Travel advice updated for The Gambia

FOLLOWING the presidential elections on December 1 and subsequent challenging of the election results by the incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential #travel to The #Gambia due to ongoing political uncertainty and potential military intervention.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has urged british citizens currently in The Gambia to leave by commercial means if they have no essential need to remain.

The potential for military intervention and civil disturbance is high and could result in Banjul International Airport being closed at short notice.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office urged all travellers to take extra care, keep in regular contact with your tour operator and airline and continue to monitor travel advice and social media updates in case tensions rise as the current political deadlock continues. Avoid large crowds and avoid discussing politically sensitive topics in public.

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. You should be vigilant after recent attacks in Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso, especially in places visited by foreigners.

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US issues travel warnings for Egypt & Jordan

The US has issued travel warnings for Egypt and Jordan over the risk of terror attacks against American interests, tourists and personnel.  The US State Department warned US citizens to consider the risk of travelling to these countries and to avoid certain areas where the threat is greater.

"The Egyptian Government maintains a heavy security presence at major tourist sites, such as Sharm el-Sheikh... and at many of the temples and archaeological sites located in and around greater Cairo and in the Nile Valley," the travel warning read.

"US Mission personnel are allowed to travel to these areas. However, terrorist attacks can occur anywhere in the country," the alert added, explaining that several extremist organisations are operating in Egypt, including the Islamic State (IS) terror group.

The US has also warned its citizens and staff against travelling to Jordan, where terror organisations, including the IS, are active.

"Jordan's prominent role in the counter-IS Coalition and its shared borders with Iraq and Syria increase the potential for future terrorist incidents," the State Department said.

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US State Department issues Europe travel advisory

THE US State Department has issued a travel advisory for all Americans considering travel in Europe over the Christmas period due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks over the holiday period.

The alert states "U.S. citizens should also be alert to the possibility that extremist sympathizers or self-radicalized extremists may conduct attacks during this period with little or no warning. Terrorists may employ a wide variety of tactics, using both conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests."

The travel alert is set to expire on February 20, 2017.

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Zika in Singapore

OUT of 329 reported cases of the #Zika virus in #Singapore 8 pregnant women have been infected and the Ministry of Health and National Environment Agency are working together to provide support to the infected women

The WHO is calling on countries to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and to make sure that people – particularly pregnant women – have information on the potential harmful consequences of the disease.

Zika has been linked to a rise in brain defects in babies and the virus has been seen in more than 50 countries during this outbreak.

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US issues travel warning for Turkey

A recent warning from the US State Department has advised American citizens against travel to Turkey following the recent engagement of military operations inside Syria and increased threats from terrorist groups.

The US State Department advised on August 23, 2016, that the voluntary departure of family members assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul had been extended through September 23, 2016.

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Delays at Dover cause holiday misery

BRITISH holidaymakers heading to France via Dover are being warned to allow extra time –a great deal of extra time – for their journey to the port amid long delays caused by heightened security checks.  

There have been major tailbacks on the M20/A20 since Friday with some motorists complaining of being in queues for up to 14 hours. 

The delays, at the start of the school holidays, are being worsened by tighter security checks by French border police at Dover and Eurotunnel following recent terror attacks in France. 

Tourists are being advised to try to avoid the M20/A20 and use the M2/A2 where possible. 

On Sunday morning, the Port of Dover was warning of waiting times of three to 3.5 hours from Roundhill Tunnels.  

Dover MP Charlie Elphicke said it was a 'very serious situation' with families 'suffering out there in massive tailbacks'. Other MPs said the tougher security checks introduced by the French were understandable and necessary, but that more police were needed to make them.

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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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More French air traffic control strikes announced

AIRLINES are warning of a possible ‘summer of discontent’ due to an unprecedented wave of air traffic control #strikes in #France. Thousands of passengers will see their #travel plans disrupted again during the weeks leading up to the school summer holidays. 

Recent industrial action is to be followed by further strikes announced for June 3-5 and June 14, meaning more cancelled flights, delayed journeys, and detours across Europe, according to industry lobby group Airlines for Europe (A4E).

Strikes by air traffic controllers in Greece, Italy, Belgium, and France in March, April, and May caused more than 2,500 flight cancellations in European airspace.

A4E managing director Thomas Reynaert comments: ‘For the seventh time in the past two months the air traffic controllers in France are infringing people’s rights. The overall impact of these strikes will be immense as they are taking place at a very busy time of the year.

‘We are hurtling towards a summer of disruption and frustration for customers. The European Commission and governments must act immediately to protect the rights of millions of European travellers affected by this repeated and disproportionate industrial action.’

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FCO launches public consultation on travel advice

BRITAIN’S Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is asking for feedback on its travel advice service.

The government department is inviting members of the public and the travel and tourism trade to give advice on how it can improve the clarity and accessibility in how it presents travel information, including security and safety advice.

‘Our aim is to provide objective and accurate information, and help British nationals distinguish between the different levels of risks involved in travel to, or within, a particular country,’ it said.

