THE Foreign and Commonwealth Office has announced wide-ranging plans to
change the way it delivers travel advice.
A review presented to Parliament last week aimed to reduce the number of
non-essential travel bans by applying them to “severe and imminent threats”
only. Elsewhere it will aim to provide more detailed and transparent advice for
travellers so they can make their own decisions.
The change is a victory for the trade following perceived
inconsistencies and blanket bans which devastated destinations such as Bali and
Kenya.
The FCO aims to introduce the changes by the summer following a
consultation period that concludes at the end of April. Trade bodies such as
ABTA and the Association of Independent Tour Operators and a number of tour operators
have taken part in the consultation, which began last year.
The changes are intended to reduce the impact of negative advice on
countries affected and emphasise more severe threats.
Foreign
secretary Jack Straw told Parliament: “This would not mean a reduction in
advice. When we have specific evidence of extreme and imminent danger from
terrorism abroad, we will of course warn British nationals against travel. But
in the case of a general potential threat, issuing a prescription against
travel will, I believe, only achieve widespread disruption – which is exactly
what the terrorists want.”
The changes will include more details on why decisions are made and an
increased attempt to lift warnings as soon as possible.
Kuoni product director Francis Torrilla said: “It’s
just what the industry has been asking for. The public will be better informed
and there will be greater transparency about decisions. Why was there was a
blanket ban on Bali but not on Madrid?”