publication
2026-03-05 09:50
By decision of the Ministry of Sport and Tourism issued in consultation with the Minister of Finance, travelers whose trips were canceled due to the situation in the Middle East will receive a refund of the funds paid. The Ministry has launched the Tourist Aid Fund, and applications can now be submitted electronically via the portal administered by the UFG.
The armed conflict in the Middle East affects both the situation of people stuck in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar or Oman, as well as travel agencies canceling subsequent trips. In connection with the launch Tourist Aid Fund (TFP), travelers can receive a refund of the funds paidprovided they meet the specified conditions.
How to get a refund from the Tourist Aid Fund?
The Insurance Guarantee Fund processes TFP applications and refunds. It will be possible only for tourist events (e.g. flight and accommodation jointly organized by a travel agency) offered by tourist entrepreneurs entered in the UFG register. The remaining conditions that must be met cumulativelyare as follows:
- the tourist event or stopover was to take place at territory of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, United Arab Emirates,
- the trip was about to begin between February 28 and March 28, 2026,
- the organizer accepted the payment non-cash, a the event was canceled before it started,
- the traveler notified the travel agency of withdrawal from the contract or received a message from it about termination of the contract between February 28 and March 27 this year.
The refund application must be submitted by both the traveler and the tour operator.
Refund from TFP for canceled trips to the Middle East only electronically
UFG informs that TFP refund applications in connection with canceled trips to the Middle East can only be submitted electronically via the TFP portal within 14 days of withdrawal from the contract/cancellation of the tourist event. Both the traveler and the organnizator must submit an application and have an account on the website, telephone, e-mail and personal paths are not accepted.
Applications are checked within 30 days (the period may be extended to 4 months if an investigation is needed), and the Tourist Aid Fund pays out funds within 14 days of positive verification, provided that the travel entrepreneur pays the fees when submitting his application.
Private trips without TFP reimbursement
TFP assistance does not cover trips organized individually or privatelye.g. separately booked flight and hotel. If we bought airline tickets on our own and the flight was canceled, we should contact the carrier regarding possible refund and compensation. People who have trips planned at a later date (e.g. April, May, etc.), and they want to give them upwill not receive the funds paid under the Tourist Aid Fund, therefore should contact the organizer directly.
