Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel
Anzac Day 2022 commemorations in Gallipoli, Turkey
On 11 March, Minister for Veterans’ Meka Whaitiri announced that we will commemorate the Anzac landings in Gallipoli on Anzac Day this year. This bulletin should be read in conjunction with our Turkey travel advisory.
Attending the services
The 2022 Anzac Day commemorative services at Gallipoli will be held on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 April. More information on the services, what to expect at Gallipoli and what to bring, can be found here.
New Zealanders attending the 2022 Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will require an attendance pass. This pass can be obtained by registering on the Overseas Commemorations Website.
The Gallipoli Peninsula is a 5 hour drive from Istanbul. The nearest towns to the commemorative sites are Eceabat (20km), Canakkale (30km) and Gelibolu (45km). There is no public transport to the peninsula which is a national park, it’s recommended you go as part of a guided bus tour.
For any New Zealanders travelling overseas at this time, it is important to remember that international travel is different now. Travel has become more complicated and there are additional things you need to think about when travelling overseas. We provide COVID-19 travel advice here.
Security and crowd management at the commemorations are the responsibility of local security staff. Attendees will be subject to airport-style screening at the entrances to sites, including bag searches. Follow the instructions of security staff at all times.
Local health authorities provide limited medical support at the commemorative sites. Support is mostly designed for medical emergencies. Bring your own first aid kit (e.g. sunscreen, band-aids and paracetamol) as these are not provided.
Facilities designed for persons with disabilities or restricted mobility are not generally available in Turkey. Before organising your trip, contact a travel agent, tour operator or the local tourist authority to find out whether local transport, accommodation and attractions will cater for your needs.
Safety and security
The Anzac Day Service on the Gallipoli peninsula is a five-hour drive from Istanbul. For this region of Turkey, we advise you to exercise increased caution (level 2 of 4).
There are a number of areas in south-east Turkey that we advise New Zealanders avoid non-essential travel to, and other areas that we advise New Zealanders do not travel to (along the Syrian border, and the city of Diyarbakir). See our Turkey advisory for more information.
We advise that New Zealanders exercise increased caution elsewhere in Turkey, including in Ankara, Istanbul and on the Gallipoli peninsula, due to the heightened threat of terrorism and the potential for civil unrest.
Terrorism
Terrorist attacks can take place anywhere and at any time in Turkey. Terrorist groups have conducted attacks in Turkey and continue to threaten further attacks. New Zealanders throughout Turkey are advised to exercise a high degree of vigilance in public places, keep themselves informed of potential risks to safety and security by monitoring the media and other local information sources, and following the instructions of local authorities.
Be security conscious around buildings and sites associated with Turkish government and security forces, as well as landmarks and places known to be frequented by foreigners, such as embassies, tourist locations, shopping malls, entertainment areas, public transport, airports, places of worship and identifiably Western businesses. If you are in an area affected by an attack, you should leave the immediate vicinity as soon as it is safe to do so, follow any instructions given by Turkish authorities and let your family know you are safe and well.
The security environment in Turkey may change between now and Anzac Day. We recommend that New Zealanders travelling to Turkey for the Anzac commemorations regularly monitor SafeTravel and our travel advice, which will be kept under close review in the lead up to the event.
Before you go
All New Zealanders planning on attending the Gallipoli Anzac Day Commemorative Services are encouraged to:
– Read our COVID-19 travel advice.
– Read the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture advice about COVID-19 in Turkey here: Fight Against Covid-19 In Türkiye | TGA
– Register your details on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s SafeTravel website so that you are made aware of any changes to our travel advice for Turkey and so that we can send you important information in the event of an emergency.
– Ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy in place that includes provision for medical evacuation by air. You also need to check which circumstances and activities are covered and not covered by your insurance policy, as limitations can apply. Your travel insurer should have a 24/7 emergency number.
Consular assistance at Gallipoli
Consular staff from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will be in Turkey over the commemorative period to provide on-the-ground consular assistance required by New Zealanders attending the Gallipoli commemorations. For information on the kind of consular assistance the New Zealand Government can and cannot provide, check out the information we provide here: When Things Go Wrong.
Throughout this period, New Zealanders requiring consular assistance should contact The 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.
Emergency numbers in Turkey:
- Ambulance: 112
- Criminal issues in major cities: 155 (English speakers not always available)
- Criminal issues in rural areas: 156 (English speakers rarely available).
Foreign travellers may also contact the Tourist Police in Istanbul on +90 212 527 4503 during office hours.
Associated Advisories:
Posted:7 Apr 2022, 13:05
