UK tourists visiting Turkey warned of problematic areas targeting visitors 'with verbal abuse and harassment'
Tourists in one of Turkey's holiday hotspots, Antalya, are reportedly being subjected to 'deception and harassment' on the streets, local media has highlighted. The charm of popular areas such as Kaleici, Kazim Ozalp Street, and Cumhuriyet Square is being overshadowed by 'aggressive' street sellers.
These spots have been 'invaded' by a barrage of fake perfume sellers, beggars, and pushy vendors, leading some tour guides to alter their usual paths to steer clear of these 'troublesome zones'. According to the Turkish Daily Hurriyet, these persistent traders are attempting to 'try to extort visitors' through overbearing sales tactics.
Complaints have been flooding in to the local authorities about beggars who encircle tourists, insisting on money, and vendors who pressure visitors into dining at certain restaurants. Tourists are being tricked into buying counterfeit fragrances, with some unscrupulous sellers even slipping products into unsuspecting shoppers' bags and then demanding payment.
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There are also reports of ice cream sellers blocking people's way on the streets.
Those who decline to buy or give money are often faced with verbal abuse and harassment, sparking worries that these incidents are 'tarnishing the city's reputation' and could potentially harm the tourism industry. "Tourists are accosted at every turn when they leave their hotels," reported the newspaper, reports Birmingham Live.
Can Zoroglu, Antalya's tourism chief, has acknowledged the problem and promised action, but local businesses and professional bodies have slammed the efforts as insufficient.
In other parts of Turkey, tourists are reportedly 'very unhappy' due to soaring prices in eateries. A countrywide boycott of dining establishments in Istanbul was urged last month following incidents of exorbitant charges.
Some proprietors stand accused of using the economic situation and inflation as a pretext for hiking up menu prices excessively, while increased costs for energy and ingredients force managers to up their tariffs. Patrons have also voiced dissatisfaction with receiving smaller portions and subpar food quality.
Ramazan Bingol, head of Turkey's leading restaurant association, commented: "Tourists are also very unhappy with this situation. At this point, tourism might suffer."
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