Travel Update-Weekly Edition

January 3rd, 2008

Airline News

 

 

 

Hotel News

 

London West Hollywood Hotel - L.A.'s former Bel Age Hotel, perched above the Sunset Strip, will reopen in April as the London West Hollywood. Owner LXR Luxury Resorts describes the completely redone California hotel as "a unique fusion of Anglo-European attitude with iconic Hollywood style," and says the property will offer "a luxury experience filled with both functional and sensory elements." The 223 guest suites will be redecorated with custom furnishings and details such as embossed leather, velvet upholstery, bleached oak, hand-cut mosaic tiles, fine Italian linens and high-tech amenities. The hotel will have a rooftop pool and spa and a signature restaurant by chef Gordon Ramsay.

 

 

 

Miscellaneous

Bangladesh - On December 27 the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka issued the following Warden Message: "The Government of Bangladesh has further increased its security presence within the Diplomatic Enclave and throughout Dhaka in the past few days. In light of this measure, the U.S. Embassy has reviewed its security posture and would like to remind all American citizens to maintain a low profile during the holidays and to always be aware of your surroundings, especially in venues where large crowds may gather (hotels, restaurants, churches, mosques, shopping centers, etc). Please be sure to keep your charged cell phone with you at all times and call the police if you observe anything suspicious."

 

Iran - On January 3 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may encounter difficulty in departing Iran. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran issued May 31, 2007. "Some elements of the Iranian regime and the population remain hostile to the United States. As a result, American citizens may be subject to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in Iran. Recently, Iranian authorities prevented a number of Iranian-American citizen academics, journalists, and others who traveled to Iran for personal reasons from leaving for several months, and in some cases detained and imprisoned them on various charges, including espionage and posing a threat to national security. Americans of Iranian origin should consider the risk of being targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran. Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens. "The Iranian regime continues to repress its minority religious and ethnic groups, including Bahai, Arabs, Kurds, Azeris, and others. Consequently, some areas within the country where these minorities reside, including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe. Armed attacks on the road between Bam and Kerman in May 2007 also render this area unsafe. "Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several years as a result of a sometimes volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who travel to Iran despite this Travel Warning should exercise caution. "The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and prosecution."

 

Kenya - On December 31, the U.S. Department of State issued the following Public Announcement for Kenya, which reads in part: "This Public Announcement is being issued to alert American citizens to the security situation following disputed elections in Kenya. U.S. citizens should strongly consider the risks of travel to Kenya at this time. The situation in Kenya is volatile and subject to change. U.S. citizens should monitor U.S. Embassy Nairobi’s website at http://kenya.usembassy.gov for the latest information. This Public Announcement expires January 31, 2008. There have been reports of widespread violence, demonstrations, and looting in Nairobi and throughout Kenya. Although the security situation is changing, Americans in Kenya can expect airport closures; a large police presence; food shortages; cash shortages at banks and ATMs; sporadic telephone, cell phone and Internet service; and possible news blackouts. American citizens are strongly reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can become violent. Americans should therefore avoid all demonstrations, protests and gatherings."

 

Pakistan - The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued the following Warden Message on December 27: "This warden message is being issued to alert Americans to safety concerns due to potential demonstrations and disruptions following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. All Americans are asked to keep a low profile and to avoid large gatherings during any declared mourning period, and to adjust their activities according to further developments. The potential for sporadic violence and demonstrations is much higher during the period of mourning for former Prime Minister Bhutto, and Americans are asked to avoid funeral processions and large public gatherings. "As per our long-standing guidance, we would like to remind the American-citizen community of the need to stay alert, to be aware of your surroundings, to reduce travel to a minimum, and to act self-defensively at all times. American citizens should vary their routes and times, avoid areas where Westerners are known to congregate, and maintain a low profile. Threats, protests, and demonstrations may occur throughout Pakistan without prior notice or warning, and on occasion have turned violent or been the target of violence. We therefore recommend that American citizens avoid all demonstrations, protests and large gatherings."

 

Sudan- On January 1, 2008 the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum issued the following Warden Message: "Early this morning, 1 January 2008, in Khartoum, Sudan, a United States Agency for International Development American officer and a locally employed Sudanese driver were attacked in their vehicle by unknown assailants. The Sudanese driver died at the scene of the incident. The American officer died later in hospital. We are working closely with local authorities to investigate the incident. The motive of the assailants is unknown. We continue to urge all American citizens living in Sudan to exercise heightened security awareness. The Embassy will provide further guidance as the investigation continues. "As stated in the Sudan Consular Information Sheet: Terrorist groups continue to seek opportunities to carry out attacks against U.S. interests. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, or kidnappings. U.S. citizens should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, which include tourist sites and locations where westerners are known to congregate, and commercial operations associated with U.S. or Western interests."

 

Previous Updates

December 27, 2007
December 20, 2007
December 13, 2007
December 5, 2007
November 29, 2007
November 21, 2007
November 15, 2007
November 8, 2007
November 1, 2007
October 25, 2007
October 18, 2007
October 11, 2007
October 4, 2007
September 27, 2007
September 20, 2007
September 13, 2007
September 6, 2007
August 30, 2007
August 23, 2007
August 16, 2007
August 9, 2007
August 2, 2007
July 26, 2007
July 20, 2007
July 12, 2007