UK groups unfazed by Turkey bomb

Two bombs went off outside Ankara's main train station on Saturday, killing almost 100 people

Turkish Destination Management Companies (DMCs) say UK groups have not changed plans to visit Turkey following the weekend bombings in the capital.

The local operators say the attacks in Ankara should have minimal effect on corporate tourism, because the city is not known as a tourist destination.

Birgül Özden, president of MEP Destination Business Solutions, a Turkish DMC, said she was operating two big groups from the UK during the time of the bombings, but it was business as usual.

"One arrived after the bomb the other one was here they are still carrying on and are very, very happy," she said.

Özden said part of the reason for this was because Ankara is considered a political city.

"Ankara is not an incentive or touristic destination; we have never had an incentive group there. We have never operated a group there. We never ever had a lead to Ankara. It can only be visited during tour groups if they want to visit the Anatolian Museum. It is the capital for political affairs."

She added: "Hopefully all will be as normal as it is after elections on 1 November."

Ankara is trying to build its meetings and events business, and established the Ankara Convention and Visitor Bureau in early 2014 with a view for making the capital a "city of congress".

Almost 100 people died when two explosions went off on Saturday, in the middle of a peace rally outside the city's main railway station. No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but the Turkish government has said Islamic State is the prime suspect.

Source: UK groups unfazed by Turkey bomb