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TRAVEL ADVICE DOWNGRADE A WIN FOR AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS

The Australian Government has lowered its travel advice for Bahrain, Israel,
Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4 "Do Not Travel" to Level 3 "Reconsider
your need to travel." ATIA is calling it a win for Australian travellers.

The change matters most for Australians travelling through Middle Eastern hubs to reach Europe,
the United Kingdom, India, and Africa. More than 150,000 Australians have transited through the
region in the past six weeks alone.

Throughout this period, ATIA has worked constructively with the Australian Government, DFAT,
and Smartraveller to ensure travel advice reflects both the risks on the ground and the practical
realities facing Australian travellers, particularly those transiting. That work will continue.
The Level 4 advisory created real complications and confusion for travellers with brief airside
transits, especially around insurance cover. Today's downgrade removes that.
Level 3 remains a high threshold and the Government’s advice is that non-essential travel should
be avoided. Travellers should check Smartraveller.gov.au before booking and before departing,
and confirm their travel insurance covers their specific routing. DFAT continues to advise "Do Not
Travel" to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Some areas within Israel also remain
"Do Not Travel."

If you’ve had travel plans on hold or were avoiding routing through the Gulf, ATIA recommends
speaking with an ATIA-accredited travel agent or tour operator before booking. They’re across
exactly what the advisory change means, what’s covered by your insurance policy, and how to
structure your booking for the best protection. A directory of ATIA-accredited travel agents and
tour operators is available at traveltick.com.au.

QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATIA CEO DEAN LONG
"This is a sensible and welcome adjustment, and one ATIA has been seeking for some time. For
many Australians, these hubs are the connecting points that get them to the UK, Europe, India
and Africa. In seeking a travel advisory level commensurate with the reality of travel as a
transiting passenger, ATIA was looking to ensure transiting passengers had all the benefits of
travel insurance while on the ground.”

“Additionally, with 150,000 Australians having safely travelled through those hubs, we wanted to
ensure consumer confidence in Smartraveller’s advice remains optimum – travellers were telling
our members that the “do not travel” advice for passing through just didn’t seem to hit the right
balance.”

"Smartraveller is a vital resource and it is important that the advice it carries remains
proportionate and current. The Smartraveller program was not designed for a limited conflict at
key international hubs. We acknowledge that these decisions are always difficult to get right.
Today’s decision strikes the right balance between the security advice and ensuring travellers
can have sufficient and comprehensive insurance protection as they travel through.”

"The best thing any traveller can do right now is speak with an ATIA Accredited travel agent or
tour operator before they book. They will make sure your routing, your cover, and your
documentation are right before you reach the airport."