( CNN ) -- Weather , airfare and upcoming local events are criteria that typically factor into travel decisions . This week , however , far greater concerns are on the minds of potential visitors to Istanbul . Ongoing local protests , government retaliation and related unrest in the city have many wondering if they should pull the plug on upcoming trips or make any new plans at all . The British government has warned its citizens to avoid demonstrations in Istanbul and Ankara , and the US state department urges travelers to be `` alert to the potential for violence '' . What began as a small , peaceful protest against a planned shopping mall in the city 's Gezi Park has quickly turned into what some protesters now call a `` war zone , '' with police using brute force to quell demonstrations . A worldwide audience has watched as police fired water cannons and tear gas at defiant protesters in Taksim Square . Tourism crucial to Istanbul . According to the 2012 MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index , Istanbul is among the fastest growing tourism markets in the world , receiving 11.6 million international visitors and earning $ 10.6 billion in travel revenue in 2012 . The Turkish Statistics Institute reports the country 's total tourism revenue for 2012 was $ 29.4 billion . According to an April report by TradeArabia , Turkey expects to receive 33 million international visitors in 2013 . HÃ¼nkar Akipek , a young professional who has taken part in the protests , tells CNN that protestors are aware of the possibility that recent events will harm Istanbul 's reputation abroad . `` Sure we are worried , '' says Akipek . `` I got so many emails , calls from my Turkish and non-Turkish friends abroad . `` I am careful to answer their question of 'What is going on there ? ' to not make any harm to Istanbul 's reputation . This is where we live and where we want to go on living and raise our children . We do not want to damage our home . '' `` Istanbul , a city that has always been known as Turkey 's cultural heart , is turning into a war zone , '' says Royce Yakuppur , a local who has been to Gezi Park several times in recent days . `` Although the feeling of solidarity ( among locals ) should be applauded as a virtue , it is not enough to overcome the fears of tourists . '' Unsurprisingly , local travel agencies report that some travelers have recently canceled trips to Istanbul or are having second thoughts about coming in the next few weeks . Yet `` many '' are still going ahead with their plans . No statistics on cancellations are available . Traveler 's tales from a week of unrest . By and large , for visitors and locals alike , Istanbul feels safe . Travelers across the city tell CNN that while they 've had to modify some plans , they 've felt neither threatened nor endangered . Colombian tourist Juanita Pardo arrived in Istanbul on June 10 . She says she did n't change her travel plans after learning of the protests , despite being warned by family members to avoid the area around Taksim Square . `` There was a lot of traffic , a lot of police , and ( some ) roads were closed so we chose to walk and could n't go everywhere we wanted to , '' she says of touring the city in the midst of the protests . `` We had to cancel some plans , like having dinner at Mikla , which is located in Taksim , where we did n't want to go . `` We could n't see Istiklal Street , which we had heard a lot about . '' Kevin Patnode , a 23-year-old New Yorker who has been spent the past four summers in Istanbul as a coordinator for an English language program , arrived in Istanbul on June 4 . `` The protests made me want to come even more , '' Patnode tells CNN . `` Besides Taksim Square , the surrounding areas are untouched by the current situation , '' he says . `` I even visited Gezi Park three times and never felt unsafe . Even though I speak no Turkish , I never felt out of place or that I was unsafe . `` The only change that has occurred has been my social life . Istanbul is a party city and Turks know how to have a good time . `` But after the protests , a lot of people find it inappropriate to be out and going to the bars and clubs surrounding Taksim . It is certainly not frowned upon for foreigners to go out and enjoy themselves , and I 've been encouraged to go out and continue to enjoy Istanbul -- however I can not expect my Turkish friends to come along and join me . '' Most of Istanbul 's top attractions , such as the Blue Mosque , Hagia Sophia and TopkapÄ± Palace , are located in Sultanahmet , far from Taksim Square . Referred to as the `` new Berlin '' by some , Istanbul boasts a growing art scene , with contemporary galleries and museums , such as Salt Galata , Arter and the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art leading the field . Contemporary Turkish cuisine also draws tourists to Istanbul . The city 's historic peninsula , funky cafes and bohemian neighborhoods feel as exciting -- and welcoming -- as always . `` Istanbul is as appealing as ever , '' insists one local . `` Much like a beautiful woman , but with smudged mascara . ''
Demonstrations have many wondering if they should pull the plug on upcoming trips . US and British governments urge travelers to avoid large gatherings . Hide Caption 1 of 11 Photos: Istanbul is among fastest growing tourism markets in world , receiving 11.6 million international visitors in 2012 .