The introduction of e-visas for visitors to Turkey is a positive step which will eradicate lengthy airport queues, according to the boss of specialist tour operator Anatolian Sky Holidays.
From April 10, holidaymakers will only be able to enter the country if they fill in a visa application online before they visit. Currently, travellers fill in and pay for the visa on arrival at the airport in the destination.
Anatolian Sky managing director Akin Koc, who is also chairman of the Association of Turkish Specialist Tour Operators, said the move to change the visa process should be welcomed by the trade, provided they explain the situation to their customers.
With the current visa system, holidaymakers can wait for hours in visa queues at Turkish airports and are required to have the right money in English pounds to pay for the visa, he said.
He added: “It is a positive move. I welcome the change because the client will have extra time when they arrive at the airport and it will be a hassle-free start to their holiday.”
Koc admitted some holidaymakers may be put off visiting Turkey because of the requirement to fill in a form pre-departure but said many operators, including Anatolian Sky, would offer to fill in the forms as part of the booking process.
Anatolian Sky will require consumers to pay them the cost of the visa when booking their holiday, but will fill the form in for free.
He added: “We will fill in the form on the customer’s behalf for free and take care of it as part of the booking process. It will defuse the problems at airports.”
Travellers – or tour operators and agents on their behalf – will be required to purchase the entry visa via the Turkish government website evisa.gov.tr prior to travel.
Provided holidaymakers are aware of the change in visa arrangements, Koc is hopeful Turkey will enjoy a better year in 2014. Sales were badly affected by political protests during 2013.
”There was a lot of negativity about Turkey last year and we are hoping for a much better year,” added Koc.