Coronavirus is now a global epidemic, having been detected in 32 countries worldwide. Though it initially began in Wuhan, China, it has since spread to nations across the world including France, Germany and the UK. Furthermore, confirmed cases have been located in holiday hotspots including Spain, the USA, Australia, Egypt, Thailand and Italy.
The good news is that the World Health Organisation maintains that it is still safe to travel.
IHR Secretariat at the World Health Organisation said: “If you have to travel you have to go to the airport.”
“If you want to reduce your risk of being infected it's true that staying away from people which may be suspected cases may help you to reduce your risk.”
He said: “Do make sure you have good insurance cover that could kick in at short notice if government advice changes. Keep a careful watch on the FCO, PHE and TravelHealthPro websites for the latest information on risks and restrictions.”
Furthermore, even if travellers are concerned about jetting off to affected regions, the good news is there are plenty of much-loved holiday destinations across the globe that remain unaffected.
Turkey
For those hoping for a sun-kissed beach holiday without the long-haul flight time, Turkey is the ideal destination.
This is perhaps why ABTA Members listed it as one of their favourite holiday destinations for winter sun.
Coupled with the Post Office Travel Money report revealing Britons can benefit from more travel money for their pounds. When it comes to travel money sterling is worth 19 per cent more against the Turkish lira than a year ago and tourists buying their currency now will get around £80 more in lira on a £500 transaction.
The most recent Post Office cost of living barometer found Turkey is also home to one of the cheapest resorts out of 42 destinations surveyed.
Of the resorts on offer, the Post Office found Marmaris offers the most bang for your buck. Meanwhile, Nicky explains there is far more to do than simply sunbathing.
“No city in the world compares to Istanbul,” he says.
“Sprawled across two continents and bisected by the Bosphorus Strait (a body of water as likely to teem with covert submarines as leaping dolphins), Istanbul is the cultural heart of Turkey. The birthplace of empires contains layers and layers of history.
“Also try Selçuk. The city of Izmir might be the axis of Turkey’s mid-Aegean region, but the nearby town of Selçuk has all the charm without the city crowds. Selçuk has wide boulevards lined with orange trees and ancient ruins sprinkled throughout the town centre.”
Source: Daily Express
