Foreign Office issues travel update for Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, UAE, Dubai
The Foreign Office is keeping UK tourists informed as the Middle East crisis continues. The chaos in the Gulf has reached its fourth week – and it is impacting some holiday hotspots.
Dubai, and the rest of the United Arab Emirates, are among the holiday hotspots affected, as well as European Union destinations like Greece and Cyprus. The war between the US, Israel and Iran has reached its fourth week.
This week, in the latest twist, US President Donald Trump has insisted Iran wants a deal despite the initial rejection, while China sees a so-called “glimmer of hope” for talks.
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The US President claimed Iranian negotiators fear being killed by their own side. And the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi says the US and Iran are “signalling a willingness to negotiate”.
Greece
The FCDO has removed information about mass demonstrations and widespread disruption to public services across Greece on 28 February.
But it adds: “No travel can be guaranteed safe.” Instead, it tells Greece holidaymakers: “If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.”
Remember your passport must have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
And it must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue).
Turkey
The FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.
But holiday resorts like Fethiye, Bodrum and other destinations are safe, the FCDO added. Ahead of your holiday, the FCDO says it “provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions.”
It’s worth reading and keeping abreast of all the latest goings-on.
Cyprus
In early March, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone impact at RAF Akrotiri.
As a result, the FCDO says: “British nationals in the Sovereign Base Areas should follow instructions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration British Bases Cyprus Facebook British nationals in the Republic of Cyprus should follow any instructions from Cypriot local authorities.”
It warns: “No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
UAE (including Dubai)
The FCDO “advises against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates,” it says. The Foreign Office continues: “With commercial flights resuming to the UK from United Arab Emirates (UAE), we are pausing our ‘register your interest in flights from UAE’ scheme.
“If you are still in UAE and need to get back to the UK, please check availability with the commercial airlines. You can still register your presence if you are in UAE for further updates.”
Addressing the crisis in the Gulf, the FCDO added: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
“Stay away from areas around security or military facilities and US or Israeli facilities and institutions.
“Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, financial institutions, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.
“Follow the instructions of the local authorities and monitor local and international media for the latest information.”