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Brits travelling to Turkey warned amid 'sudden' eSims ban

Brits travelling to Turkey warned amid 'sudden' eSims ban

Glasgow Times4 days ago
The country's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has reportedly blocked access to more than a dozen international eSIM providers.
It means that tourists will be prevented from accessing the websites and apps of the affected companies.
Brits will now need to purchase local sim cards or incur extortionate roaming fees to use their mobile data, unless they make this important change at the airport.
Travel expert at international eSim provider Holafly, Juan David Soler, shared his advice.
Mr Soler said: 'Turkey's sudden ban on eSIMs has caught many travellers off guard, and it's vital that UK holidaymakers heading there this summer take action before they fly.
'eSIMs have become the go-to option for Brits wanting affordable mobile data abroad without the hassle of physical SIMs or costly roaming.
'But now, travellers will no longer be able to activate a new eSIM once they arrive in Turkey.
UK Passport Renewal Guide
"To avoid getting caught out, UK travellers should ensure their eSIM is fully downloaded and activated before leaving the UK. This means setting up your digital SIM while still on UK networks, and confirming it's working properly before departure.
'Otherwise, you could be left without internet access the moment you land, which can be a serious issue if you rely on your phone for maps, transport, or bookings."
Is it worth getting an eSIM for Turkey?
eSIMs are more secure than a physical SIM because it can't be removed if your phone is lost or stolen.
Travellers to Turkey are not affected so long as they purchase and install the eSIM before arrival.
The eSIM ban is primarily targeted at Turkish residents buying eSIMs for international travel in Turkey.
However, Holafly advises that there are several steps to consider if you plan on using an international eSIM in Turkey:
Buy your eSIM before departure: Your chosen eSIM's online store will not work once you land.
Recommended Reading:
Install your eSIM before arrival: Use your QR or manual installation code to set up your eSIM before you travel. You can delay activation by keeping data roaming 'off' until you land.
Save your QR code or eSIM installation code locally: This way, you can install your eSIM in Turkey without needing the provider's website or app.
Download a secure VPN: Without a VPN, you will not be able to manage your eSIM solution digitally, check for remaining data usage, or contact customer service.
It is important to note that the situation is changing, and the eSIM ban in Turkey may affect different users' connections in different ways.
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Scottish Sun

time19 minutes ago

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I visited Greece's biggest island with olive oil shots, TUI hotels and restaurants with free desserts

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Scottish Sun

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Full list of UK airline hand luggage rules explained

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  • The Sun

The Spanish party town with 87p shots that's ‘better than Benidorm' & BEGGING Brits to return after anti-tourist demos

