Carolyn Johnston TravelManagers Australia

Carolyn Johnston TravelManagers Australia Home based Travel Agent for TravelManagers Australia.

23/06/2025

Latest Information from Smartraveller.gov.au
Global impacts of conflict in the Middle East
Last updated Monday, 23/06/2025


The situation in the Middle East is unpredictable. It could get worse with little warning. Security risks may increase. There may be travel disruptions within the region and globally.

Safety and security
Conflict in the Middle East could impact safety and security elsewhere. There is a risk of reprisal attacks and further escalation. Protests and civil unrest may happen globally. The risk of terrorist attacks can increase, particularly around:

areas where foreign tourists gather
embassies
other foreign interests.
Read our advice about armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping and protests and civil unrest.

Travel impacts
Closure of airspace around transit hubs in the Middle East may impact flights globally. It may cause flight delays and cancellations.

Your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Contact your travel agent or airline to confirm your plans.

If you travel to or through the Middle East, you may be unable to leave if conflict escalates. Local security situations could get worse with little warning. Flights can change or stop at short notice. Roads and borders can close.

What you should do
Before you go
Contact your airline to confirm your flights.
Check your travel insurance's policy on flight cancellations and travel advice level increases.
Research where you're going before you book. Read the travel advice for your destination and subscribe for free updates.
Check the advice level and understand what our advice levels mean.
Decide if you feel safe travelling to your planned destination.
Be aware of current affairs where you're going.
While you're travelling
Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places or mass gatherings.
Report anything suspicious to the police.
Monitor the local and international news for any new threats.
Take official warnings seriously.
Decide if you feel safe travelling to your planned destination.
Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Read more
Read our advice about the Israel-Iran conflict.
See our information about armed conflict, terrorism, kidnapping and protests and civil unrest.

20/06/2025

TRAVEL INSURANCE, does it cover 'acts of war'? This recent article in TravelTalk magazine summaries:

"As the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates and long-haul flight paths are diverted to avoid dangerous airspace, travel agents are once again on the frontline of a difficult conversation: does my travel insurance cover me in the event of war?

The reality is, for most Australian travellers, the answer is no. The vast majority of policies available through Australian insurers explicitly exclude cover for war, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or military conflict—whether declared or not. This applies even if a traveller is caught up in a conflict zone unexpectedly or has to cancel their trip due to rising tensions. A recent Finder analysis of 22 major Australian travel insurance providers found none that offered standard cover for war-related events.

For example, in a high-profile case last year, a traveller who cancelled a trip to Tel Aviv after the Israel–Hamas conflict broke out was denied a claim by AIG. The matter was escalated to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, which upheld the decision on the grounds that war and hostilities were clearly excluded in the policy wording. A similar outcome was recorded when a Mediterranean cruise was cancelled due to Red Sea unrest—again, the insurer declined cover based on the war exclusion clause.

What agents need to be aware of is that terrorism and war are treated very differently in insurance. Some providers—like Travelex or certain AXA policies—offer limited cover for terrorism, but this rarely includes cancellation benefits and may only apply to medical expenses. Even then, cover is often void if the traveller has entered a country against official government advice, particularly if DFAT has issued a “Do Not Travel” warning.

As you advise clients, it’s worth noting that major Australian insurers including nib, Allianz and Cover-More all confirm in their Product Disclosure Statements that they will not pay claims for any event arising from war, rebellion, military uprising, or similar disturbances. In the case of Cover-More (underwritten by Zurich), they do offer complimentary policy extensions for customers overseas who are delayed in returning home due to conflict—one of the few gestures of flexibility offered under these circumstances.

So what options can agents suggest to clients concerned about conflict-related cancellations? The most practical add-on is a Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) upgrade. These are not widely available in Australia, but where offered, they may reimburse between 50 and 75 per cent of non-refundable costs—even in the case of a conflict-related cancellation. However, CFAR must usually be purchased within a narrow window after booking and can come with significant additional cost."

For destinations in or near known hotspots, the best course of action may be to steer clients towards flexible fares, refundable accommodation, and providers with generous change policies. While these don’t replace the protection of insurance, they do provide an exit strategy if the security situation deteriorates.

