Federal Foreign Office: How safe is my holiday in Egypt, Türkiye, Japan? | Life & Knowledge
Drought in Italy, travel warning for Egypt – and how does the Middle East conflict affect holidays in Turkey? There are currently uncertainties and dangers in many popular holiday destinations.
The Federal Foreign Office regularly issues new travel warnings, partial travel warnings and travel advisories. Most of the warnings concern countries that are not popular Destinations But holiday destinations are also often included.
BILD explains which destinations are currently affected and where you can still travel.
► Conflict in the Middle East: Where are there travel warnings and travel advice?
The war in Israel affects not only the state itself, but also surrounding destinations such as Egypt and Turkey:
Israel
Because of the war, the AA particularly warns against travel to Israel itself and into the Palestinian territories. Since Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, there have been military operations in the Gaza Strip and Israel continues to be under fire.
All parts are affected, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem from Gaza, the southern coast from Yemen and the north of Israel from Lebanon. Tensions between Iran and Israel pose an additional risk of escalation.
Tel Aviv is actually a popular travel destination – but there is currently war in Israel
Egypt
Diving in the Red Sea or visiting the pyramids: Egypt has a lot to offer holidaymakers. However, the Foreign Office (AA) has issued a partial travel warning for the North African country. The reason for this is also the war in Israel: The AA warns against travel to the north of the Sinai Peninsula, to the Egyptian-Israeli border area and generally to remote areas of the Sahara.
There are also repeated pro-Palestinian demonstrations throughout the country – you should avoid these as a tourist.
Türkiye
Also the Türkiye is affected by the war in Israel. Although there is currently no travel warning for the popular travel destination, spontaneous, pro-Palestinian protests and riots may occur.
In addition, the A.A. strongly advises against travelling to the border area with Syria or Iraq. And: “There are still cases in which German citizens are arbitrarily arrested, banned from leaving the country or prevented from entering Turkey,” warns the authority.
► Where do the climate crisis and environmental disasters cause travel warnings or advisories?
But it's not just in war zones that holidays can become dangerous – climate change, with natural disasters and their consequences, also means that popular travel destinations are no longer safe. This is the case in Japan, the Philippines and even Italy.
Japan
Japan has now become a popular travel destination for many Germans. But even in this otherwise very safe country, there is a partial travel warning.
Since the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in 2011, there are areas that have been evacuated due to increased radiation levels. The AA therefore warns against traveling to these regions. Parts of the towns of Futaba, Iitate, Katsurao, Minamisōma, Namie, Okuma and Tomioka are affected.
Culture and nature attract many to Japan – but there is still an increased danger around Fukushima
Philippines
The Philippines lure with beautiful beaches and Asian culture. Since a strong eruption was observed at the Kanlaon volcano on the island of Negros, the volcano and earthquake observatory has issued warning level 2.
The AA warns against travel to the following areas: Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX), Northern Mindanao (Region X), except the island of Camiguin, Davao Region (Region XI), except the urban area of Davao City, Soccsksargen (Region XII), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), islands of the Sulu archipelago.
Italy
Heat and drought currently have Italy firmly in its grip
Italy is one of the most popular travel destinations for Germans. But it is precisely there that the AA is now warning of drought. In the central and southern regions, especially in Sicily, heat and lack of rain have caused “significant water shortages”.
Therefore, drought warnings at level red (highest warning level) apply to Sicily and level orange (second highest level) to the regions: Marche, Lazio, Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise, Apulia, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata and Sardinia.