IT'S midnight and Boozers Fest Bar is packed to the rafters with a host of 18 to twentysomethings, all jostling to play a wild new drinking game. This Dutch -run party bar charges £17.50 to take part in 'Snappy', where ten shots are placed around a crocodile toy for punters to down if its mouth shuts when they press its teeth. 18 18 18 18 As they drink, the crowd whoops and hollers and the room, no doubt, starts to spin. Kim, 21, falls foul of the snap, and tells me: 'It's like being a kid again, but with an extra hit. 'We love it here — fun and alcohol, what more could you want?' So far, so typical of a Spanish holiday for British youngsters, many on their first sunshine break without mum and dad cramping their style. But while this bar is bursting, the same cannot be said for other venues in the Spanish resort town of Lloret de Mar. 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"Tourists should come to Lloret for the good weather, the beautiful beaches, and amazing food options. Plus there are lots of cultural ­places around here to visit, such as Girona.' One of the biggest draws to the town is its party district, home to one of the world's best clubs, Tropics. The main strip, Avenue Just Marles Vilarrodona, is full of venues that can hold thousands of revellers, and the winding side streets boast a seemingly unending array of cocktail bars offering outrageous drinking games. Don't Let The Duck Out sees players put on a swim cap and snorkelling goggles to try to grab a bottle of alcohol from a large water bowl. Essentially it's boozy apple bobbing. British teens Lucy and Gemma, both 18, are loving the nightlife in Lloret. Lucy said: 'My sister recommended it, and it's crazy here. We have no regrets booking it. It's fun.' Other Brits out on the lash include Dan Clark and Ollie Bott, both 20, from Stoke, who booked the resort after spotting it on the Jet2 website. For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool Ollie Bott They've flown out with six mates, who they have managed to lose by the time they bump into The Sun. Ollie said: 'For a random find, we've got no regrets. We're on night one, and it's already shaping up to be better than Zante. A lot of bars are giving us drinks for half price because we're British, which is cool.' Newlyweds Rachel, 37, and Phillip, 41, from Leeds, are here for their honeymoon. 'It wasn't quite what we expected for our honeymoon, but we love how lively it is,' courier Phillip said. 'I'd certainly come back here with the lads, or let my sons have their first drinking holiday here as it feels really safe. There's nice food and the booze is cheap. 'Plus everyone here has been really friendly compared to other holidays we've been on.' Couple Paul Willmot and Janette Machin, both 57, from Bridlington, Yorks, reckon it could even start to rival Brit favourite Benidorm. Janette said: 'It's been really great so far. It has potential and reminds me of Beni and Sunny Beach before they got super-popular. We didn't let the protests in other parts of Spain put us off, and no one else should either.' 18 18 18 Standing in doorways and draped over pavements are revellers debating which bar to move to next. Some are being shepherded by tour operators. 'A little rowdy' Back on the main street are Disco Londoner and Touch Down Sports bar, both owned by Marcus Faraji. He told The Sun: 'Ninety per cent of the industry here is based around tourism, even if it's not directly. 'More needs to be done to educate locals that their livelihoods and comforts come from tourists being welcome here. This is getting lost because many people are so worried about the housing issues. 'The drinking tourism we get upsets some, and they complain that people don't come here to visit cultural places, but the truth is we don't have the infrastructure for that. "Many of the tourists that come here are in groups organised by tour operators, who take up bulk bookings at hotels. 'It means we have to keep drinks cheap, because if we raise our ­prices they threaten to not come. 'But some of the people they bring are as young as 16, so we won't serve them anyway, and they don't have a lot of money to spend, which harms the economy. 'English people don't travel in the same way. We would like more of them because they spend a huge amount on both ­restaurants and on alcohol.' Bars caught serving booze to someone under age risk a fine of £2,600 for each case — and the drinker can be handed a £850 fine. Local businessman Igor Peyman, 54, is also keen to see more British holidaymakers pitch up in Lloret. He said: 'English people are my favourite tourists because they spend so much. 'They can be a bit difficult, like fighting each other, but they come with a budget to spend and will spend it all. There is so much for people to enjoy here so we hope they aren't put off by the protests in other parts of Spain.' 'Spanish Blackpool' But not everyone is a fan of ­Lloret. Holidaymaker Amanda, from Stratford-upon-Avon, West Mids, reckons it's essentially ' Blackpool in Spain'. She added: 'You do have to look for the nicer places to go as the centre is very young and aimed at a younger crowd.' Her pal Michele agreed, but added: 'Everyone has been really friendly, and you don't get hassled to go to restaurants or shops. Parts of the town are quite dated and need investment.' We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where ­people can use the toilets Tattoo shop worker Jose Tattoo shop worker Jose, 30, is keen for Lloret to only ­welcome tourists who will be respectful. He said: 'We want people who won't pee or poo in the street. We have plenty of public restrooms and bars where ­people can use the toilets. 'Tourists who want to have fun but appreciate we live here are always welcome, even if they're a little rowdy. 'Lloret is a poor town, and most of us have to earn our living for the year in the space of six weeks. "We love tourists and we always want them to come here.' 18 18 18 18 18 What is overtourism? Overtourism is where a destination experiences a volume of tourists that exceeds its manageable capacity. The term is often used to describe the negative consequences of mass tourism, which includes overcrowding and environmental issues. As a result, popular destinations have become less enjoyable for both visitors and locals. Local communities, in particular, bear the brunt, facing rising costs and a depletion of resources. In response, national and local governments have started to implement measures to reduce overtourism. These include:

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