Intrepid keeps Jordan tours on track despite Canada's higher travel advisory

Intrepid Travel says it will continue operating its tours in Jordan as scheduled, even after the Government of Canada raised its travel advisory for the destination to an Orange (Level 3) advisory, recommending that Canadians avoid non-essential travel.

The company's decision comes just days after Global Affairs Canada increased its advisory for Jordan (as as well for the United Arab Emirates, amid renewed instability in the Middle East.

The heightened warning follows a brief period of optimism, during which several adventure tour operators, including G Adventures and Exodus Adventure Travels, announced they were resuming operations in the destination after earlier disruptions.

Despite the change, Intrepid, on Monday (July 20), said there are no plans (yet) to suspend its Jordan program.

“Safety remains Intrepid's top priority,” the company said in a statement to PAX, “and it is monitoring official advice across its key source markets closely.

“Intrepid trips continue to operate trips in Jordan while closely monitoring the security situation and working closely with its local operations teams on the ground.”

Additionally, there has been no change in travel advice levels for Egypt and Intrepid trips continue to operate as scheduled there.

Intrepid said it continually reviews its itineraries using a combination of government travel advisories and real-time intelligence from its local operations teams.

It said it is actively assessing itineraries across the region and will make adjustments if conditions warrant.

Egypt and Jordan are among Intrepid’s most popular destinations year to date, performing strongly since operations resumed in April following a brief pause, the compay said.

The operator also noted that it bases operational decisions on travel advisories issued by governments in its key source markets.

“As official advice may differ depending on market, travellers should consult their own local foreign travel advisory when considering whether travel to a destination is permitted or appropriate for them,” said Intrepid.

PAX has reached out to G Adventures and Exodus to see if they have made any changes to their Jordan operations but did not receive a response by press time.

Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!  Click here to follow PAX on Facebook.