warnings

The Foreign Office has lifted its no-go travel warning after Iran and the US signed a deal

A travel expert has provided an update on journeys to and from the Gulf region following the US and Iran reaching an agreement to cease hostilities between the two nations. Speaking outside the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Simon Calder confirmed that travel insurance was ‘once again valid’ after both the Iranian and American presidents put pen to paper on a deal to end the conflict.

This prompted the FCDO to lift its advice against travelling to several Gulf States. Nevertheless, it cautioned that the ‘situation remains unpredictable’ amid ongoing regional tensions.

Mr Calder stated that those wishing to visit the region could now do so ‘with some confidence’. He said: “I’m at the Foreign Office which has just changed its advice for travellers going to the Gulf region, in particular Dubai, which last year was visited by 1.4 million British travellers.

“As from now, the no-go warning which prevailed for the whole of the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as to the countries of Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, has been lifted. The Foreign Office still warns that you need to be ready for trouble to resume at any time, but it means that travel insurance is once again valid and anybody planning a trip to the UAE or Qatar or elsewhere in the region can do so with some confidence.

“The immediate effect, I think, is going to be a big marketing campaign by the giant airlines: Emirates of Dubai, Etihad of Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways based in Doha. They will be wanting to get people to both connect through their hubs, but also to take summer holidays. Be warned, it is extremely hot with average daily highs around 40°C.”

Not only do millions of holidaymakers head to the Gulf states, but countless others use them as a stopover for journeys to Asia and Australia. That meant the tourism industry took a particularly severe blow when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in late February.

The FCDO decision means tourists can now return without putting their travel insurance at risk. But that doesn’t mean flights will restart straight away.

Virgin Atlantic halted flights until winter 2027 after the conflict began, and a spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that this ‘remains the case’.

British Airways announced earlier in June that it wouldn’t restart flights to the UAE until October 2026. Emirates has maintained flights to and from the region throughout the hostilities.

Mr Calder continued: “The immediate effect, I think, is going to be a big marketing campaign by the giant airlines: Emirates of Dubai, Etihad of Abu Dhabi, and Qatar Airways based in Doha. They will be wanting to get people to both connect through their hubs, but also to take summer holidays. Be warned, it is extremely hot with average daily highs around 40°C.”

“But it means that anybody who’s planning to travel perhaps to Asia or to Australia now will be able to travel with confidence through one of the Gulf hubs. In addition, I imagine that airfares will fall because the Asian carriers will not be able to command such a premium.

“Stand by for some really good holiday offers, but I personally won’t be seeing you on the beach in Dubai until about November.”

Tsunami warnings have been issued across Asia following an 8.2 magnitude earthquake off the Philippines.

Authorities in Indonesia, Philippines and Japan early on Monday issued warnings of tsunami waves following the powerful quake.

The quake struck off the island of Mindanao shortly before 7:40 am local time, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The US government agency advised people in affected areas to get out of the water and move away from beaches and harbours.

More to follow…

A new LGBTQ+ travel risk map has assessed safety for LGBTQ+ travellers across 233 countries and territories worldwide, with conditions worsening in several nations including the US, India and Japan

Major travel hotspots including the US, Japan and India have faced travel warnings as a new map highlights the risk for LGBTQ+ travellers. Fresh criminal legislation, curbs on established rights, and political reversals mean that LGBTQ travellers could encounter heightened legal and societal dangers when journeying overseas.

The LGBTQ Risk Map 2026, published by Safeture, evaluates the circumstances for LGBTQ travellers across 233 countries and territories around the world. Worldwide, the assessment categorises 91 countries as high risk for LGBTQ travellers. A further 62 countries are rated medium risk, while 80 are deemed low risk.

In comparison with last year, circumstances have deteriorated in multiple countries, including Belarus, Burkina Faso, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Slovakia, and the United States. The factors differ but encompass restrictions on established rights, legal setbacks, stricter penalties, and fresh constraints on the recognition of gender identity and on travel documentation.

