Middle East Travel Update

Important Information

Caring for our customers and ensuring their safety is our priority.

We understand that the situation in the Middle East is worrying and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the current events.

Please be assured that we are monitoring developments closely and following the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

We will contact you directly if your holiday booking is to a destination that the Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to.

We are working through affected bookings in departure date order.

If your holiday is not affected by this advice, normal booking terms and conditions apply. If the situation changes we will contact you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, we will continue to provide updates as further information is available.

FAQs

Where can I find the latest travel guidance?

You can view travel advice by destination from the UK Government Foreign Office and sign up for FCDO alerts by visiting www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

I am due to travel later this year. Will my holiday go ahead?

Yes, unless the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to a holiday destination, in which case we will contact any customers affected and discuss their options. The FCDO monitors destinations closely and shares regularly updated advice on its website, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.

My holiday destination is not currently impacted by FCDO advice against travel, but I don’t want to go away, what are my options?

We understand you are concerned about travelling and are sorry you don’t want to go. You can amend or cancel in line with your tour operator’s booking terms and conditions.

Is my holiday to Turkey affected by what is happening in the Middle East?

At this time, there are no changes to holidays in Turkey, which remains a popular destination for many travellers currently enjoying their holidays there. Turkey’s holiday destinations on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts are geographically closer to areas of Europe and many hundreds of miles from the restricted travel zone. These include: Antalya, Side, Bodrum, Dalaman, Fethiye, Izmir, Marmaris, and Kusadasi.

We continue to monitor Foreign Office guidance and are in regular contact with our tour operator and airline partners.

Holidays will continue to go ahead while:

• Foreign Office (FCDO) travel advice remains unchanged and there are no travel restrictions to Turkey’s holiday destinations
• Flights to Turkey are operating as scheduled
• Hotels and resorts continue to run normally

If anything changes, we will act quickly and contact our customers to provide guidance and options.

I am due to travel to/transit through the Middle East. What should I do?

If you have a holiday booked to the Middle East, or are due to stop off in the affected area while the FCDO advises against all but essential travel there, we will contact you and liaise with your tour operator. Thank you for your patience while we work through affected bookings in departure date order.

I have friends and relatives in the UAE on holiday, what should they be doing?

Please advise your friends and relatives to follow FCDO advice and register for updates. They should only travel to the airport if they have a confirmed ticket from their airline.

How can I contact Friends Holidays?

You can reach us through our website at friendsholidays.co.uk, call our customer service team. Contact details are available on our website.