other hand, Turkey's tourism minister, Ahmet Tan, disregarded the threat.

23 December '98
Travellers are advised to defer all travel to all Middle East and Gulf countries following military strikes against Iraq. Travellers in Egypt are advised to register at their embassy and to follow local advice. Up to date advice is available on consular web sites.

11 December '98
Ramadan (Ramazen in Turkey and Iran) will commence this year on 19 December. During this sunrise-to-sunset month of fasting for Muslims, there are no actual public holidays, but sometimes it can be difficult to deal with officialdom because of relaxed and sometimes erratic business hours.

Foreigners travelling in a country where Ramadan is observed are not expected to participate in the fasting, but it is generally impolite to smoke, drink or eat in public during Ramadan. In the bigger cities, it is not so much of a problem, but avoid flaunting your kebabs in the street.

7 October '98
Relations between Turkey and Syria are especially uneasy at the moment. On Monday this week, Turkey accused Syria of supporting Kurdish rebels. While Turkey and Syria have never been the best of friends and with an increase in the number of Turkish troops in the border area, the situation at the moment is especially tense. Neighboring countries, fearing an outbreak of violence in the region, have offered to mediate before the situation escalates.

While there has not yet been a warning issued against travel to the area, extra security precautions must be taken. Recent information on travel and security precautions in eastern Anatolia can be found in the Turkey Upgrade on the Lonely Planet web site.

22 April '98
Turkey has retaliated to the price increase for visas to the US by increasing visas for US citizens to Turkey from US$20 to $45.

18 February '98
Turkey's casinos officially closed when a law passed last year banning them came into effect on Wednesday. The move by the now secular government to put the law into action continues the campaign begun by the previous Islamic dominated government against gambling. The campaign claimed that casinos promote immorality, lead to societal problems and are filled with money launderers and mobsters. Casino managers are likely to start taking tour groups to nearby casinos in countries such as Bulgaria and Cyprus.