The country’s most trusted travel advisory platform still has the major transit hubs of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha listed at the highest warning level alongside other Middle Eastern countries such as Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
“The situation in the Middle East region remains volatile and there is still a risk of attacks and escalation,” according to the site.
However, Long told sister publication Travel Daily that thousands of Australians are now transiting through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi every week without incident, and it was time for the advisory to reflect the changes already undertaken by a host of other countries.
“‘Do Not Travel’ is for countries in a state of civil war, not major international hubs – that’s an unprecedented situation and it’s disproportionate,” Long argued.
“Other countries have already downgraded their advice to ‘reconsider the need to travel’, and now we are asking for Australia’s advisory to be brought back into line with the experience on the ground.”
Long also highlighted the complications the Smartraveller advisory is causing travellers with regard to their insurance policies.
“As long as the advisory remains, travellers are unknowingly voiding their insurance cover while transiting through Qatar or the UAE.
“We are calling on the government to change that, especially given how critical it is for overall confidence and forward bookings.”
View the latest advice HERE.