As always, it’s essential that agents encourage their clients to read the PDS carefully—especially the sections on exclusions—and keep a close eye on DFAT travel advisories. If a client chooses to travel to a destination under a “Do Not Travel” alert, their insurance will almost certainly be void. Similarly, if conflict breaks out after they’ve departed, they should contact their insurer immediately—some may offer assistance or extensions on compassionate grounds.

With conflict zones shifting and global flight paths being adjusted in real-time, travel agents play a crucial role in helping clients navigate not only the logistics of travel, but the complex fine print of what’s covered—and what isn’t.

20/06/2025

If you are travelling to Europe the following article from Traveltalk Magazine today might be of interest to you:

For those booking international travel through Middle Eastern hubs, the current geopolitical climate requires close attention. The recent escalation between Israel and Iran has resulted in temporary airspace closures across several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Israel, prompting significant disruption to flight paths and schedules.

While key transit airports such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi remain fully operational, carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa and British Airways have been forced to reroute services to avoid affected airspace. These diversions—often via Egypt, Turkey or Central Asia—can add hours to long-haul routes, impacting onward connections and raising the risk of delays.

European and American aviation authorities have issued conflict zone guidance advising airlines to avoid flying over southern Iran, parts of Iraq and Syria. Although not formal bans, these notices are influencing how carriers structure their flight paths, particularly for Europe–Asia and Australia–Europe routes. As a result, some carriers have temporarily suspended flights to high-risk destinations such as Tel Aviv, Baghdad and Tehran, while maintaining services through Gulf hubs with adjusted routing.

Be aware that while it remains safe to transit through Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, there is an increased operational complexity that may affect schedules. Recommending longer layovers or flexible ticketing options can help mitigate the impact of missed connections. It’s also worth checking which airlines are offering waivers, flexible rebooking or refunds in response to ongoing uncertainty.

Clients may also question whether they are covered if their flights are disrupted due to conflict. While insurance can assist with delays or missed connections in some cases, most Australian travel insurance policies continue to exclude any claims related to acts of war or civil unrest. Ensuring clients understand their policy’s limitations—and encouraging them to monitor DFAT advice—is essential when booking travel involving this region.

Although aviation across the Middle East is continuing, agents should stay updated on daily developments and airline notices, particularly when planning routes that pass near or through sensitive airspace. Monitoring NOTAMs, airline advisories and Smartraveller updates will help ensure bookings remain as smooth and secure as possible under shifting conditions.

TravelTalk

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Either wanting to travel solo or more comfortable in a womens only tour here are some great options.
In the Women’s Getaway Tour average size is about 10 - 14 women per trip, and each tour description shares info on the kinds of immersive cultural experiences you will have on the tour. The itineraries are put together to encourage female travellers to explore the world and experience different cultures in active and meaningful ways. These women-only tours take you to venues where trying new activities is encouraged, and they often include opportunities for cultural exchange, cooking class, Hi-Tea, Shopping, wellness & Spa and lot of leisure time to bond with fellow Travellers.

Quick Facts about Women-Only Tours with TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS
• Average guided tour group size: 10 to 14 women.
• Includes: Travel by chartered A/C Vehicle, Deluxe 4* Accommodation, Group assistance and transfers, Meals as specified, Sightseeing as specified, Tour Leader minimum 7 People, Monuments & Entrance fees as specified, guided sightseeing, bottled water Bottled water while travelling and all current collectable taxes.
• What’s not included: pre-and post-trip transportation, alcoholic beverages, tipping, and some meals.
• Destinations: India, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Borneo.
• Knowledgeable guides: Our guides is one of the biggest benefits of joining one of our Group tours! From insights on the culture, history, customs and traditions, your guide will be able to give you the answers. Not to mention the added benefit of a locals tips and knowledge where you’re likely to come across some hidden gems.
• Safety: Being in a group will not only give you peace of mind, plus there always tends to be more safety in numbers and it’s not worth taking your safety for granted while travelling.
For more information email me:
[email protected]

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