ISRAEL-IRAN TENSION AFFECTED TOURISM: "AGENCIES MANAGED THE CRISIS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT"
Following the mutual attacks between Israel and Iran, the measures taken regarding airspace security directly affected flights to the region. Oya Ebru Küçükel, Founder of Ebiturizm and Member of the Dubai Turkish Business Council, in her statement on the subject, drew attention to the communication problems that arise in the tourism sector during times of crisis, by describing the process experienced by a group of passengers traveling from Istanbul to Dubai last week.
A group of passengers who set out from Istanbul to Dubai on the night of Thursday, June 12, returned to Istanbul after taking off due to the increasing security threat in the Middle East. According to the statement, the risk in the airspace in the region led to sudden changes and cancellations in flight routes.
Küçükel stated that passengers receiving services from online platforms experienced serious communication problems during the crisis. She emphasized that many passengers had difficulty finding someone to contact for help during the hours when flights were canceled.
It was stated that an alternative route with a layover in Cairo was created for the passengers with the guidance of Ebiturizm, and the trip was continued. Küçükel noted that as an agency, they were in direct contact with the guests throughout the night during the crisis and managed the operational process.
Oya Ebru Küçükel said that this situation once again revealed the importance of direct communication and receiving professional support during times of crisis. In her statement, she pointed out that a service-oriented approach should be preferred, not just a price-oriented one.
