Hong Kong travel agencies suspend Middle East tours over safety concerns

Hong Kong travel agencies have suspended all tours to the Middle East this month, including those requiring flight transfers through the region, citing safety concerns amid the ongoing war.The announcement was issued on Monday evening, after renewed Iranian drone strikes targeted Dubai International Airport and other infrastructure in the Emirates" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="413" data-entity-type="location">United Arab Emirates, in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks which began in late February.Wing On Travel said it had cancelled all tour groups scheduled to depart for the Middle East on flights operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways up to March 31.It also suspended tours requiring flight transfers in the region for the same period, citing the “uncertain situation in the Middle East” and “the safety and reassurance of customers”.“We will contact and notify the affected customers gradually. For tours scheduled to depart on and after April 1, we appreciate your patience while we finalise the arrangements,” the agency said in a social media post.Miramar Travel also cancelled its tours scheduled this month that included transfers in the region on Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways flights.