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From the treasures of the Holy Land in Israel to the shores of the Black Sea, the wilds of Iceland and the coastline of Ecuador, more of the world is no-go now for tourism than at any time since the pandemic.
MSC Cruises announced this week that it is cancelling any voyages that were due to pass through the Suez Canal and Red Sea, instead sending its ships back to Europe without passengers around the west coast of Africa.
Passengers are being offered refunds or alternative sailings.
Troubles in the Middle East have brought an almost complete stop to tourism in the region, with Israel, Lebanon and North Sinai in Egypt out of bounds to holidaymakers on Foreign Office travel advice.
Meanwhile, mayhem in Ecuador has seen crime gang leaders break out of jail sparking widespread unrest and the declaration of a state of emergency.
In Iceland, volcanic activity has closed the popular Blue Lagoon thermal water attraction — although tourism elsewhere in the country continues.
Throw in the almost two years old Russian re-invasion of Ukraine, closing off what had been the increasingly popular city breaks destinations of Kyiv, Lviv and Odessa on the Black Sea — with Russia itself, the world’s biggest nation, also on the no-go list — and much of the planet is now out of bounds.
Noel Josephides, chairman of Sunvil holidays, who has worked in the travel industry for 53 years, says: ‘There’s just so much volatility. It’s not just whether there’s a danger or not: it’s the perception of danger. People see what’s going on and think: “Oh, we’ll just give it a skip this year.” ’
Troubles in Sri Lanka, where large-scale political protests resulted in violence and deaths in 2022, has prompted the Foreign Office to warn that ‘violent unrest can happen anywhere across the island at short notice’. This comes after an Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in April 2019 during which more than 250 people were killed in churches and hotels.
Enough to put off most, yet Sam Clark, co-founder of Experience Travel Group, which specialises in Sri Lanka, believes the Foreign Office is exaggerating the danger: ‘There were widespread political protests, but not for 18 months and even at the time there was no danger to tourists,’ he said.
Where there is a real concern for the safety of holidaymakers, Clark says his company will cancel trips.
This week, Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, said it was ‘hard to think of a time’ when the West faced so many threats and ‘the lights are absolutely flashing red’ across the the globe.
But, if you do have a taste for adventure, here are some safe ideas…
Iceland: International airport open, but dangerous volcanic activity near the town of Grindavík in the Reykjanes peninsula in the south-west.
Israel: All but essential trips off the agenda as the conflict in Gaza continues – no pilgrimages to the Holy Land.
Suez Canal: MSC Cruises has already cancelled trips due to concern about Iran-backed houthi rebels operating in Yemen by the Red Sea – others may follow.
Ukraine: Popular city breaks in Kyiv, Lviv and the Black Sea port/resort of Odessa not possible since the conflict began in February 2020.
Sri Lanka: Controversial warnings that political demonstrations and violent unrest can happen anywhere at short notice. Tourism continues but the FCO is full of forboding
Egypt: The North Sinai region above the road to St Catherine’s Monastery close to Israel unsafe.
Russia: The biggest country in the world (6.6 million square miles) off the tourist map for now.
Libya: Disintegration of civil society since the Arab Spring, with travel unsafe since 2014 – Roman cities of Leptis Magna and Sabratha off limits.
Iran: No-go with high risk of arbitrary detention, closing off beautiful ancient Persian sights in Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran.
Lebanon: Out of bounds for tourists as troubles overflow from Israel – once attracted skiers at this time of year.
Myanmar (Burma): A state of emergency has been in place since a military coup in 2021.
Sudan: Military conflict has shutdown tourism to ancient sights of Khartoum and the Nubian pyramids.
Tunisia: Unsafe within 20km of Libyan border.
Algeria: Unsafe within 30km of Tunisian and Libyan borders with terrorists likely to carry out attacks.
North Korea: Once popular with adventure tourists but borders are currently closed to outsiders.
Ecuador: State of emergency due to rise in criminal activity – tourists should stay away from coastal areas/the Colombian border. But Galapagos fine.
Cuba: Tourism continues, but warning by American authorities that visitors will no longer be eligible for tourist ESTAs (and must apply for visas).
Syria: Ancient sights have been shut off since Arab Spring protests against President Assad in March 2011 spiralled into full-blown civil war.
Jordan: Safe to go, but advised to stay away from its borders with Syria and Israel – the wonders of 300BC Petra can still be visited.
