The Association of Specialist Turkish Tour Operators has established a 24-hour helpline in a bid to be more proactive with the trade.
Callers to 07811-399710 go direct to newly elected chairman Akin Koc, managing director of Anatolian Sky Holidays.
The association, which has 23 members including Anatolian, Metak Holidays and Travel One and co-ordinates on issues such as marketing and advertising, hopes to recruit more companies this year.
Koc said: “Because I am Turkish myself, am in regular and close contact with the Ministry of Tourism in Turkey and monitor Turkish TV on a daily basis, I am in a position to give agents the very latest information about any situation in the country.
“I believe this is important because we have found in the past that a problem in Turkey can easily be turned into a potential crisis by exaggerated reports in the national press which confuses customers and the trade. We will be able to provide a balanced and accurate assessment of any situation with information direct for Turkey available at any time”.
Report by Phil Davies
