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The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently issuing travel warnings for more than three dozen countries. These also include some popular vacation destinations.
Berlin – Germany is shivering at Christmas, in freezing cold weather. Given the early onset of winter, it is likely that some citizens will move to warmer distances. Further south, the sun, sand and sea still tempt you with pleasant temperatures.
Holidays in November or December: Travel warnings apply to 38 countries
If you want to escape the cold, think carefully about where you are going. After all, the world is in crisis due to several wars and conflicts. The result: some desired goals are currently off the table. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists 38 countries to which travel warnings or partial travel warnings apply (as of November 25).
This also includes popular holiday destinations. Israel, for example, where the conflict in the Middle East flared up again after the massacre perpetrated by fighters from the Palestinian radical Islamic organization Hamas, on October 7th. In Japan there are at least warnings against visiting the evacuated areas around the Fukushima nuclear plant.
Foreign Office warns against traveling to the Philippines: “Increased risk of kidnapping”
Haiti is experiencing unrest and foreigners could become targets for kidnappings, according to the warning. In the Caribbean island state, there is also a risk of being injured in violent clashes between gangs, during protests or during looting, it is claimed.
At least some regions and areas of the Philippines should not be visited. There is “an increased risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings, both on land and at sea”.
But many warnings also apply to African countries. For example, in Ethiopia, where the government declared a six-month state of emergency for the Amhara region in August. Paramilitary units engage in armed clashes with the army.
Travel warnings for Algeria and Egypt: Certain parts of the country should be off limits
For Algeria, there is a warning against “travel to border areas with Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Western Sahara”. It is even strongly discouraged “tourist trips to other areas of the Algerian Sahara, the immediate border region with Morocco, and outside the districts of large cities in the northern part of the country, to rural areas and mountainous regions” if these trips are not accompanied by police protection .
Egypt is particularly popular with German tourists, especially thanks to its sandy beaches. But here too the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns against traveling to certain parts of the country. After all, Egypt borders Israel and the Gaza Strip, where Jerusalem troops have been trying to bring Hamas to its knees for weeks.
Lots happening on the beach: Alexandria is one of the favorite tourist destinations in Egypt. ©IMAGO/Xinhua
The north of the Sinai Peninsula, the border area between Egypt and Israel – with the exception of Taba – and remote areas of the Sahara should not be crossed, according to Berlin. Additionally, individual unaccompanied tours and land travel in the southern Sinai Peninsula are not recommended.
Holidays in Egypt: Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentions incidents with police and missiles
In Egypt there are always pro-Palestinian demonstrations, sometimes with a large number of participants. More such events can be expected, especially on Fridays after midday prayers. It is advisable to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people.
The Foreign Office also mentions two incidents. On October 8, a police officer shot and killed two Israeli tourists and an Egyptian tour guide at a tourist site in Alexandria. The man was arrested. Several people were injured when a missile hit the Sinai towns of Taba and Nuweiba on October 27. They were probably misguided drones.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Egypt: “Take special caution”
Regardless, there is a risk of terrorist attacks across the country. However, the last one occurred four years ago, when a car bomb exploded in the center of Cairo in August 2019, claiming at least 20 lives. In some cases, terrorists have also targeted foreign citizens.
You can expect an increase in security checks, especially at night. During holidays such as Coptic Christmas on January 7, people should avoid close proximity to Coptic institutions. In principle, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states: “Take special care when traveling to Egypt, including the tourist areas of the Red Sea.” (mg)