TOURISM revenues in Turkey dropped 35.6 percent year on year in the second quarter, the sharpest fall in more than 17 years, as the NATO member faces several security threats and seeks to restore order following a coup attempt.

    Increased security fears following a series of bomb attacks and a falling out with Russia over a downed jet, have deterred holiday visitors, dragging down an economy which already smarting from slowing exports and weak private investment.

    Tourism revenue fell to US$4.98 billion in the quarter, the biggest drop since May 1999, when the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group launched a bombing campaign and warned tourists to stay away after the capture of its leader Abdullah Ocalan.

    The number of departing visitors in the quarter fell to just below 7.50 million from 10.75 million in the second quarter of 2015.

    Despite a rapprochement with Russia, troubles for the tourism sector — a pillar of the economy — are likely to persist.

    Following a coup attempt July 15, President Tayyip Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency, which economists said could further harm the sector.

    Turkey has been hit by a wave of suicide bombings this year, including a gun and bomb attack on Istanbul’s main airport in June which killed 45 people and was blamed on Islamic State militants.

    (SD-Agencies)