TRAVEL ADVISORY AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

A travel advisory is an official warning issued by government agencies, such as the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India or the U.S. Department of State, informing their country’s travelers about safety risks and recommended precautions for specific destinations.

It aims to inform travelers about safety and security conditions in foreign destinations. For more localized travel advisories, one can refer to resources like the DHS Travel Advisory Map, which provides current travel status for specific counties. 

 

Purpose of Travel Advisories

Travel advisories are designed to help travelers make informed decisions about their travel plans. They provide essential information regarding potential risks, including:

• Crime and Terrorism: Advisories may highlight areas with high crime rates or threats of   terrorism.
• Natural Disasters: Information about regions prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, is included.
• Health Risks: Advisories may warn about disease outbreaks or health- related issues in certain areas.
• Civil Unrest: Travelers are informed about political instability or protests that could affect their  safety.

 

Levels of Travel Advisories

The travel advisories are categorized into four levels, depending upon the degree of risk associated with traveling to a particular country or region:

Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest level of risk, advising travelers to   remain aware of their surroundings

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution: Travelers should be more vigilant due to heightened risks.

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: There are significant risks, and travelers are advised to think very carefully about their plans.

Level 4 –  Do Not Travel: This indicates a high risk of life to the traveler  and they are strongly discouraged from going to the area

 

In the past few years, Government of India has issued travel advisories for Indians with respect to Venezuela, Iran, Nepal, Syria, Libya, Bangladesh, Israel, Cambordia (for employment}, Myanmar, Niger, Iraq, Yemen, Canada, and Pakistan.

Not all parts of a country are freely accessible for foreigners. Indians and Pakistanis are issued city specific visas, valid for only those mentioned cities and are not allowed to enter the cantonment areas of each other’s countries. Overseas guests in India are advised by their own government to avoid certain areas like Jammu & Kashmir, Indo-Pakistan land border, Manipur, Maoist hinterland in Central India and Arunachal Pradesh. At times Nagaland, and Tripura too are on their prohibition list.

Countries of the world often issue ‘country summary’ for various countries which their citizens would like to visit. Such advisories are often not very kind to these countries, but these countries do not like to risk the life of their citizens. While there are advisories for all countries, but the Level designated matters, because that decides the level of confidence travellers have about their safety. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Switzwrland, France, Italy enjoy very high tourist confidence and so are filled with tourists throughout the year. India unfortunately is designated Level 2 by the U.S State Department. No wonder despie having such rich history and heritage, such varied geography and climate and such vibrant culture and customs, we fail to attract tourists less than Singapore.

The travel advisory country summary for India, issued by the U.S. government is particularly harsh. It says:

• Violent crime and terrorism occur in India.
• Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India.
• Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations.
• Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target

o   tourist locations

o   transportation hubs

o   markets/shopping malls

o   government facilities

·   The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these areas.

·         If you decide to travel to India:

o   Do not bring a satellite phone or GPS device. Possessing a satellite phone or GPS device is illegal in India and may result in a penalty of $200,000 or jail time of up to three years.

o   Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman. Read travel tips at Women Travelers .

o   Review your personal security plans and stay alert to your surroundings.

o   Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  (STEP ) to get alerts and make it easier for us to find you in an emergency.

o   Review the India Country Security Report  from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)

o   Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

o   Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information  related to your travel and return to the United States.

The Australian Scenario

Most Australian travellers are aware of their government’s Smart Traveller advice that sorts nations into the same four categories. Australia, in turn, cops a whole variety of advisory cautions. A positive common thread is that, as France puts it, “Australia is not a country with a significant security risk.” Still, every government says that terrorism is a real concern and that their citizens should be alert to petty crime, vehicle break-ins and drink spiking, all described as common. The US warns its citizens about Australia’s “narrow” roads that have just two lanes. Some additions are unexpected, such as Canada’s warning that “tour operators may not meet Canadian safety standards” or the United Kingdom’s that “some drinks served in bars in Australia can be stronger than those in the UK”. France advises against hitchhiking and tells visitors not to think of distances in European terms. Everyone warns, too, about the dangers of swimming, outback travel, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, and our fierce and poisonous wildlife. “The continent and its waters host animals that merit awe and respect in equal doses,” says the United States. The wildlife is “fascinating yet dangerous”, adds New Zealand. Bushfires, floods and extreme weather get extensive coverage. “Sudden storms and strong winds can make driving difficult,” adds the UK. Ireland and France are wary of sunburn.

You can detect national preoccupations and strengths. The UK, ironically, has a long section about our horrendous weather. The US is dismayed at highways only two lanes wide and “roads and streets … frequently narrower and less graded than US highways”. France complains about railways, which it describes as “little developed … and neither fast nor good value”.

Some governments give polite advice on social norms. China suggests visitors split restaurant bills, maintain a proper distance while queueing, bring beer to barbecues and avoid arguing. “Regardless of wealth or status, locals treat everyone equally and typically address people by their names, using ‘mate’ rather than honorifics,” China says. “They are generally open and direct, and enjoy a humorous and self-deprecating tone. ‘No worries’ is a common expression.”

Japan too, is struck by our “egalitarianism, known as mateship ... It is important to note that the Australian people have a strong sense of classlessness and social equality”. Japan is, however, agitated about theft, with a lengthy section of its travel advisory telling travellers to lock and chain their hotel doors and never leave bags unattended on beaches, golf courses and buses. “Avoid parking on the street whenever possible, even in places with parking meters” and use secure parking instead. “Australia is often thought of as a relatively safe country but, compared to Japan, there is a lot of general crime,” it sighs.

China in contrast devotes its longest travel advisory section to financial and internet scams including “romantic dating scams” that lure the lonely into handing over personal information or payment. The Chinese are also concerned about domestic violence, murder, robbery, sexual assault, illegal weapons, vehicle theft and “bar fights”.

The US concurs with China on most points, including the potential for “bar brawls” and the prevalence of “internet romance and financial scams”.

Ireland on the other hand, although it finds the risk of terrorism “probable”, calls crime levels “relatively low” except in certain (undefined) “party areas” of Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Ireland finds its own citizens part of the problem: “A significant number of Irish nationals … come before the Australian courts each year,” it laments. It cites road accidents as the leading cause of death and injury for Irish visitors in Australia. 

Germany warns of potential assaults in Alice Springs, the Gold Coast, Cairns and Sydney’s Kings Cross but is otherwise pleasant, issuing only genteel warnings about snakes, credit-card fraud, “unusual emails” and theft from backpacker accommodation. 

Many countries have little concern. India offers no advice, saving its ire for places such as Iraq, Myanmar and Haiti, plus of late, Canada, because of Sikh separatists demanding Khalistan. 

And while you’d think super-safe Singapore might have Japanese anxiety levels about crime, its travel advice is short and laid back, with tut-tutting saved mainly for vehicle break-ins in Western Australia.

 

The Cricket playing countries have a lot of fan travel in between them despite these travel advisories, but reputation matters and Pakistan suffers maximally because of ongoing home grown terrorism and unstable democracy. South Africa too suffers because of crime, mugging, kidnapping and terrorism. Visitors are advised not to go out for a strol or use public transport for the fear of getting robbed.

Israeli and U.S. citizens are advised to travel with extreme caution in Muslim countries. Canada warns its LGBTQ travellers to be cautious while visiting certain cities in the U.S. The war zones in the Gulf and Europe are a tinder box, avoided by all travellers.

For tourism to prosper the safety of the tourists is paramount, and travel advisories are all about keeping the tourists safe. A country has to be friendly, safe, and welcoming for its tourism industry to boom. Countries inflicted by social unrest and terrorism are losing out big time.