ATIA demands ‘commonsense’ from Smartraveller

The Australian Travel Industry Association is taking on the Australian Government’s Smartraveller with a “Campaign for Commonsense”.

And the aim is to change what it calls the “rigid” Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for transit through the Middle East.

It wants this reduced to Level 3.

Travel agents and tour operators have reported that their clients are transiting through major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha without incident.

But the government’s Do Not Travel blanket advisory means their travel insurance is void.

The official line from ATIA is that it is a “staunch supporter of DFAT and the Smartraveller network”.

But a spokesperson adds: “Maintaining an advisory disconnected from the reality on the ground is actively eroding public trust, with returning Australians telling family and friends to ignore official advice.”

+ Should you fly through the Middle East right now? Our firsthand report from Marco Ferrarese.

thewest.com.au/travel/shall-i-fly-through-the-middle-east-right-now-c-22305955