THE UK Foreign Office is NOT so far putting Egypt and Turkey on its list of "no-go" countries following the recent terrorist attacks.

Both destinations are popular with Northern Ireland travellers, but the Foreign Office advice, while not giving out a general "stay away" notice, is warning that there is a high risk of terrorism in both countries. Five people were killed in the popular resort of Kusadasi in Turkey and 88 in Egypt's top Sinai Peninsula resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, but the Foreign Office has not changed its level of warning to UK travellers. According to the FO website: "The advice on travel to Egypt and Turkey has been reviewed and the Summary and Safety and Security (Terrorism) sections have been re-issued."

However, the overall level of the advice has not changed.The Foreign Office says there is a "high threat" of terrorism in Egypt and details a number of attacks in the past few years. "We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling," it says.

Like Egypt, the Foreign Office says there is here is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey.

On July 16, an explosion on a minibus in the western Turkish resort of Kusadasi killed five people including one British and one Irish national; five British nationals were also injured. On July 11, an explosion in the coastal resort of Cesme, western Turkey, injured 20 people including a British national. Further attacks in tourist areas could well occur.

With the Foreign Office stopping short of putting both countries on a no-go list for UK travellers, many intending travellers are expected to go ahead with holidays already booked. In some cases, tour operators may be willing to respond to their clients' requests for an alternative holiday in another country.However, the terrorist outrages are likely to have a big effect on Northern Ireland travellers making new bookings to either destination for the rest of the current season.

Meanwhile, the second round of terrorist activity in London has further affected the weekend break market from the Province to the capital. But any reticence about Northern Ireland travellers going to London is likely to be shortlived.

The Province's travellers are among the most resilient in the world, largely due to their experiences over the last 30 years, and bookings are likely to take an upturn again in a matter of months or even weeks.