Concern about Syria crisis
I am going to Turkey the 11th of this month as part of the Treasures of the Aegean tour but am concerned about the Syria crisis. Has Tauck considered this as a serious threat and what to expect from this situation?
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We are taking the situation in Syria very seriously. We are constantly monitoring situation with Syria very closely. The safety of our guests and staff are our highest priorities. We will be in contact should traveling to Athens and Istanbul should be impacted.
Hope this helps,
Emily
As reported in the media today, the U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Warning alerting U.S. citizens that the U.S. Consulate General in the city of Adana has been authorized to draw down non-essential personnel there due to security concerns. The State Department has also recommended that U.S. citizens “defer non-essential travel to southeastern Turkey” which lies near the Turkish border with Syria.
Please note the following:
• Today’s travel warning focuses on the U.S. Consulate in Adana in southwestern Turkey, and no similar Travel Warnings or draw downs of personnel have been issued for either the U.S. Embassy in Ankara or the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul.
• Also, the State Department’s Travel Warning noted that “there have been no direct attacks on U.S. citizens.”
• Istanbul, featured on “Turkey: Land of Contrasts” and “Treasures of the Aegean,” is 580 miles from Adana.
In light of these factors, all Tauck journeys in the region are scheduled to operate normally, with all regularly scheduled activities included.
As part of our regular office operations, Tauck’s Global Response Team and its many members monitor worldwide events and news on an on-going basis. As always, the safety and security of our guests and employees are our highest priorities.
Hope this helps,
Emily
I am not sure how you monitor but does the monitoring include checking in with the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul? If we decide not to visit Istanbul can we pick up the trip at the first Greece destination?
I think British has given you a very good reply.
All I would add is that I really don't think you have thought through your above statement. For one thing, your comments about Tauck border on libellous. For another, it shows that you haven't checked your own US State Department site recently. As of now, today, Saturday 20th September, 2014, there are no new Alerts or Warnings for Turkey and on checking the precise page for Turkey, there are no current alerts or warnings listed at all. Naturally, by the time you check the site that might have changed, because these sites are dynamic.
Repeating received disinformation doesn't help anyone. It simply feeds oblivion. Primary source material is always the best starting point and in this internet age, that is easy to find. Interpretation is, as it has always been, open to individual preconception. As British says, if you don't want to travel with Tauck, don't.
Yea for British. artiep2 has a right to express his concern, and an equal right to cancel his trip, but no right to libel Tauck. BTW, the required trip insurance does "protect their revenue stream," so they have nothing to gain by being "irresponsible."
Just curious why you want to avoid Turkey? The impact of the Syria crisis is confined to a very small area of Turkey which isn't anywhere near any of the tour locales. There are no State Department cautions about Turkey (except for the aforementioned border area).
Turkey has some magnificent sites to see in Istanbul, Ephesus, Bergama and Cappadocia to name a few. Avoiding Turkey will be your loss.
We're returning there next year and look forward to it.
Just my opinion/advice, obviously.