Many Finns have cancelled holidays in Turkey after bombings
Ministry for Foreign Affairs urges travellers to avoid bazaars and
tourist streets
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Telephones have been ringing off the hook at Finnish travel agencies owing to the recent terror attacks against tourist resorts in Turkey. Some customers have cancelled their trips altogether, but mostly people have simply requested to switch to another destination.
According to managing director Jukka Salama from Aurinkomatkat travel agency, a large portion of the cancellations have been replaced by trips to alternative destinations. Tuesday morning's flights to Turkey's Antalya and Marmaris took off normally, almost fully booked.
Salama confirms that Finns who are currently holidaying in these resorts have not requested to cut their trip short to get out of the country.
During Sunday and Monday, five terror attacks in all took place in Marmaris, Istanbul, and Antalya. A Kurdish separatist group, the Kurdistan Liberation Hawks, has claimed responsibility for the bombings.
According to managing director Kaj Horsman of the Detur travel agency, after bomb attacks it usually takes a couple of weeks for things to settle down.
Because of the bombings, Finland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs has updated its instructions for those travelling to Turkey. Finnish travellers are encouraged to stay alert and to avoid crowded bazaars, minibuses, and tourist streets. In public buildings they are instructed to comply with the safety procedures.
The Ministry fear there is still a risk of further attacks, and advise people to avoid travelling to the eastern and south-eastern parts of Turkey in particular.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 30.8.2006 - TODAY |
 Many Finns have cancelled holidays in Turkey after bombings
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