To feel guilty about going on holiday to Jordan/Mount Sinai

Would it matter if you didn't get home work wise, some jobs it would be particularly bad if you didn't but of course you might be retired or in the kind of work that doesn't matter with this.

And @Twodogsonthecouch as a side note, we should all be checking our insurance for exclusions. Apparently it isn’t as comprehensive as we assume and the current situation could quite likely leave us exposed.

@Friendlygingercat did you say your niece and her wife are happy in UAE? I was under the impression that was a bit risky. I’d be pleased to discover otherwise…

On a side note 'Stars Valley Camp' in Wadi Rum was amazing. Would highly recomment them. Super comfy and reasonably priced accomodation and can directly book jeep tour and camel ride with them. Half day afternoon arrival jeep tour best option and overnight camp. We were actually the only ones in the camp when we stayed. Amazing place!

Having recently visited my son in Jordan and speaking to him on the phone just yesterday the Jordanians are carrying on as normal atm. Think it would be fine to still visit from a moral point of view if you feel it safe to do so. We went in October 2025 and Jordanians were very happy to see tourists and our driver actually spoke about how the lack of tourists had made it so much harder on the economy so they are very welcoming, and such a friendly nation. But my husband who was due to fly out on Monday 9th March has just made decision to cancel on safety grounds and becuase evening flights are not being allowed to fly atm so not sure he would have made it there anyway. Still not sure if we made right decision on that one but only time will tell. Sadly insurance saying wont get any money back if we cancel as 'natural disaster' not covered? Flights, I think can pick a different date, but no refund. Depends how happy you feel with the 'risk' at the time but morally I don't see a problem as you will be supporting the economy.

Personally I would feel terribly guilty about going. Not because I don't think it's important to support the local businesses, but because I'm well aware that I'd be another problem for them if something else happened. I was born in Israel but haven't been back in years now as I do not want to be someone's responsibility to solve. I don't know how it all works, I don't speak the language, I don't know how to act or what to do in a bunker and I don't have any way to help anyone if something terrible happens. I'm a liability to them. And then I become another problem to someone else if they need to get me out. So I think it is terribly irresponsible to add to their plate and if your actual goal is to support them financially, there are many other ways to do so.

(And agree it wasn't the point, but you almost certainly would void your travel insurance. As per all the people who were massively out of pocket during covid (including me), most insurers - particularly the year long sort - have a lot of clauses around terrorism and war and global pandemics.)

I think travel insurance is void in a war situation ?

I've booked Wadi Rum too. I won't bother trying to contact anyone this week or maybe even next week as they'll have their hands full but will see what happens before I cancel.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18FDGU5hHE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I'm meant to be going at the end of the month. Had the advice not changed, I would have gone.

Hoping to simply move the trip.

Same. What are you doing about your hotels etc?

For anyone planning after this. Jerash is also interesting and not far off Ajloun castle worth a visit. There is a reseve with small centre with handmade stuff and the soap and biscuits are AM azing (ajloun zip line is best to find iton google) . Jewelry as well.
Essentially soooo many interesting places from north to south.
Jordan museum is really good too. Really interactive, fun for all ages

Presuming that it's safe to go as per FO advice and common sense, the countries which are being attacked by Iran will be happy for foreign tourism income.

I so want to go and see Petra. I would hate to change my plans.

Why feel guilty? Those people will need your tourism cash more than anything. I regret not going earlier, I've been a fool seeing the Palestinian genocide whilst knowing there was a strong eventuality that the bombardment would grow to encompass the other countries in the region.

I doubt I shall get there now

She’s not said that at all. She said she has insurance but if she’s needs to cancel and her insurance won’t pay out then she’ll take the financial hit.
if you’re going to get all sneery with the OP at least get your facts right!

It may still change. We went in October 24 between israel and iran shooting at each other over them and it was absolutely fine.
Admittedly that time, therest wasn't involved.
In that 3 week situation can change 3x.

But if you can cancel or postpone now without penalty, I would do it. May be that you wouldn't be able to do so later

Unfortunately it is about all of Jordan now. Like you I was planning on going in April if Jordan was ‘FCO green’. Now it is amber so only essential travel.

If it goes green again in April we will probably still go.

The locals depend on tourism and would be happy to see you

I just want to note it was updated on the site after I pointed out the "parts" 🙈
It was green before.
Just so i don't look like illiterate bastard

Just about to say the same. It has been updated today. The whole of Jordan is now essential travel only

Sadly not. Was updated today. All but essential travel to Jordan as a whole. The fcdo website states this..

"Latest update:
FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Jordan. FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria."

Updated about 1 hour ago.

I don't think you're unreasonable to consider these things, but in a way it's a bit arbitrary. Whatever happens will happen whether you're in Jordan or in the UK, or at any point in between, so unless it's a choice between going and spending that time doing some sort of charity work for the people of Jordan, you may as well go (assuming, as you said, the FO says it's safe to do so).