Foreign & Commonwealth Office News
Foreign Office warns British visitors over potential Tunisia danger
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has warned visitors to Tunisia to exercise caution ahead of government elections in the country. The FCO warned Tunisia remains in a period of political transition following the 2011 revolution, with danger heightened during the build up to the second round of voting in the presidential election.
Egypt takes step toward recovery as FCO updates travel advice
Following the positive news on November 8th 2013 when the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office lifted its advice against all but essential travel to the whole of Egypt, with the exception of the Red Sea, the FCO has now lifted the advisory against travel to Cairo. The travel advice changes follow restrictions that were lifted earlier this month to the popular tourist centres of Luxor and Aswan.
British travellers advised to be wary of Lebanon
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has warned British travellers the political situation in Lebanon is making it increasingly dangerous there. FCO advice warns against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps in the country, as well as to within five kilometers of the Syrian Border, and the Hermel Area, including Arsal, Baalbek.
FCO warns Brits not to get caught out by overseas laws
Playing bingo, snacking while sitting on a monument or feeding pigeons may seem innocent enough to many British citizens, but these are just some of the reasons why many people have found themselves faced with hefty fines or in some cases arrested or detained abroad. Every year Brits are caught out by local laws and customs which might seem harmless in the UK, some of which carry serious consequences.
FCO warns Brits on overseas drinking
The latest cutting edge research from the Foreign & Commonwealth has revealed around half of 16-24 year olds are likely to drink more on holiday than at home. Two thirds attributed this to alcohol being cheaper, while per pressure is also a major factor, with 40 per cent of those surveyed saying they had felt pressure from friends to drink more than they wanted to.
Foreign Office seeks to check emergency travel documents growth
Using your passport as a beermat, notebook or putting it in the washing machine are just some of the reasons why British holidaymakers are now spending millions each year on emergency travel documents - issued when passports are lost, stolen or damaged while abroad. And the problem is on the rise: ‘avoidable’ cases have increased significantly in 2012-13, with ETDs issued for expired or damaged passports increasing by over 300 per cent.
FCO advises against travel to all of Yemen
The Foreign Office is ‘strongly urging’ British nationals to leave Yemen while commercial carriers are still flying, amid a terrorism warning which will see the two-day closure of its embassy.
British women warned over India travel
Britain has advised female tourists to be cautious while traveling in India in the wake of the rape of a Swiss tourist in Madhya Pradesh last week. Six men accused of raping the 39-year-old Swiss tourist, who was camping with her husband in a forest in Madhya Pradesh, have been remanded in custody.
FCO warns Britons travelling to Cyprus over banking crisis
The British Foreign Office has warned tourists travelling to Cyprus to take pounds and euros as well as credit and debit cards as fears grow the banking crisis in the country will mean they cannot access money. The Cypriot government announced plans for a savings levy in a bid to protect its banking sector over the weekend.
FCO warns travellers over dangers of Thai travel
The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office has updated information for travellers heading to Thailand. However, officials at the body have stopped short of issuing a travel warning for the destination.
British family killed in France
Three British holidaymakers in France have been found dead in a car near Lake Annecy in the Alps. A four-year-old girl was subsequently found unharmed in the car, while a fifth is being treated in hospital after being found critically injured at the road side, with all five believed to be from the same family.
Foreign & Commonwealth launches Plan.Pack.Explore app
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has launched Plan.Pack.Explore, a new travel guide for those planning a trip abroad. Khalida Cox from the Know Before You Go team at the FCO said: “Now that exam results are out and people start considering a gap year, preparation can be daunting for young people and their parents – particularly if it is a trip away without family for the first time.