Thursday 27 August 2015

Boost for Iran as FCO relaxes travel warning


BRITAIN’S Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) move to relax its advice on travel to #Iran is expected to lead to increased interest from adventure holidaymakers. 

Advice against travel has been lifted for most parts of Iran, says the FCO. It still advises against travel to the areas of Iran bordering Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan but has downgraded its previous guidance to avoid all but essential travel.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: ‘Our policy is to recommend against travel to an area when we judge that the risk is unacceptably high. We consider that continues to be the case for specific areas of Iran, notably along Iran's borders with Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

‘But we believe that in other areas the risk has changed, in part due to decreased hostility under President Rouhani's government.’

#IntrepidTravel has already seen UK bookings double to the country since Iran's historic deal to close its nuclear facilities was agreed in July 14.

UK managing director, Michael Edwards, said: ‘We consistently get fantastic feedback from our Iran tours – the ancient ruins, incredible architecture, and especially the warm and friendly Iranian people. However, the FCO advice has always been a barrier for many people who wanted to travel to Iran.’

He described the relaxing of FCO travel advice as being a ‘massive boost’ for tourism to the country. ‘It will make insurance easier to obtain and ensure more people feel comfortable travelling to this fascinating country. The key is to get there now before the country is well and truly on the tourism map.”

The introduction of an electronic visa would be the final step to opening up tourism to Iran, he said, because UK citizens must currently travel to Dublin or Paris to get visas.

Intrepid plans 23 departures on its Iran Adventure trip next year, up from 21 this year.in 2015. The 16-day tour starts from £1,765 per person, including accommodation, selected meals, ground transport, and a local leader.


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