Originally Posted by
GUWonder
After today's suicidal-homicidal bomber attacked in the Sultanahmet tourist section of Istanbul killed and wounded tourists and others, questions about the security situation when visiting Turkey do arise. Unfortunately, the risk assessment would be that the risks have been greater in the last several months than they were even at this time last year.
I think logic would tell you that the risk of terrorism attack in Istanbul is higher than most destinations a tourist would be likely to visit. Statistically, though, the risk is still very, very small.
That said, even though I visited Istanbul as recently as a year ago and enjoyed it (as always), I wouldn't be looking to go back anytime soon. Several reasons. First, my family got on the TSA SSSS security watch list because of our last visit (see Flyertalk thread). No fun. Second, I don't like the direction the Turkish gov't is taking and I'm happy to vote with my feet (I'm not rushing to return to Russia, either). Third, the security situation would definitely be on my mind during a visit, and who wants that tension while on vacation.
Of course with the latest tourist bombing, there are many tourists who will probably see things similarly, so Istanbul will be uncrowded and hotel/airline prices will be low. Contrarians might enjoy a visit this Spring.