Security issues

Mexico: In-Depth Travel Warning ahead of Spring Break

Date: February 15th, 2012 |

As spring break looms on the horizon for many college campuses in the U.S., the State Department has issued an in-depth travel warning for Mexico, a popular spot for American college students. While the warning concedes that the Mexican government takes extra precautions to protect tourists and that resort areas have not typically seen the [read more]

Mexico: Violence Spreading

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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Drug violence that has largely been contained to the border regions is beginning to spread to places once thought safe from the infamous carnage. Two weeks ago, a pair of headless bodies were found in a burning minivan in front of one of Mexico City’s largest and most expensive shopping malls. Guadalajara and Veracruz—thought safe [read more]

Philippines: Government says Country Safe for Tourists

Date: January 11th, 2012 |

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Despite a recent travel warning from the U.S. State Department, the Philippine government insists that the country is safe for tourists. In fact, the travel warning was released on the same day that the Philippine Department of Tourism revealed its new slogan: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that [read more]

Nigeria: Christmas Bombing Sparks Fear of Religious War

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram, which is suspected of having ties to al-Qaeda, has claimed a series of Christmas day bombings that left more than 30 people dead as Christian leaders warn of escalating violence and the possibility of religious war. Nigeria is divided roughly along religious lines, with the north being predominantly Muslim [read more]

Korean Peninsula: Kim Jong Il’s Death Leaves Region on Edge

Date: December 17th, 2011 |

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The death of North Korea’s enigmatic leader, Kim Jong Il, leaves in his place his youngest son, Kim Jong Un, a fair amount of uncertainty and a peninsula on high alert. As North Koreans adjust to their leader’s death, the South Korean government has put its military on high alert while simultaneously instructing citizens to [read more]

Bahrain: Travel Alert about Violent Demonstrations

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert about the ongoing possibility for violent demonstrations throughout Bahrain. In recent months, all travelers have faced increased scrutiny trying to get into the country and Bahraini officials have denied entry to some U.S. citizens. Traveling within the country can become dangerous without notice, as clashes between security [read more]

Worldwide: Guests Advised to Purchase Trip Insurance

Date: January 25th, 2012 |

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January is one of the busier months for cruise enthusiasts, but this season travel agents have been fielding more questions regarding safety and liability in light of the recent Costa Concordia tragedy. Statistically speaking, cruising is one of the safest forms of travel, but cruise lines take no chances in terms of liability. Under most [read more]

Mexico: U.S. Citizens Killed in Veracruz

Date: December 28th, 2011 |

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On Dec. 22, three U.S. citizens were killed on a bus while traveling for the holidays. According to a U.S. State Department official, gunmen attacked several buses traveling through the eastern state of Veracruz. The state was once a major oil export hub, but has since turned into a microcosm of Mexico’s larger drug-related woes. [read more]

Cote d’Ivoire: Travel Warning due to Civil Unrest

Date: December 17th, 2011 |

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The U.S. State Department issued a travel warning citing the potential for civil unrest because several months of demonstrations have raised security concerns. Although the situation has recently stabilized, the Embassy continues to operate as a partially unaccompanied post, meaning minor dependents of Embassy workers are not permitted to travel with family members to or [read more]

Philippines: Deadly Flash Floods Kill Hundreds, Leave Region in Disrepair

Date: December 17th, 2011 |

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Flash floods in the southern Philippines killed at least 500 people and left thousands stranded. Washi, the tropical storm that set off the floods, hit the region Dec. 16. The storm was the 19th to hit the country this year, a stark reminder of the South Pacific’s unpredictable weather patterns during cyclone season, which runs [read more]

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