Turkey hopes to encourage the return of Ukrainian tourists in July, who usually flock to Turkey’s coastal resorts and beaches every summer.
It is Turkey’s goal to welcome at least 100,000 Ukrainian tourists, just 45,000 tourists less than the levels enjoyed last July, according to Nurhan Kaplan, deputy director of the Turkish branch of Ukrainian tour operator Coral Travel.
After the establishment of a visa-free agreement between the two nations in April 2018, a reported 1.35 million Ukrainian tourists have visited Turkey. It remains one of the most popular destinations for Ukrainian holidaymakers.
However, the lockdown of borders has left Ukrainians unable to travel to one of their favorite destinations.
Turkey resumed its flights with Ukraine only on July 1, stipulating generous incentives such as free COVID-19 tests for passengers showing symptoms and quarantine-free travel to tourist destinations, meaning they don’t have to self-isolate when they arrive in Turkey.
Turkey has moved to protect its tourism industry, establishing a Safe Tourism Certification Program to airlines, transport companies, hotels and restaurants, which means that they maintain a high level of sanitation and regular insections.
According to Tripadvisor, the website recently established by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before traveling, Ukrainian tourists will have to purchase a COVID-19 insurance policy, which can be purchased online, from the tour operator, when purchasing airline tickets from certain travel agents or an arrival at the airport in Turkey.
Despite Turkey’s relatively low rate of coronavirus and its appearance on many nations’ “safe-to-travel” lists, the reported 100,000 tourist goal may still be just too optimistic, according to Turkish pro-government newspaper Daily Sabah.
As of now, the arrivals do not account for even 10% of the last years’ figures, but local tour operators expect things to get busier after mid-July when then flight frequency increases, the newspaper reported on July 7.
Turkey suspended international flights in late March in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
CORONAVIRUS IN UKRAINE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- As of July 9: 1,327 people have died from the disease in Ukraine and 23,784 have recovered.
- 49,043 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Ukraine as of July 6. The first case was identified on March 3.
- Ukraine entered the fourth stage of lifting quarantine on June 10.
- Indoor restaurants, domestic flights resumed on June 5, international flights on June 15
- How the Ukrainian government has been responding: TIMELINE
- Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro subways reopened on May 25.
- Why the Kyiv Post isn’t making its coverage free in the times of COVID-19.
- With international travel on hold, Ukrainians prepare to travel across Ukraine
- TripsGuard website tracks coronavirus travel restrictions in 84 nations.
- Where to buy masks.
