The Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) provided an update on how many organized and independent travelers from Russia can be in Turkey following a powerful earthquake. The information was shared by various regional organizations and ATOR’s own analytical teams.
According to ATOR, as many as 45,000 organized and independent Russian visitors could be in Turkey at the moment.
A breakdown from ATOR’s analytics suggested that roughly 25,000 to 30,000 Russians might be in Istanbul, about 12,000 to 15,000 could be in Antalya and along the Aegean coast or on ski trips, with the remaining travelers dispersed across other resort areas. In total, these figures place Russian tourism in Turkey at around several tens of thousands of people at any given time. The resorts in Turkey remain the focal points for many travelers during the season.
The association also noted that tour operators were not reporting cancellations of trips to Turkey, signaling continued demand despite the emergency event this year.
Officials emphasized that conditions at popular tourist destinations remained stable and welcoming for visitors, with a focus on maintaining service quality for travelers staying in the region. These assessments come as the Turkish government and local tourism bodies coordinate relief and safety measures for residents and visitors alike. [Attribution: ATOR and regional tourism organizations]
In discussing the earthquake’s location, former ATOR director Maya Lomidze explained that the quake struck the southeast but occurred away from main tourist corridors. She added that there are no organized Russian-tourist clusters in the areas most affected by the seismic event, which helped to explain why hotel and resort operations were not disrupted to a significant degree in major tourist zones. [Attribution: May Lomidze interview]
On February 6, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey, with its epicenter in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş province. The tremors were felt across a wide region, including Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Kayseri, Mersin, Trabzon and Urfa, underscoring the extensive reach of the disaster. Local authorities and rescue teams mobilized quickly to assess damage and deliver aid to affected communities. [Attribution: Turkish Government Emergency Situations Department (AFAD)]
Official figures from AFAD reported casualties and injuries as the response efforts continued. The latest toll included hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries, reinforcing the urgent need for ongoing relief operations and visitor awareness when planning travel to the region. Travelers and operators are advised to follow official updates and guidance from national authorities and tourism bodies as the situation evolves. [Attribution: AFAD]