The UK Foreign Office has warned travellers heading to Dubai of potential ‘terrorist attacks’ that could target British nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In updated travel guidance, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns that terrorists may try to carry out attacks in the UAE, including Dubai – which welcomes up to 16 million international visitors every year.
The government department writes: ‘There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets.
‘Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
‘UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack.’
The FCDO further notes that although terrorists may target western interests and British nationals specifically, attacks ‘could also be indiscriminate,’ including in areas frequented by foreign visitors.
Further advice states: ‘Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region.’
Tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as regional hostilities in the wider Gulf region, have contributed to the elevated threat level.
Several types of locations have been identified as high risk, including; public and crowded spaces, such as hotels, restaurants, beaches and shopping centres, and transport networks.
Travellers should be especially vigilant when visiting sensitive sites, such as Israeli or Jewish-linked sites, residential compounds, military sites and places of worship.
The FCDO advises: ‘Maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and at public events.’
British travellers are urged to keep up to date with regional events via local and international media, adhere to any instructions provided by local UAE security forces, and check the official FCDO page for the UAE for real-time updates.
Despite the high threat of terrorism, the FCDO does not currently advise against travel to the UAE as a whole.
It continues to be a popular destination, with over one million British visitors annually.
And travel writer Jane Knight, who’s been holidaying there for 20 years, recently revealed why she thinks it’s one of the world’s most incredible destinations.
She wrote: ‘Before I first visited Dubai two decades ago, I imagined it to be little more than Disneyland in the desert. How wrong I was.
‘What I discovered was some of the world’s best beachside hotels enjoying year-round sunshine – and a mere seven-hour flight away.
‘These days it’s a little more surreal, with its futuristic skyscrapers and unusual attractions, such as an Emirates A380 “superjumbo” covered in half a million blooms at Dubai Miracle Garden, as well as the Dubai Frame – the world’s biggest building in the shape of a photo frame.
‘Over the years I’ve done it all, from ascending the 2,722ft (828m) Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest construction – to diving into the planet’s deepest pool, Deep Dive Dubai, which plunges nearly 200ft (60m).
‘More recently, it’s the food that’s impressed. Dubai’s dining scene has exploded, with 19 Michelin-starred restaurants and counting. Little wonder the city welcomed a staggering 18.2 million international visitors last year (that’s more than Paris).’
