‘Come to Turkey’: consul general to Hong Kong wants travel alert downgraded despite failed coup in his country
Turkish diplomat Korhan Kemik says the Security Bureau’s alert is an ‘impediment’ to closer ties, and is crippling for tourism
Consul General Korhan Kemik raised concerns over the security assessment, insisting there was “no negative situation” after the attempt to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He claimed that a travel warning by Hong Kong’s government had affected tourism and was leading to a decrease in visitors.
“What I am saying is Turkey is safe enough for the travellers of Hong Kong to go and enjoy their vacation. Of course, we want [the travel alert] to be abolished or at least decreased,” Kemik said.
“The state of emergency will not affect the daily lives of Turkish citizens as well as the vacation of foreign visitors. There is no obstacle as far as international tourism and air traffic is concerned. And also there is no negative security situation in tourist destinations.”