Qatar is at the lowest alert level for travellers again, after the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) downgraded its travel advice for the Persian Gulf nation.
“We’ve lowered our overall travel advice level. We now advise exercise normal safety precautions [level one] in Qatar,” DFAT stated in an early August update on Smartraveller.
In mid-June, the federal government raised its travel alert level for the popular stopover destination to “Exercise a high degree of caution” (level two) due to “ongoing hostilities in the region”. Heightened tensions in the Middle East at the time saw Iran launch a missile attack on US military bases in Qatar.
With the update, Qatar joins Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, as the only two Middle Eastern nations at the lowest overall travel advice level.
Oman’s travel warning level was also raised to level two during the most recent hostilities; however DFAT lowered its travel advice for Oman to level one in early July after reassessing the situation in the Gulf nation.
Despite its level one advice, the Smartraveller website continues to warn Aussies that “the security situation in the Middle East is unpredictable”.
“If the regional security situation deteriorates again, this may result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and other travel disruptions at short notice,” it states.
“Several terrorist attacks have happened in the wider Gulf region in recent years. Terrorists may target tourist areas and attractions. More attacks could occur. If there’s a security incident, follow the advice of local authorities.”
Qatar, especially Doha, is becoming a top stopover pick for Aussies heading to Europe, rivalling Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The growth is driven largely by Qatar Airways’ stronger presence in Australia, recently boosted by its partnership with Virgin Australia.
Tourism authorities have also stepped up efforts, offering free stopover deals and affordable hotel stays to attract more Aussie travellers.
