The Importance of Travel Warnings

[ad343]

Travel warnings are extremely important and should be followed. Many governments issue them to warn its citizens about the hazards of visiting a country. For example, in the United States the State Department is responsible for publishing these warnings.

What amazes me is the number of travelers who either never read them or after reading them, simply choose to ignore them. An important part of traveling is planning. This means learning about the location you are about to visit. Be an informed traveler.

Many people think they have an idea of the current situation in a country; however, few understand the reality because they fail to properly research the location they intend to visit.

Other travelers read these travel warnings but continue with their travel plans and visit the country regardless. These travelers are naïve and are placing themselves in danger. They believe one of the many travel safety myths that nothing will happen to me. There is no reason to place yourself into a bad situation when you know the facts.

I suggest that travelers educate themselves about the crime situation in the country they intend to visit. Research government websites and learn about the location. Government employees work hard to keep their citizens safe while abroad. If the information warns you about the country, don’t ignore the warnings. Travel warnings are issued for good reason. You should heed this information because it may save your life one day.
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Al

[Red Tape]

I recently read a travel section article in the paper about these travel warnings, whether they are issued by the State Department, the Home office or the Foreign Office of another country. The story looked at travel warnings for one particular area as issued by the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia and (I think) Germany.

The amount of information in the warnings varied by issuing nation. In one example in the story the amount of detail in the Canada and UK bulletins were greater than those issued by the state department. The information on protests in two countries (Bolivia and Thailand) were more detailed, specifying which part of the country activities were ongoing. It then provided links to several countries' travel warnings.

It never hurts to supplement what your government says with what the governments of other countries may be warning about. Some of the concerns may not be applicable to you, but there may be greater detail available.
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[Sparky]

[paul]

Yes, I agree that's a good point. I usually go to the FCO site first for this kind of thing, and then cross-check with the US State Dept info. I guess I could be looking at more still. Do any of you here do this? If so, which ones do you tend to use?
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[johnny_mac]

travel warnings are important because if you ignore it, you'll be a total mess
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[carrental8france]

Hello everyone,

Yeah, I absolutely agree with ad343.. He had posted very good thoughts about traveling warnings.. Everybody should read it once before travel to any location.. Ultimately it would be beneficial to us only if we know the things in advance..!!
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[GuX]

It is always better to know about any warnings issued by the state department or any other official department of your country that usually issued when other countries political/security situations are not up the standards. It saves you and your family from any mishaps. So read and listen what warnings issued, as your life is most precious for your family and love ones.
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[jonnyx]

Warnings issued by the state department is of course reliable but can sometimes be to slow. I am Swedish and when it went bad in Egypt the Swedish foreign department sent the warnings several days after the Spanish government started to evacuate.
I think the best is to also check the International news and if possible the local news as well .

Best regards from a Sunny Spain,

[muminka]

Hi all,
I booked my holiday to Egypt in January to go in April for 2 week sightseeing and staying at the hotel in Hurghada. And few day later the revolution started and although I was not happy about it at first, I think I might go somewhere else now. What you guys think about it? What would you do?

[jonnyx]

[mktv123]

For travel anywhere, planning is must and proper care is also taken for your luggage and of your own.

[jonnyx]

[GuillaumeS]

I have experienced that travel warnings are not always correct.

I live in Kenya, and have there was a travel warning on TripAdvisor issued by the US. However it was totally nonsense and not really reflecting the reality and there were a lot of complaints from local tour companies because it had an impact on tourism. The people living here (and the tourists) felt absolutely safe.

Lesson fr me: Sometimes it´s good to get a second opinion from a local.