There is travel advice and warnings in place for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has issued updated travel guidance for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt in light of ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
These three countries remain firm favourites with British holidaymakers, offering golden sandy shores, turquoise waters, varied terrain and extensive coastal resorts. They deliver sunshine and pleasant temperatures from early spring through to autumn, while typically representing good value for money for those after a sun-drenched break.
Many Brits have already booked trips to Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, whether for Easter breaks, summer holidays, or are considering making reservations. Yet the proximity of these destinations to the Middle East conflict zone has heightened the significance of the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), reports the Mirror.
As of Tuesday, 10 March, the Foreign Office has not placed Cyprus, Turkey or Egypt on its ‘no travel’ list. Nevertheless, there have been multiple updates that British travellers ought to note. Here’s what you need to know…
The FCDO warned that ‘terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out'(Image: Getty Images)
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The most recent FCDO update from Thursday, 5 March, which continues to apply, cautioned that “terrorist attacks in Cyprus cannot be ruled out”. The advisory stated: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
The guidance further states that terrorist attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” In response to the update, the FCDO highlighted that UK Counter Terrorism Policing offers guidance on staying safe abroad and how to respond should a terrorist incident occur.
Nevertheless, no advisory against travelling to Cyprus has been issued. The Foreign Office did caution that the “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption,” adding that “no travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Turkey
There are some warnings in place for parts of Turkey(Image: Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has issued warnings against visiting certain parts of Turkey, “due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism”. This advisory not to travel applies within 10km of Turkey’s border with Syria, which was in place before the Middle East conflict.
Popular tourist destinations, including Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir, which lie 1500-1600km from the Iranian border, remain unaffected by FCDO travel restrictions.
A nationwide alert warns of a “high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals”. According to the FCDO, the majority of such incidents have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul.
It’s worth noting that comparable warnings have existed for numerous other nations well before the Iran conflict. Last week, the FCDO issued an update cautioning that “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.
Despite this, it hasn’t recommended against travelling to other Turkish regions, with the majority of flights and holidays continuing as planned.
Egypt
Currently, the Foreign Office “advises against all travel to parts of Egypt” and “against all but essential travel to parts of Egypt”. One restriction applies to areas “20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum”, where the FCDO advises “against all but essential travel.”
Additional travel limitations affect various Egyptian regions, including North Sinai, the Northern part of South Sinai, the Eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, the Western Desert, the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.
The FCDO has also highlighted a “heightened risk of regional tension” and “escalation that could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts” for Egypt. Furthermore, a “high threat of terrorist attack” warning remains active for Egypt, which was in place prior to the Middle East conflict.
Nevertheless, the Foreign Office hasn’t issued a blanket warning against travel to Egypt. They noted that approximately one million Brits visit Egypt each year and “most visits are trouble-free.”
There are several warnings for travel to Egypt, but some were in place before the Middle East conflict(Image: Getty Images)
For those with upcoming trips planned, maintaining communication with your holiday provider is advisable – though their current priority is assisting customers with immediate departure dates. Given the evolving situation, travel guidance may change at short notice, making it essential to verify any restrictions before booking or embarking on your journey.
The above travel advice remains current as of Tuesday, 10 March, but travellers should review the latest Foreign Office advice for their chosen destination before confirming any arrangements. The Foreign Office website provides country-specific details regarding travel restrictions.
Have you been impacted by travel disruptions? Email webtravel@reachplc.com