23.10.2025 11:06
The Istanbul Governorship has taken new measures against persistent customer solicitation and guidance behaviors known as "hustling," which disturb tourists and citizens. Businesses that do not comply with the rules will be temporarily closed.
The Istanbul Governorship has issued a circular regulating harassment of tourists.
The circular, which states that tourists have been disturbed in this way, expresses that the image of Istanbul has been damaged and the safety of tourists has been jeopardized. It is stated in the circular that "In accordance with the principle of honesty in commercial activities; it is necessary to avoid persistent, loud, or physically intrusive methods of inviting customers that obstruct the free passage of pedestrians in front of the workplace or disturb tourists and our citizens." The circular also listed new administrative sanctions. The Governorship noted that they have received complaints regarding the penal actions carried out by police teams and announced that a camera system will be implemented.
7-ITEM CIRCULAR
1. Ensuring that all businesses operating in tourist areas have cameras that can record audio and video, placed in a way that can see the outside,
2. Ensuring principled cooperation among our tradespeople according to professional ethical principles and informing the relevant tradesmen's chambers and professional organizations about this circular,
3. Municipalities and law enforcement agencies should resolutely continue regular inspections to prevent actions that disrupt public order and violate commercial ethics within their areas of responsibility,
4. Ensuring the use of body cameras and drones during inspections conducted by our law enforcement agencies,
5. No actions should be taken by business owners or employees other than inviting customers by saying welcome without exceeding a distance of 50 cm from the front of the workplace,
6. No behaviors such as offering outside the business premises and promoting products, physical contact, and blocking paths should be allowed; furthermore, even within the boundaries of the workplace, loud, persistent, and disturbing conversations should definitely not be permitted by the relevant inspection units,
7. The penalties for suspension of activities to be imposed on businesses should be gradually increased (3 days for the first violation, 5 days for the second violation, 10 days for the third violation).