Next hot travel destination? It could be Iran
British tourists could be returning to Iran after the UK Government announced plans to re-open the British Embassy in the capital Tehran.
It has been tough to sell the destination ever since the Embassy closed in 2011 when diplomatic ties with Iran were severed and the Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to the country.
The FCO continues to advise against travel to Iran, but this could change if and when the Embassy re-opens as it will provide Britons with advice and support on the ground.
If the FCO then lifts travel restrictions, it will make it easier for visitors to obtain travel insurance. At the moment, it is difficult to find as insurers are usually unwilling to cover visitors to countries against which the government advises travel.
Jonny Bealby, whose company Wild Frontiers has been offering trips to Iran for 10 years against the FCO advice, told the Telegraph: "It would be great news for visitors to Iran, and the Iranians themselves, who have suffered terribly through years of sanctions."
He also said that he hoped Britain’s reopening of its embassy in the Iranian capital would encourage the Iranians to reciprocate. The lack of an Iranian embassy in London means that tourists must go to Dublin, Paris or further afield to obtain their visas.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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