Where is safest for LGBTQ travellers?

Western Europe remains the safest region for LGBTQ travellers, with every country in the region classified as low risk in the most recent assessment.

According to the LGBTQ Risk Map 2026, the UK remains in the ‘Normal’ zone as somewhere LGBTQ+ travellers are “unlikely to face difficulties”. Local attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community for countries in the normal zone, including the UK, Brazil, Spain, France and Italy have “are overall open and progressive”.

Botswana and St. Lucia have scrapped legislation criminalising same-sex relations between men, leading to better ratings on this year’s map.

Where is risky for LGBTQ travellers?

By comparison, the Middle East and North Africa remain home to some of the globe’s most perilous destinations for LGBTQ travellers. The majority of nations in the region are categorised as high risk, with Israel given a low risk rating and Lebanon designated medium risk.

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, conditions remain extremely difficult. Roughly 80 per cent of evaluated countries in the area fall within the highest risk bracket. The decline is especially noticeable in Burkina Faso and Senegal. Following the 2022 military coup, Burkina Faso introduced its first legislation criminalising same-sex relations. In Senegal, prison terms for same-sex relations have been doubled.

Throughout Europe and Eurasia, fresh legal restrictions have resulted in lower ratings for certain countries. Kazakhstan has introduced constraints on information concerning so-called “non-traditional sexual orientations,” while Slovakia has further curtailed the rights of same-sex couples. Belarus has passed legislation against so-called “LGBT propaganda,” which could lead to fines or even detention.

Backward steps have also been documented in Asia. In India, new laws aim to restrict transgender individuals’ ability to self-identify. In Japan, a court maintained the constitutionality of the nation’s prohibition on same-sex marriage.

In North America, the United States has strengthened requirements for travel documents. Passports will display only the sex assigned at birth, and the “X” gender marker will no longer be accepted.

Turkey is one of the most popular destination for British holidaymakers

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is continuing to warn travellers heading to Turkey following the deaths of several British holidaymakers. The FCDO is responsible for issuing regular travel advice covering approximately 226 overseas countries and territories.

FCDO updates include guidance on safety and security, regional risks, health, and much more. Part of its advice for Turkey highlights popular holiday activities that have left people dead or seriously hurt, with the Foreign Office stating: “British nationals have been injured and killed doing extreme sports.

“Only use reputable operators. Make sure you are given full instructions and training before your activity. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for all activities you do. Always read the details of your insurance cover, especially the small print and exclusions on your policy.

“Paragliding is an extreme sport and carries the risk of serious injury or death. British nationals have died or been seriously injured whilst paragliding in Turkey. Make sure you are given full instructions and training before your activity.

“If you are near where paragliding activities take place, be aware that the landing area may be in a public area. Keep a reasonable distance from potential landing zones for your personal safety.”

The guidance further warns that quad biking carries comparable dangers, while jeep safaris have been involved in “a number of reported accidents in recent years”. Turkey remains a firm favourite amongst British holidaymakers, and current guidance advises that you should only purchase alcoholic drinks from licensed shops, bars and hotels, steer clear of homemade spirits, ensure bottle seals are unbroken, and scrutinise labels for poor print quality or spelling mistakes.

Should you or anyone in your travel party fall ill after consuming alcohol, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. FCDO advice reads: “There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world. In Turkey, including Ankara and Istanbul, people have died or suffered serious illness after drinking illegally produced local spirits and counterfeit bottles of branded alcohol.

“Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell. Seek urgent medical attention if you or someone you are travelling with show the signs of methanol poisoning after drinking.”

Visitors to Turkey are also cautioned about the dangers of swimming. The FCDO states: “Every year, people drown in the sea and in swimming pools in Turkey. Always supervise children, even if they can swim or there is a lifeguard present.

“Take care when swimming in the sea. Some beaches may have strong undercurrents. Hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death. Do not dive into unknown water.”