The devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria have left many people in despair. As someone who frequently vacations in the region, I was particularly saddened by the news. The more I visit Turkey, the closer I feel to its people and customs. They are some of the warmest and most hospitable people I have ever met, and I have always felt welcomed in the country. Turkey’s generosity is evident in the way it has helped millions of disadvantaged and displaced people across the world, more than any other country.
When I think back to my last visit to Turkey in September, we spent a week in the Aegean port city of Bodrum. It was a place I had visited before, and it provided the perfect Mediterranean escape for my family after a tough year of constant sad news. The METT Hotel Bodrum had stunning grounds and accommodations, but the most remarkable part of our trip was its staff and their impeccable service standards. They made our stay memorable, and my children especially were made to feel like part of the METT family.
In light of these tough times, I have been thinking about ways we can support the Turkish and Syrian people. While we can continue to donate, offer support, and lobby with governments for assistance, I firmly believe that tourism can be a sustainable way to help with recovery efforts. Although Syrian travel, once booming, is now almost impossible, there is still so much that Turkey can offer. From the centuries-old mosques in Istanbul to the elegant port town of Bodrum, the balloons over Cappadocia or the thermal waters of Pamukkale, there is so much to explore.
The revenue tourism can bring to an economy can be an incredibly sustainable way of supporting a country that has been hit with a natural disaster and arguably the best way to ensure a long term and equitable way of helping relief efforts.
Follow this blog for upcoming recommendations on places and hotels that I have experienced firsthand in my travels, as we strive to support the region in its time of need.
Travelling Capricorn 