Turkey’s tourism industry stages protest against recent attacks

Turkey’s tourism industry stages protest against recent attacks

ISTANBUL — Following a brutal New Year’s Eve attack at an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people, Turkish tourism industry professionals took part in a march on Jan. 3 to protest a spate of violence that has crippled the sector.

About 200 people, including restaurateurs, hotel owners and gastronomy students, marched to Reina nightclub where the attack took place, carrying a large banner that read: “We won’t be daunted! For our tomorrows.”

Turkey’s crucial tourism industry has suffered after a series of recent attacks in the country.

The nightclub assailant, armed with a long-barrelled weapon, killed a policeman and a civilian early Sunday outside the club before entering and firing at the estimated 600 people inside. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed late Sunday that a Canadian was among those who died.

Nearly two-thirds of the people killed were foreigners, many from the Middle East, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said. Countries from India to Belgium reported their citizens among the casualties. Close to 70 people were wounded.

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the nightclub attack.

With file from the Associated Press

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