The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, three popular holiday destinations for British tourists, amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. While none of these countries are on the 'no travel' list, the FCDO has issued specific warnings and guidance.
For Cyprus, the FCDO warned on 5 March that 'terrorist attacks cannot be ruled out' and that there is a 'high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals.' The advice urges travellers to 'stay aware of your surroundings at all times' and notes that attacks 'could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.' Despite this, no travel restrictions are in place, though the FCDO acknowledges that 'regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.'
Regarding Turkey, the FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism. This warning predates the current conflict. However, popular tourist areas such as Antalya, Bodrum, Dalaman and Izmir are not affected, being 1500-1600km from the Iran border. A country-wide warning of a 'high threat of terrorist attack' remains, with most attacks occurring in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul. The FCDO does not advise against travel to other regions, and most flights and holidays continue as normal.
For Egypt, the FCDO advises against all travel to parts of the country, including within 20km of the Libya border (except El Salloum), North Sinai, northern South Sinai, eastern Ismailiyah Governorate, the Western Desert, the Hala’ib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid. It also advises against all but essential travel to other specified areas. A 'heightened risk of regional tension' and 'high threat of terrorist attack' warnings are in place, but the FCDO notes that around one million Brits visit Egypt each year and 'most visits are trouble-free.'
