The latest advisory, published at lunchtime on Thursday (18 June), warns holidaymakers that the situation "remains unpredictable and attacks could resume at short notice".

However it adds that the FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The move also covers other destinations in the region, including Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 

The advice against non-essential travel to the UAE and Qatar has been in place since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on 28 February – exactly 110 days ago – and has not only prevented tourism to the region, but also transit through the region to the Far East, Indian Ocean and Australasia.

"This is the most important development for tourism to and through the Middle East in some time," said Abta Chief Executive Mark Tanzer, although he cautioned: "It remains to be seen how quickly a change in FCDO advice will translate into new bookings."

The guidance has been heavily criticised by travel agents, airlines and tour operators in recent weeks; Advantage Travel Partnership Chief Executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said the situation had highlighted "a flaw" in the systems that govern travel.

Under the Package Travel Regulations (PTRs), tour operators and travel agents must make decisions within a framework heavily influenced by government advice and insurance implications.

Julia Lo-Bue Said, Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive, argued the industry needs "a clearer and more nuanced framework for managing risk" as geopolitical instability seemingly increases. 

Earlier this month, British Airways confirmed some of its Middle East flights will remain suspended throughout the summer season. Services to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Jeddah and Riyadh remain either “cancelled or temporarily suspended”, BA said.

'This feels like the green light'

Lo Bue-Said was one of the first suppliers to welcome the news. "We recognise the importance of keeping travel advice under constant review," she said. "At the same time, this episode has exposed a flaw in the current system.

"Destinations can be swept up in regional events and suffer serious economic damage while remaining entirely safe and fully operational. Traveller safety must always come first, but there is a strong case for a more nuanced and agile approach that better reflects conditions on the ground and can respond more quickly once risks subside."

Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid Travel Managing Director EMEA, described it as a "really positive step for British travellers and the industry".

"It removes a significant barrier and unlocks travel not only to the Gulf states, but also for those transiting through key hubs to Asia, Africa and Australia," she said. "This will open up more flight options and hopefully help bring prices down, making travel more accessible as we head into the summer holidays.

"It should also give people more confidence to plan their trips, and for many hoping to travel long-haul, this will feel like the green light they’ve been waiting for."

Bencheikh added: "It’s been a difficult time for communities, our local teams and suppliers across the region, and we hope the peace deal signed today and the relaxing of the FCDO advice signal the start of a more stable period ahead.”

'We're not out of the woods yet'

Andy Freeth, Chief Executive of Specialist Holidays Group, said the decision was the news the company – and the industry – has been waiting for.

"Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the wider Emirates have always been among the most in-demand destinations for British travellers, and this restores one of the most important and well-connected gateways in global travel," he said.

"For consumers, it means certainty – confidence to book, confidence to travel, and confidence that one of the world's great connected hubs is open again. For our industry, it's a vital and welcome step back towards normality."

Abta's Tanzer added: “We have been meeting with the FCDO on a regular basis to discuss the crisis and impact on travel, and we know the government won’t have taken this decision lightly.

"The FCDO advice is an important tool for both businesses and the public, and – although the previous 'all but essential travel' guidance included transit – there was some confusion in the trade about the scope of the guidance and so this move brings more clarity for the sector.

"It should be remembered that guidance has not been changed for every country in the region, and that the FCDO says the situation remains unpredictable; that means we’re not out of the woods yet, but for now, this will be welcome news for many in travel."