By Jordan Coussins
The Foreign Office has sounded the alarm for UK travellers eyeing Cyprus as a summer destination, cautioning them to ‘be vigilant’ amid increasing tensions in the vicinity. Their latest travel guidance highlights ‘ongoing hostilities’ between Israel and Iran, which have the potential to ‘escalate quickly’, potentially impacting the safety of the region inclusive of Cyprus. This comes after Israel’s recent strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliation. Whilst Cyprus itself isn’t an active participant in these conflicts, its proximity, just 145 miles from Israel, notably with popular tourist spot Ayia Napa, raises concerns, along with the added complexity of UK Sovereign Base Areas being situated on the island. Read more: Spanish city desperate for more UK tourists In their current advice for Cyprus-bound Brits, the Foreign Office warns: “Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Iran could escalate quickly and pose security risks for the wider region.” Britain has not restricted travel to Cyprus but urges Britons heading there to stay informed by consistently checking local and global news updates, reports the Mirror . Moreover, they recommend that tourists “be vigilant and follow the instructions of local authorities”. The Foreign Office’s safety and security guidance comes with a stark warning: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.” Yet, it also points out: “Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Cyprus, attacks cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” Wondering if you can jet off to Cyprus this summer? Currently, there’s nothing disrupting flights in or around Cyprus, and travel companies are operating business as usual. But if the thought of potential conflict escalation has you fretting over your flight plans, best give your airline a ring for their take on possible cancellations. For those with hotel bookings already in the bag, it’s wise to check in with your accommodation for any advice they might have for guests amidst your stay. You can suss out more on what the Foreign Office has to say about travelling to Cyprus by giving their online guidance a gander.