Collette: In its travel alert posted on March 3, Collette suspended several of its itineraries in the Middle East. “As we continue to monitor the conflict in the Middle East, we have made the decision to cancel the following programs for travel through June 2026: Treasures of Egypt, Egypt & Jordan, Cape Town to Cairo, Jordan Extension on all tour series, Dubai Extension on all tour series,” the alert says, “We will continue to monitor the situation, communicating any further updates as needed.”
What is the US government advising?
The US Department of State website has placed travel to Egypt at a Level 2 advisory, urging travelers to “exercise increased caution” in the country with certain areas designated as Level 4, meaning do not travel under any circumstances. High-risk areas deemed to be level four include the Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula due to terrorism, the Western Desert due to risk to safety and security unless traveling with a professionally licensed tour company, and the Egyptian border areas due to military zones.
The advisory lists several potential target sites, including: Religious sites (mosques, churches, monasteries, and buses traveling there); local government buildings; diplomatic facilities (embassies); tourist sites; transportation centers; shopping malls; restaurants and foreign businesses; resorts; roadside checkpoints; and urban areas in Cairo.
Travelers have been cautioned against participating in demonstrations in Egypt as individuals simply in the vicinity of political protests have been apprehended, US citizens have been arrested for their participation in protests, and local law prohibits protesting and demonstrating without permit.
The advisory has also noted the US government’s limited capacity to aid US-Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained and that dual citizens are considered solely Egyptian citizens under Egyptian law.
Americans in the Middle East are being advised to follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate.
What are foreign governments advising?
United Kingdom: The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against travel to parts of Egypt including the Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai, the northern part of South Sinai, the eastern part of Ismailiyah Governorate, Hala’ib Triangle and Bir Tawil Trapezoid, and the Western Desert except for certain regions such as Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the Valley of the Kings.
Australia: On the whole, the Australian government advises travelers exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Egypt with warnings to reconsider travel to the South Sinai Governorate except for the southern coastal area of Sharm el Sheikh, the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal, areas of the West of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, and the Haila’ib Triangle and within 20 kilometers of the southern border with Sudan. There is a “do not travel” advisory for the Governorate of North Sinai, including the Taba-Suez Road, or within 40 kilometers of Egypt’s border with Libya due to the high threat of terrorist attack and serious crime, including kidnapping and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid.
Canada: The Canadian government currently advises travelers to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Egypt with additional region-specific advisories. The advisory notes to avoid all non-essential travel to the northern part of the Governorate of South Sinai and to avoid all travel to the Western desert and Libyan border area as well as Northern Sinai.
How does this affect travel insurance?
Most standard travel insurance policies rely on government-issued “do not travel” advisories to trigger cancellations or claims. Current warnings and advisories from governments may affect travel insurance if they are not adhered to. Travelers are urged to keep up to date with their government’s latest advice before traveling. If your trip is impacted, see our full guide to what travel insurance covers during airspace closures.
This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information.
