Is Turkey a Safe Vacation Destination for Americans?

After watching the Israel-Hezbollah crisis and reading about recent foiled airline bomb plot by Islamic fundamentalists, many are wondering about the safety of any Muslim country safe for Americans. My husband is Turkish and I lived in Turkey for several years; so, every time something happens in the Middle East, friends and acquaintances ask me the same question: is Turkey safe? From my experience living in Turkey, I know it is not the top Mediterranean destination for Americans. I encountered far few Americans than I did Europeans or even Canadians. Those Americans I did talk to often told me that a "friend" had visited and recommended Turkey. I used to joke that what Turkey really needed was a better Minister of Tourism. In truth, I believe the problem is much more complicated than simply lack of advertising. As recent events demonstrate, many Americans are numbed by media images of bombing and hatred in the Muslim world.

Just this week, I experienced two disparate encounters that illustrate so well the American public's perception of Turkey. A few weeks ago, a friend asked me to provide some travel tips for a couple who were planning a trip to Turkey. Then, on Monday, my friend informed me that "due to the unrest in the Middle East" the couple didn't think it wise to go. Now, I know these two people are the adventurous sort, but the situation with Israel persuaded them that terrorists lurked behind every Roman ruin in Turkey. This was before the recent airline plot - I can only imagine what they think now! Yet, the next day, I was stuck in my daughter' pediatrician's office for eons as she gushed breathlessly about her recent trip to Turkey. "It was the most hospitable country I've ever visited," she exclaimed as I inched my way to the door. Even as I passed her on my way out, I heard the doctor continue to rave about Turkey to a nurse. I thought what Turkey really needs is to hire her as their Minister of Tourism. Then I wondered, how can Turkey be both one of the friendliest places on earth and one of the most inhospitable? Is it simply bad press or is it something more?

Is Turkey a Middle Eastern Country?
On some official lists, Turkey rests in Europe, and on others, it is listed as Middle Eastern. Which is it? True, much of the food you would find in a Lebanese restaurant you would also eat in a Turkish restaurant. But that is also true of a Greek restaurant. Called "the gateway to the east," a small portion of Turkey rests in Europe and, on the other side of the Bosporus, the majority of its land spreads through Asia. More than the Bosporus fissures Turkey. When I worked there, the female teachers wore skirts shorter than Heather Locklear's Melrose Place minis, and, for years, the government of Turkey has been strenuously overhauling the country in order to join the European Union. At the same time, truck loads of Syrian and Iranian dollars have been pumped into conservative religious schools and enrollment is high. As many of my Turkish friends tell me, "Turkey is neither Middle Eastern nor European; Turkey is the buffer between both."

How is Turkey a buffer State?
In 1948, Turkey was the first Muslim nation to recognize Israel as a nation state. Today, though Turkey continues to support Israel, the Turkish Prime Minister, RecepTayyip Erdogan has been vocally opposed to Isreal's recent military advancements. "One cannot hold a country (Lebanon) responsible for an act by an organization (Hezbollah). One cannot annihilate an entire country and all the civilians in it. It does not contribute to global peace." At the same time, Saudi's King Abdullah's visit to Turkey, the first since visit by a Saudi King in nearly 40 years, is seen by many to be due to a perception that Turkey can be a strong mediator between Israel and the Arab states. On the other side of the Bosporus, European Union officials are floating the idea of Turkey joining the EU for the very same reason. According to the Enlargement Commissioner at the EU's executive Commission, Olli Rehn, "The importance of negotiations with Turkey has increased in light of the military conflict in Lebanon because Turkey is a moderate Islamic society and secular democratic state." It would appear that both sides of the divide are looking at Turkey as a comfortable middle. A soft, Turkish delight.

What does this mean for tourism?
Well, it means what it means. As always, Turkey is caught in the middle of the world's most infamous political upheaval. Life in Turkey goes on, and tourism continues to be a major contributor to the Turkish economy. In my opinion, Turkey is as safe as most any European destination. Turkey is not one the nearly thirty countries listed on the U.S. State Department's travel warning page. Yet, Turkey does rest near many countries that are on "the list." In 2003, to the shock of most Turks, there was a bombing in Istanbul. In 1999, an earthquake. But, after a sniper arrest in Phoenix, and the horror of New Orleans, 911, Americans are beginning to realize that there is no such thing as a guaranteed safe bet anywhere. My ultimate belief is that Turkey remains a warm, hospitable destination. The EU is starting to wager on that very bet too. So, as my daughter and husband prepare for a four week visit, my principal concern is that they pack enough sunscreen. The Mediterranean sun can really burn you.