Confusion in British media over an alleged ‘do-not-travel’ notice for Cyprus was laid to rest on 18 April after the British High Commission in Nicosia issued a rare on-the-record statement. Responding to tabloid headlines that lumped Cyprus with destinations facing official advice against all but essential travel, the mission said the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) “has not changed the overall risk level for Cyprus,” which remains at its lowest category. The misunderstanding arose after the FCDO updated wording on 5 March—three days after a confirmed drone strike on RAF Akrotiri—to include generic language that terror attacks “cannot be ruled out.” Travel-trade associations complained that the tweak was mis-reported as a formal escalation, triggering holiday cancellations and raising the spectre of insurance invalidation. In its clarification the High Commission emphasised that Cyprus is outside the combat zone and that most airlines have restored normal schedules. The Cypriot government, keen to protect a sector worth 23 % of GDP, welcomed the statement and announced a €3 million marketing blitz in the UK to rebuild confidence ahead of the summer peak. For global-mobility managers the episode is a reminder to track the exact wording—and date—of government advisories. An unchanged risk level means corporate travel insurance and duty-of-care thresholds for Cyprus remain intact, but companies should still remind travellers to monitor FCDO feeds and register with their provider’s alert system. The FCDO said it will keep Cyprus under “constant review,” noting that its advice balances safety with the need to avoid disproportionate economic fallout on partner countries.
Source: In-Cyprus
