One of Russia's largest, oldest tourist agencies suspends all trips to Turkey

The Russian tourist agency Natalie Tours has decided to stop selling travel packages to Turkey, one of Russia's most popular vacation destinations abroad, citing Turkey's unstable political situation. The suspension of sales takes effect immediately.

Natalie Tours says its decision is also based on an executive order by Vladimir Putin issued on November 8, when the President halted all air traffic to and from Egypt, following a suspected terrorist attack that destroyed a passenger flight in the Sinai, killing all 224 people on board.

Today, in connection with the unstable political situation and in accordance with the measures taken by the state to ensure the safety of Russian citizens, the management of Natalie Tours has decided to suspend sales of tours to Turkey, beginning on November 24, 2015.

Natalie Tours is one of Russia's largest and oldest tourist agencies.

On November 24, two Turkish F-16s shot down a Russian plane "within the rules of engagement" after it violated Turkish airspace 10 times within a five-minute period, according to Ankara. Russia's Ministry of Defense insists, however, that the jet never crossed into Turkish airspace, saying it operated exclusively in Syria, where it was attacking Islamic terrorists.