British Foreign Office downgrades Yemen’s travel advice

The British foreign office cancelled its travel advice that warned British citizens from traveling to Yemen. The new travel advice issued on August 20 warns British citizens against traveling to five Yemeni governorates of Sada, Marib Shabwa, al-Jawf and Hadramout, said Chantel Mortimer, second secretary for political press and projects affairs at the British Embassy in Sana’a.
 
The Foreign Office has removed its blanket warning against travel to Yemen.  Since June the Foreign Office has warned against “all but essential travel” to the entire of Yemen but it has now downgraded this warning to just five of the country’s 21 Governorates. 

Britons are still urged to avoid non-essential travel to Sa’dah, Ma’rib, al Jawf, Shabwah and Hardramaut. All other areas are now deemed safe for responsible travelers. 

“There has been a drop in violence in recent months,” said a Foreign Office spokeswoman.  “The status is regularly reviewed, taking into account our intelligence and information on the ground.”  Paul Craven, country director for Steppes Travel, who offer tailor-made tours to Yemen, welcomed the announcement. 

“It is great news,” said Mr. Craven. “When you specialize in unusual destinations, particularly the Middle-East, people appreciate official reassurance. We will, however, take the same precautions as we have done for the past 10 years,” he added. 

Nearly 10,000 Britons visit Yemen each year.

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