The UK Foreign Office has issued a new travel advisory for Turkey, effective from July 7, warning of significant disruption due to the NATO Summit in Ankara. The advisory, updated on June 22, highlights road closures, restrictions around key venues, affected public transport routes, and enhanced security measures at airports, likely resulting in longer processing times.
Travel Disruption from NATO Summit
According to the Foreign Office, the NATO Summit taking place in Ankara on July 7-8 will cause widespread travel disruption. Tourists are advised to arrive early, ensure documentation is ready, and expect stricter screening procedures. The advisory states: "Due to the NATO Summit being held in Ankara on 7-8 July, there will be road closures and restrictions around key venues. Public transport routes will be affected. Airports will operate under enhanced security measures, likely resulting in longer processing times."
Turkey Remains a Popular Holiday Destination
Despite the warning, Turkey continues to be a top choice for UK holidaymakers, with popular destinations including Bodrum, Ankara, Istanbul, and Fethiye. Earlier this year, Turkey reported a 3.4% year-on-year increase in UK visitors in the first quarter of 2026, totaling over 314,300. Irish visitors also rose by 17%, reaching more than 23,000.
Regional Tensions and Security Concerns
The Foreign Office also warns of "regional tension" in its Turkey guidance, noting: "The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding in relation to the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice." It adds: "Before the 8 April ceasefire, the Iranian regime had stated its intention to target locations associated with the United States and Israel. This included US or Israeli-linked organizations, businesses, facilities, and institutions. Iran has previously targeted civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports."
Tourism Minister's Response
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Turkey's culture and tourism minister, addressed the situation earlier this year, stating: "We are going through an extremely sensitive period on a global scale. Regional tensions, geopolitical developments, the negative impact of conflicts, and the resulting fluctuations in international travel movements are among the main factors directly affecting the tourism sector. Crises can and will always occur in our region; however, what is decisive here is how these periods are managed. Last year, we faced similar global developments and regional uncertainties. Despite this, we closed 2025 with 64 million visitors and tourism revenue of $65.2 billion. The figures clearly demonstrate that Türkiye is not only a strong destination in tourism but also possesses a high capacity for crisis management. We will continue on our path this year with the same determination and the experience we have gained. We are directly monitoring reservation trends, cancellations, changes in travel plans, and consumer behaviours from the field. This allows us not only to analyse the current situation but also to develop market-specific, rapid and effective actions."
