**Major Earthquake Strikes Greece and Turkey: What UK Holiday Companies Are Advising Travellers**
A significant earthquake, measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale, struck in the early hours of Tuesday morning, impacting popular tourist hotspots in both Greece and Turkey. British travellers were among those woken by the unsettling tremors as hotel buildings reportedly shook dramatically. The seismic event, which centred near the Turkish resort town of Marmaris, has left holidaymakers feeling anxious about their upcoming plans to the affected regions.
Authorities in Turkey have reported a tragic loss, with a 14-year-old girl confirmed dead and around 69 people sustaining injuries, predominantly as a result of residents jumping from windows in a state of panic. Meanwhile, in Greece, the island of Rhodes—well-known for attracting UK tourists—also felt the force of the earthquake, although details regarding damage to buildings remain uncertain.
Despite the dramatic scenes and ongoing safety assessments, the travel industry’s response has so far been measured. Leading holiday operators, including TUI and Loveholidays, have issued reassurances to concerned customers. Both companies state that, at present, flights and package holidays to Rhodes and Turkish resorts such as Marmaris and Dalaman continue to operate as planned.
A spokesperson for TUI shared a message circulated to customers currently in Rhodes. The communication detailed the earthquake’s magnitude and precise timing, clarifying that the epicentre was 18 kilometres from Rhodes at a considerable depth of 68 kilometres (42 miles). TUI urged holidaymakers to remain calm, listen to local officials, and assured them that there were no widespread reports of serious injuries or structural damage at this time.
Loveholidays echoed this sentiment in an email sent to their clients with upcoming trips booked to Rhodes. The company revealed it is “monitoring the situation closely” and maintaining regular contact with accommodation partners and service providers on the ground. They described the earthquake as likely to be the “main event” and advised that, currently, flights are unaffected and holidays are anticipated to proceed as scheduled. Travellers were encouraged to check the status of their flights and to remain vigilant for further updates.
Adding to the backdrop, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has not issued any official travel warnings or restrictions regarding these destinations, reinforcing the message from tour operators for holidaymakers to proceed but remain aware of ongoing developments.
The wider impact on infrastructure and day-to-day life in affected areas of Rhodes and Marmaris remains under evaluation. Local authorities continue to inspect buildings and facilities to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists. In such uncertain circumstances, guidance from both official agencies and travel companies is being updated regularly.
Simon Calder, a respected travel journalist from The Independent, lent further calm to the unfolding situation, with advice to tourists that there is, for now, no need for drastic measures or for abandoning travel plans. His assessment aligns with the current line taken by both the FCDO and travel agents.
With the busy summer holiday period fast approaching, the resilience of both local communities and the tourism industry will be tested. The hope is that, with prompt assessments and clear communication, the long-term impact on travel to beloved holiday destinations such as Rhodes and Marmaris will be limited.
As always, would-be holidaymakers are encouraged to monitor official channels and to heed updates from travel providers, ensuring they have access to the latest information in what remains a fast-moving situation.
Britons with bookings are urged to stay in touch with their airlines, hotels, or package providers for any specific advice, and to follow all safety instructions issued by local authorities should the situation change. For the moment, holidays to Greece and Turkey remain on course, with the travel sector’s priority firmly fixed on passenger welfare and clear communication.