International Travel News

News Watch

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 18

Watching Mali

The US Department of State warns against all travel to Mali because of ongoing conflict in northern Mali, fluid political conditions and continuing threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners.

While the security situation in Bamako remains relatively stable, there are ongoing security concerns and military operations taking place in the northern and western parts of the country. There are still food shortages, internally displaced persons and, in northern Mali, extremist and...

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 18

Threats on Kenya

The US government continues to receive information about potential terrorist threats aimed at Western and Kenyan interests, both civilian and government targets, in Kenya. The levels of risk vary across the country.

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 18

Stay alert in Saudi Arabia

The US Department of State says there remains an ongoing security threat in Saudi Arabia due to the continued presence of terrorist groups, who may target shopping areas and other facilities where Westerners congregate as well as Saudi government facilities and economic/commercial targets. Visitors should select hotels or housing compounds with security measures in place that meet their needs.

US citizens are advised to keep a low profile, vary times and routes of travel and exercise...

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 18

South Philippines caution

The Department of State warns of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago and the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

Throughout Mindanao, criminal groups have clashed sporadically with the Philippine Armed Forces, particularly in rural areas, and terrorist groups have kidnapped international travelers and carried out bombings that have resulted in injuries and deaths.

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 18

Myanmar tourism up

The number of visitors to Myanmar reached over one million in 2012 and is expected to double in 2013. Government reforms, investment in tourism infrastructure and the lifting of the European Union sanctions on trade in March 2013 are encouraging more travelers to visit.

However, human rights groups are still concerned over whether funds from tourism benefit local people rather than subsidize the government. There has also been ongoing ethnic and religious violence within the...

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 68

Drug-war strife in Mexico

The US Department of State points out that millions of people safely visit Mexico each year. Nevertheless, the Mexican government has been engaged in an extensive effort to counter Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) which engage in narcotics trafficking throughout Mexico, and the TCOs, among themselves, are engaged in a violent struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity. Gun battles between rival TCOs or with Mexican authorities have taken place in towns...

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 69

Train wreck in Spain

In northwestern Spain, the derailment and crash of a passenger train near Santiago de Compostela on July 24 killed 78 people and hospitalized more than 60. The driver admitted that the train was running far faster than the speed limit for that section of track.

This is Spain’s worst train disaster in decades. Spain’s rail safety record has been somewhat better than the European average.

September 2013 issue | Appears on page 69

Asiana Air crash

On July 6, after an 11-hour flight from Seoul, South Korea, Asiana Airlines flight 214 crashed at the San Francisco International Airport (SF0) as it was landing. Of the 291 passengers and 16 crew, two passengers died on the scene, another died nearly a week later and about 180 people were injured.

The plane came in too low and too slowly, and the landing gear and tail section of the Boeing 777 plane were broken off on a seawall on the approach. Passengers exited and were evacuated...