Stay away from the Middle East, government agencies advise

Avoid the Middle East completely. That is the message from the UK Foreign Office.

The Brits have issued travel warnings for more than a dozen countries across the region.

Civil unrest continues in Iran, particularly in the capital Tehran (above) with possible strikes by the US and/or Israel a possibility. The UK this week temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran.

“There is a heightened risk of regional tension," the FCDO said in the updated advisory. "Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.

"If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.

"British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you." 

It cautions travellers in, or going to, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Turkey, Israel and Palestine, news hub Travel Mole reports.

“British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”

Iran has closed its airspace to all flights, while several airlines have suspended scheduled services to Tehran and other cities.

Australia's official SmartTraveller website advises against travel to Iran, Syria, Iraq and Yemen and to "exercise a high degree of caution" in the rest of the Middle East.  

"We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel overall due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism," the website says.

"We continue to advise do not travel to border areas with Gaza (Palestine) or Lebanon."

And if you are flying with Emirates, Etihad or other carriers to the UAE: "Exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE due to the threat of terrorism."

China eases visa rules for Australians

Good news for Australian travellers wanting to visit China.

As from tomorrow no visaa will needed for stays of up to 30 days - meaning visits to Chinese consulates will be a thing of the past.

“From 0:00 on November 30th, 2024 to 24:00 on December 31st, 2025 of Beijing time, citizens holding ordinary passports of Australia traveling to China for business, tourism, family visit, transit and exchange purposes and with the duration of each single stay not exceeding 30 days, are eligible for visa-free entry policy,” the Chinese embassy in Canberra announced.

The switch from 15 days to 30 days has not affected the SmartTraveller advice level.

“We continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution in China,” the Australian government site says.

“As previously advised, authorities have detained foreigners on the grounds of 'endangering national security'. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention or harsh enforcement of local laws, including broadly defined National Security Laws.”

Image: The Great Wall of China

Tourists warned they could be terror targets

The US wants to be the world's policeman.

But the global arbiter of what is good and evil - and the country that is what war more often than any other - has admitted that its politics put its citizens at increased risk around the globe.

The US State Department this weekend issued a global travel warning for all Americans abroad.

It advised all US nationals around the world to "exercise increased caution because of tensions in various locations around the world".

Increased tensions have the potential for ‘terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against US citizens and interests, it said.

So look out loud, gum-chewing, baseball hats on backwards types. You are easy to spot.

The warning came as a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said: “We take a number of factors into consideration when making the determination.

“It’s not necessarily any one thing but everything that we’re watching around the world."

Travel advisories for Lebanon and Israel are currently at the highest level, with non-essential government staff and their families are asked to leave, Travel Mole reports.

Global travel warnings are fairly rare but the State Department issued a similar worldwide advisory last year when al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed.

US citizens are advised to "stay alert in locations frequented by tourists".

Australians - whose government has taken a strong pro-Israel stance - have been issued with a similar warning from the government's SmartTraveller app. 

"We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest," it said over the weekend.

"We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza and border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities. We now also advise do not travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) due to the volatile security situation.

"The situation is highly challenging and rapidly changing. Australians who want to leave are strongly encouraged to take the first available option. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport remains open and commercial flights are available."