The Board of British Cypriots has written to UK Minister of State for Europe Stephen Doughty urging a review of the British government’s travel advisory for Cyprus, warning that the current wording is already causing flight and holiday cancellations with consequences for the island’s tourism industry.
The British Foreign Office (FCDO) updated its Cyprus travel advice on 5 March, adding language stating that terrorist attacks “cannot be ruled out” and that attacks “could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals.” The update stopped short of recommending against travel to Cyprus. The advisory also noted the confirmed drone impact at RAF Akrotiri on 2 March and warned that regional escalation “poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.”
Despite keeping Cyprus at its lowest warning level, the FCDO flagged growing indirect disruption as airlines cancel or reroute services through Gulf hubs, with more than 40 such flights cancelled in a single 24-hour period.
In the letter, the board acknowledges the UK Foreign Office’s responsibility to keep British citizens safe abroad, but argues that the advisory does not reflect a balanced or proportionate assessment of the situation. “Vigilance is necessary, but the risk of terrorist activity is a global phenomenon and is not limited exclusively to the region,” the letter states.
The board highlights the approaching Easter period, noting that Cyprus was preparing to receive millions of visitors and that the tourism sector had made extensive preparations to promote the island. It warns that the current advisory risks damaging Cyprus’s image as a safe and attractive destination, with potentially serious economic consequences.
The letter also points to Cyprus’s broader regional role, noting that for more than two decades the island has provided humanitarian assistance and helped repatriate foreign nationals from crisis zones, and drawing attention to Cyprus’s current EU Presidency.
The board is calling on the British government to examine the issue urgently and to revise the advisory where appropriate.
The Board of British Cypriots promotes Cypriot interests in London and has previously corresponded with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The letter is signed by Doros Partasides, Marie Nicholsby, Antonis Savvides, Spyros Neofytou, Spyros Papacharalambous, Dr Elias Dinenis, Pantelis Dimosthenous and John Stergides.
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