Since ancient times, modern-day Turkey as been a pivotal European conduit to the continent of Asia.
As empires from the Roman to the Ottoman rose and fell, the regions importance to linking the two continents remained, as it does to this day.
The largest city, Istanbul is a sprawling seaport city that was once the capital of both the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman Empire. It is often seen as a city that straddles two continents, a physical barrier between two distinctly different land masses.
Its geographical position atop two continents shapes the Turkey we know today where Islamic culture and architecture collides with values familiar to many places in the west.
But it also give it a unique geopolitical role crucial to mediation and understanding and one that could become ever more important as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East.
As conflict brews between western backed Israel and a multitude of Iranian funded groups, Turkey’s ancient role of go-between could prove as vital as ever.
Since October 7, Ankara has acted as a middleman in the conflict, despite being openly pro-Palestine, hosting key regional players and providing vital aid whilst maintaining useful diplomatic relations with pro-Israel nations.
Its comparatively close relationship with Europe even led to rumours of Turkey’s imminent ascension to the European Union and idea that fuelled much of the Leave campaign’s messaging prior to the 2016 Brexit referendum.
But the last decade has seen a country once identified as a bastion of democracy in the region become more authoritarian, with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tightening his grip on power and clamping down on domestic opposition.
Despite this, Turkey remains a popular holiday destination for many Brits, with long-time favourites such as Marmaris and Bodrum being joined by the rise in popularity of quaint villages such as Kalkan.
Last year, Turkey’s tourism industry saw 49 million international visitors, the most since 2000, generating an estimated £98 million for the country’s economy.
Its popularity has led to tour guides calling for Turkey’s government to introduce stricter rules to regulate tourism accommodation.
Zekeriya Şen, the founder of personalised travel firm Fest Travel, warned current tourism practices in Turkey are not suitable and called on the mayor of one popular destination to impose a “ban on renting apartments to tourists or take very drastic measures to solve the housing crisis caused by tourism.”
He warned: “It also contributes to the locals becoming poorer and less self-sufficient in their economic crisis.
“Istanbul needs to promote tourism practices and take measures to overcome housing affordability issues. Residents are looking for a city that is less dependent on tourism revenue.”
