US issues Europe-wide travel warning

THE US State Department has warned Americans of the threat of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe this summer. 

Issuing a travel alert for the whole of the continent, it said the influx of summer tourists and a series of high-profile events, including the Euro 2016 football championship in France, present targets for terrorists planning attacks in public places.

But it said it did not know of any specific threat to sporting events or any European country in particular, and it is not advising Americans not to travel to Europe.

It said: ‘We are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centres, and transportation.’ A spokesman said the alert was issued following 'an accumulation of information'.

It was announced shortly after French president Francois Hollande said terrorism was the biggest threat to the UEFA championship, which starts in France later this month. As a consequence, France has extended the state of emergency announced after the recent Paris terror attacks until July 26 to cover both the football tournament and the Tour de France.

The State Department said: ‘Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists, as do other large-scale sporting events and public gathering places throughout Europe.’

The State Department also mentioned the Roman Catholic church's World Youth Day, beginning on July 26 in Krakow, which it said is expected to draw 2.5 million visitors.

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Latest UK holiday confidence survey is 'encouraging'

ALMOST two thirds of British holidaymakers are concerned about the threat of terrorism, but the majority have not let it dissuade them from travelling. According to latest Holiday Confidence Index for spring 2016 from First Rate Exchange Services, 46% of the 5,155 Brits polled said they had not made changes to their holiday destination because of terrorist attacks.

Over half (56%) of those questioned in the online survey said they intended to holiday overseas in the coming year, while fewer have yet to make a decision. Some 52% of holidaymakers have already booked their first trip, while a third of those taking two or more trips have already arranged a second holiday. This is a significant rise on spring 2015 when only 28% had committed to a second trip overseas.

Despite the fall of sterling and concerns about the impact on prices of a Brexit vote, 66% of holidaymakers intend to travel to Europe on their first trip abroad while 62% of respondents taking two or more trips are planning Eurozone trips for their second holiday. In both cases, this represents a rise since last quarter and also year-on-year.

First Rate said the survey reveals an 'encouraging stability in consumers' appetite for overseas travel in the year ahead, despite the impact of the weaker pound on their pockets, the ongoing threat posed by terrorist attacks, and a sharp fall in confidence about the UK economy.

‘The latest Holiday Confidence Index underlines a trend that we have been noticing for some time: namely, that while there is growing uncertainty about the economy in general, this has not deterred those with a firm resolve to travel abroad on holiday from doing so,’ said Alistair Rennie, First Rate Exchange Services head of strategy and innovation.

‘Not only have well over half of our survey sample confirmed that they will be travelling abroad, but this group is far more confident about the economy and their own personal finances. Nor will they let the falling value of sterling or the threat of terrorism put them off. This is encouraging news for the travel industry in uncertain times.’

The survey was conducted in partnership with the Institute of Travel & Tourism, the University of Wolverhampton, and YouGov.

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Come home, Brits in Tunisia told

BRITISH holidaymakers in #Tunisia have been advised by the UK government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to leave the country. It has advised against all but essential travel to Tunisia.

The FCO is working with tour operators to ensure British nationals are able to return to the UK.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: ‘Since the attack in #Sousse the intelligence and threat picture has developed considerably, leading us to the view that a further #terroristattack is highly likely.

‘The Tunisian investigation into those behind the Sousse attack and that on the Bardo Museum earlier this year is ongoing and the Tunisians have made clear they want to track down further individuals who they suspect may have links to this attack. While we are working with the Tunisian authorities to further strengthen those measures, we judge that more work is needed to effectively protect tourists from the terrorist threat.

‘If you are in Tunisia, you should contact your tour operator or airline who can help plan your return. Anyone travelling independently should look to return on commercial flights.’

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