Call for ‘earthquake certificate’ for hotels

Firuz Bağlıkaya, President of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), stated that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism should give certificates to hotels and businesses in the food and beverage industry that they are earthquake resistant. Baglikaya said, “Our interlocutors abroad used to say, ‘Is there a new destination?’ now he asks about the earthquake. Tour operators will also likely want reports on whether hotels are earthquake resistant or not. Let the hotels be certified so that we can inspire confidence.”

According to Hürriyet’s news, Firuz Bağlıkaya, President of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB), said: Now they are asking about the earthquake. Our suggestion is for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to work towards a similar practice, such as the certificate issued in the pandemic. We demand a system that will certify hotels that are not dangerous in case of an earthquake. Major tour operators abroad will also likely want reports on whether hotels are earthquake resistant or not. Let the hotels be certified so that we can inspire confidence.”

Baglikaya said, “We should do this for both domestic and foreign tourists. Tourists are not obliged to come here. If they cannot come to Istanbul, they will go to Paris. Istanbul Airport would be overcrowded during this period; it’s empty now. I think that there will be a serious decrease in the number of tourists in March in this sense. No one would say no to the inspection of their facilities and restaurants right now, we are mentally ready for this job. Even though there is no ministry, inspections can be carried out on the basis of district governorships and governorships.