Update: Intrepid, G Adventures & Globus suspend Middle Eastern itineraries

As Israel and the United States launched a new wave of attacks on Iran on Tuesday (March 2)—prompting retaliation from Tehran—tour operators swiftly reversed course on plans to continue running itineraries in the Middle East. 

Due to the “rapidly evolving situation,” Intrepid updated its travel outlook on Tuesday (March 3), cancelling all departures to Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia from March 4 up to and including March 31, 2026.

Intrepid, one day earlier, told PAX that it would continue to run tours in those regions. Its latest update reflects the volatility of the military situation in the Middle East, which has led to widespread airspace closures and travel warnings from various governments, including Canada’s.

Intrepid says that all affected customers will be contacted by email.

Customers booked to depart from April 1, 2026 onwards who wish to cancel their trip to Egypt, Jordan, Oman or Saudi Arabia are advised to get in touch with their booking agent to discuss options.

As for an on-the-ground update, Intrepid says all of its travellers currently in the Middle East are “safe and accounted for.”

“We are currently monitoring the situation in destination as well as foreign travel advice and any changes will be communicated directly to travellers by their tour leaders on the ground,” the company said.

It also notes that U.S. travellers who wish to depart their trips immediately will be assisted to do so. This comes after the U.S. Department of State, on March 3, advised all U.S. citizens to depart the Middle East immediately.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is urging Canadians to avoid all travel to 10 countries, with the agency saying more than 85,000 Canadians and permanent residents are currently registered as being in the in the region.

Canadians are advised to avoid all travel to Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, and being cautioned to avoid non-essential travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

G Adventures pauses Jordan

G Adventures has also shared updates, and made some decisions, in the past 24 hours.

In a statement shared with PAX on Tuesday (March 2), the tour operator confirmed that all of its travellers and staff in the Middle East are safe.

"While we do not operate trips in several of the most affected areas, including Iran, Israel, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, we have been monitoring the situation in Jordan closely," the company wrote PAX in an email.

G, however, confirmed that it will suspend all trip departures in Jordan scheduled to depart between March 3 and March 15, 2026.

The decision was made even as G’s local teams report “a calm environment,” with operations running smoothly.

But “the combination of persistent flight disruptions and elevated travel advisories has significantly impacted traveller insurance coverage,” G wrote.

Jordan, for one, announced a partial closure of its airspace on Tuesday. However, local reports suggest that the restriction has been lifted.

Any G trips already operating on the ground in Jordan will continue to run as scheduled, said the company, which shares a close connection with Jordan, hosting its annual GX community tourism summit there last fall. 

"We are working with travellers to support them should they wish to cancel and depart Jordan early," G's statement reads.

The tour operator is advising all travellers currently on the ground to register their presence with their respective embassies to receive official security updates as well as to contact their airline to verify the status of their onward flights.

"The safety of our travellers is always our top priority and our local team is monitoring the situation closely should any adjustments to itineraries on the ground be necessary," wrote G.

Globus cancels Dubai, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan

Globus family of brands also updated PAX late Tuesday, saying it has made a "proactive decision" to cancel March departures to Dubai, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan "out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with guidance from global authorities."

"The safety and well-being of our guests and team members is always our highest priority," the company said. "Travellers and their travel advisors on affected departures are being contacted directly and personally.”

Globus said its guests will be offered flexible options, including the opportunity to rebook to a future departure or receive a full refund.

The company also recognized broader delays and disruptions that may impact guests traveling to or from other regions, including Australia and New Zealand. 

"Our on-the-ground teams and operations staff are actively supporting affected travellers and working to minimize inconvenience wherever possible," said Globus.

Guests with questions are encouraged to contact their travel advisor or the company’s Guest Services team for assistance.

Cancellations at Collette

The updates add to other tour disruptions that PAX previously reported.

Collette, for instance, is also cancelling some upcoming departures in the Middle East.

In a statement to PAX, Jeff Roy, EVP and chief revenue officer at Collette, said the company doesn’t have any travellers in the region at this time.

Collette will, however, be cancelling all departures on the following itineraries for departures through March 21, 2026: 

• Dubai Extension on all Tour Series
• Jordan Extension on all Tour Series
• Journey Through Egypt & Jordan

“We will continue to monitor the situation and should changes or cancellations be necessary, we will do so,” Roy said.

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