‘Our consultation seeks the views of British nationals on how we might best present information to help them make an informed decision about travel to foreign destinations. We want to know also where British travellers usually look for advice on foreign travel, and their view on the role that the UK government should play in advising on security in a given country.’


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Australia issues Bali travel advisory

THE Australian government has issued a #Bali travel warning, saying terrorist attacks in Indonesia are expected and calling for caution while visiting the country.

After the release of the travel advisory, cruise ships began cancelling their stops in Bali, which was preparing to welcome more than 60 cruise ships this year.

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Terrorist bombings hit Turkish tourism

#TURKEY specialist Elixir Holidays has ceased trading, describing recent bombings in the country as ‘the writing on the wall’, and all-inclusive resort operator Mark Warner has pulled out of Turkey after six years.

Elixir Holidays, based in London, had 309 people booked to travel. A company spokesman said: ‘The bombings have made people very nervous about committing to the country.’

Mark Warner is offering booked customers alternative resorts in Greece, Italy and France.

In a statement, the operator said it had decided that ‘the time is right to bring our current operations in Turkey to an end’.

It follows Thomas Cook's decision to cut capacity to Turkey by 29%. Tui recently reported its bookings to the destination were down by "about 40%" across its markets as sales to Turkey fall amid consumers' security concerns.

Managing director David Hopkins said: ‘Mark Warner has enjoyed a long and happy history of offering holidays to Turkey, but the time is right for us to leave for the time being. We certainly hope to return in the future.’

Turkey's president has vowed to continue its fight against terror attacks after a bomb blast in the country's capital Ankara killed at least 28 people and injured dozens more.

The UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office urged British nationals to stay away from the area, warning of further attacks, possibly against Western tourists. ‘The majority of attacks are likely to continue to target the Turkish state. Nevertheless, it is likely that some attacks will also target Western interests and tourism.’

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Thomas Cook cancels Tunisian summer bookings

THOMAS COOK has cancelled all bookings to #Tunisia up to and including October 31 following the decision by the government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office not to revise the current travel warnings about the country.

In a statement, the company said: ‘We appreciate that this may be frustrating for our customers who have been looking forward to their holiday and we would like to assure them that we are doing our upmost to ensure they are still able to enjoy a Thomas Cook holiday by offering the following options:

• Customers who are due to travel up to and including October 31 2016 are able to cancel or amend their holiday to another destination free of charge. 

• Customers who wish to re-book an alternative summer 2016 holiday are being offered free amendments to an alternative Thomas Cook holiday of their choice, paying only any difference in price. 

• Customers booking a new holiday departing before October 31 will be offered a £30 per person discount regardless of whether the alternative is cheaper or more expensive.’ 

Thomas Cook said it was individually contacting customers whose bookings are affected, prioritizing those due to travel soonest.

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Pregnant woman advised to avoid countries with Zika outbreaks

PREGNANT women are being advised to re-consider travel to areas where #Zikavirus outbreaks are happening, which includes most of south and Central America and parts of the Caribbean, including Barbados and the Dominican Republic.

The virus usually causes only mild symptoms in adults, but it is blamed for thousands of babies born with underdeveloped brains.

It has been spreading throughout the Americas and the World Health Organisation said it is likely to infect most countries in the region, except Canada and Chile.

Three Britons have already contracted the virus after visiting Colombia, Suriname, and Guyana.

UK officials say women should talk to their doctors about the risks, and if travel is unavoidable they should take precautions to avoid bites from mosquitoes that spread the disease.

Women planning to become pregnant should also be wary, said the National Travel Health Network and Centre. Any pregnant woman who has recently travelled to a country where Zika is known to occur should tell their doctor or midwife, it said.

An outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil, which was first reported in May last year, is likely to cause concern for women planning to travel to the country for the next Olympic Games.

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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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Spanish flights delay warning; Eurotunnel entrance blocked by strikers

A WARNING of flight delays has been issued ahead of the latest planned strike by Spanish air traffic controllers this weekend. Airlines have been notified of a second wave of industrial action for three hours each day on Saturday and Sunday – a peak weekend for summer holiday travel.

It follows action by controllers in Spain on July 11 and 12.

Walkouts are planned between 10am and 1pm on Saturday and 5pm and 8pm on Sunday.

easyJet said: ‘We plan to operate our normal schedule and like all airlines flying to and from Spain, we expect to be impacted by moderate delays during this period as a result of the strike. We recommend that all customers flying to or from Spain on those dates check the status of their flight on our Flight Tracker page before going to the airport.’

Calais Eurotunnel entrance hit by fresh strike action

Eurotunnel has been hit by further problems as striking ferry workers set fire to tyres in Calais, blocking one of the entrances to the French terminal. Plumes of smoke could be seen billowing over the port as authorities worked to remove the blockade and repair the road this afternoon.

A statement on Eurotunnel’s website read: “The Maritime Nord Union has this morning blocked access to, and exit from our French Terminal in the Calais direction. Entry is still possible from the Boulogne direction following local diversions in place. If your arrival to check-in at Calais is delayed, please rest assured that we will accommodate you on the next departure with space available.’

Eurostar said its service was unaffected.

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