Prague - After evacuating their clients from Egypt amid violent riots in the past weeks, Czech travel agencies fear that soon they will also have to leave Turkey. This country, a popular destination for Czech tourists, is likely to join the proposed US-led military strike on Syria, which may be launched in the next days.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country would become a member of the international coalition against the regime of Bashar Assad in Syria.
At present the agencies say there is no imminent threat to tourists in Turkey, but they are closely monitoring the situation in the region. "No military action is planned on Turkish or Cypriot territories. These questions are premature," said Cedok spokesman Tomas Brejcha, adding that the agency is watching the situation and is ready to respond to a possible crisis.
Interview: "Syria intervention would be catastrophe"
Czech man suspected of poisoning wife,daughter in Egypt
"If the war in Syria affects tourism in Turkey, we will consider suspending flights and if necessary also evacuating tourists from the country," said Pavlina Pesova, spokesperson for Firo Tour. The travel agency currently has more than 1,000 clients in Turkey.
Travel agencies are now waiting for a statement from the Foreign Ministry, said Czech travel agency association ACCKA spokeswoman Katerina Petrickova. "In serious situations such as a military conflict, it is necessary to respect the recommendations of the ministry, which assess possible threats to the security of Czech tourists," said Petrickova.
The ministry said that so far there is no security threat to Czech citizens staying in tourist resorts in southern Turkey, specifically in the coastal cities of Antalya and Alanya. "The situation in this part of the country is calm and stable," said Petrickova.
After Egypt was hit by violent protests in the past weeks, Czech tourist agencies and tourists mostly opted for Turkey as an alternative destination.
Exim Tours evacuated around 3,000 clients from Egypt in six days last week, said spokesman Stanislav Zima.
If the Syrian instability spills over to Turkey, travel agencies will move their clients to other Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Tunisia, Spain, Italy, Portugal or Bulgaria.
Turkey was the 7th most popular destination for Czech tourists in 2012, when it was visited by 202,000 Czech nationals, an 18 percent increase from the previous year.
