Attention holidaymakers! Travel warnings issued for seven Mediterranean countries

Attention holidaymakers! Travel warnings issued for seven Mediterranean countries

The Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning for travel to seven Mediterranean countries. This warning particularly affects popular holiday destinations such as Greece, Italy, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Libya. The dangers that await travelers there are varied and require particular caution, both in terms of weather conditions and safety aspects. Loud Mercury Travelers are advised to obtain comprehensive information in advance and take precautionary measures.

In Greece, for example, it is indicated that heat periods with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius can be expected in the summer months. Travelers should therefore avoid being in the blazing sun and frequenting crowded areas. Babies, children, seniors and people with chronic illnesses are particularly at risk. The Foreign Office's recommendation also includes wearing light, light-colored clothing, drinking enough water and taking sun protection and a charged cell phone with a power bank.

Weather hazards in Italy and other countries

Italy is suffering from acute water shortages and drought, particularly in central and southern Italy. Travel warnings encourage holidaymakers to find out about the situation on the ISPRA website, while current weather warnings can be viewed on MeteoAlarm. Countries such as Egypt, Israel and Lebanon are also in focus due to specific threats. German citizens who are in these regions are asked to leave there immediately. In Egypt, you should warn against traveling to the north of the Sinai Peninsula and unaccompanied trips to the south of the peninsula. The situation in Israel is similarly critical, where traveling to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank is extremely risky.

Travelers should exercise caution in Lebanon, especially in the south and border areas with Syria. The security situation may be destabilized by terrorist attacks and unrest in these areas. There are also travel warnings for Syria and Libya due to specific dangers. German citizens in Libya should ask the embassy for support, but this is limited.

Heat waves and their impact on summer 2024

In addition to current safety concerns, summer weather conditions in Europe will also be highlighted. Loud Travel reporter Last summer, heat-related extreme events such as forest fires and droughts were observed in Mediterranean countries, leading to evacuations of holidaymakers. For example, in July 2023, around 20,000 people had to be evacuated due to forest fires on Rhodes. Looking ahead, researchers expect these extreme weather events to increase, creating new challenges for the vacation industry.

Average surface temperatures have already increased due to human influence, increasing the risk of heatwaves. Scientific study predicts days with dangerous heat in Europe could more than double by 2050. Holidaymakers should therefore prepare for these climatic changes. Travel providers are therefore increasingly relying on prevention and evacuation concepts in order to meet holidaymakers' requests.

Although interest in northern countries is increasing, the concept of popular travel destinations such as Spain, Greece and Turkey remains unchanged. Tour operators are adapting their offers to the new circumstances and extending the season until November in order to meet the wishes of holidaymakers. However, those interested in traveling should always keep an eye on the current security situation and the climatic forecasts in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.