The Blue Mosque and Sultanahmet district in Istanbul, Turkey.
TRAVEL organisations worldwide have condemned the bomb attack committed by an Islamic State terrorist yesterday in Istanbul which left at least 10 dead, nine of whom are German tourists, and 15 more injured.
The suicide bomber carried out the attack in the Turkish capital’s historic Sultanahmet district, which is also a tourist hotspot.
Taleb Rifai, secretary-general of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), said in a statement: “On the behalf of the entire international tourism community, UNWTO conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims and expresses its full solidarity with the people and the government of Turkey.”
“This tragic event reminds us once more that we are facing a global threat that requires a firm and coordinated response by all governments and the international community. Turkey is a leading tourism destination and we are confident it will continue to be so,” he added.
The loss of so many innocent lives similarly evoked a stern response from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
“The world continues to face a continuous threat of terror, which in some occasions has directly targeted tourists in a country. Turkey is an important tourist destination, where travel and tourism contributes around 12 per cent of the country’s total GDP,” said David Scowsill, president and CEO of WTTC.
“It is important to reiterate that tourism is a force for good, and that people will not stop traveling in the face of these isolated incidents around the world. Governments must continue to ensure that appropriate security measures are in place, to facilitate travel for business and leisure purposes.”
