Holidaymakers are being urged to check the latest official travel advice as tensions are continuing to rise across parts of the Middle East.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice and is warning travellers to review guidance prior to heading abroad.
In the past couple of days, the FCDO has issued new instructions for Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, where British nationals are encouraged to register their presence with the UK government so they can receive updates.
Qatar
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Air travel has been affected after Qatari airspace was temporarily closed, leading Qatar Airways to suspend flights to and from Doha until it is deemed safe to resume operations.
The FCDO said it 'advises against all but essential travel to Qatar'.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia also has received updated guidance due to reports of activity in the wider region.
Brits are being advised to follow instructions from local authories and to stay indoors when instructed.
"FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Eastern Province and Riyadh Province. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen," the office said.
"Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.
"Stay away from areas around security or military facilities."
Thailand
In Thailand, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to several areas in the south near the Malaysia border. These include Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces, as well as districts in southern Songkhla province.
The warning follows ongoing security concerns and tensions in the region.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), said: “Foreign Office travel advice is the most important guidance for travellers. If the FCDO advises against travel to a destination, people should take that advice seriously and speak to their travel provider about their options.”
Countries where the FCDO advises against all travel or travel to parts of the country
- Afghanistan
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Egypt
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- Turkey
- Yemen
Countries where the FCDO advises against all but essential travel (or parts of the country)
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
Countries with other updated travel advice
- Cyprus
- Oman
- Turkmenistan
According to the BBC, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said there are an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries, with a total of 102,000 having since registered their presence with the UK government.
Further guidance on what to do should the situation escalate is listed on the FCDO's 'If you're affected by a crisis abroad' page.
Anish Vij