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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
July 26th - A note of caution for the Foreign Office's response to this summer's wildfires
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Unusually today, I am playing the part of the Foreign Office – to justify the wise decision not to warn against travel to Rhodes and other parts of the Mediterranean despite the wildfires that are blazing. To do so would allow people booked to travel to cancel without penalty – but it would also mean holidaymakers who are enjoying trips would need to be flown home (and would cost the travel industry a fortune). During the Covid pandemic, the Foreign Office consular advice became a laughing stock, and it has to repair the damage. Making sweeping announcements to avoid certain destinations would be another step in the wrong direction.
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