Travel Update-Weekly Edition

February 14th, 2008

Airline News

Airport/Destination News

Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport - The Dutch government announced plans to tighten security at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport after a journalist smuggled a fake bomb and drugs into planes at Europe's fourth-busiest air travel hub. Three staff entrances will be closed immediately and body searches introduced for all personnel and their belongings within days, Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin said.

Bolivia - There is an increased risk of civil unrest throughout Bolivia during the next few days, as the government announced on 12 February 2008 that it will not adhere to a deadline established by the opposition-backed National Democratic Council (Conalde) to make reforms to the draft constitution. Civil unrest is likely to be strongest in the departments (provinces) of Santa Cruz, Tajira and Cochabamba, where the anti-government opposition is concentrated.

Denver International Airport - Denver International Airport has opened Registered Traveler security lanes at the main Jeppesen Terminal. The Registered Traveler program, overseen by the Transportation Security Administration, provides speedy security checkpoint clearance through a separate line for prescreened subscribers. The lanes are open on the south side of the terminal, and the airport plans to open more on the north side in March. New York-based Verified Identity Pass operates the lanes.

Hotel News

Sheraton Hotels - Sheraton and Four Points by Sheraton will implement a smoke-free policy at more than 300 properties in the U.S., Caribbean and Canada. Both brands expect to be completely smoke-free in the U.S. and Canada by Dec. 31. To prepare for the new policy, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, the parent of the two brands, said approximately 8,000 smoking rooms would undergo a deep cleaning of all soft goods and air conditioning units as well as treatment of all hard surfaces, walls and carpets to eliminate allergens.

Miscellaneous

State Dept Travel Warnings and Public announcements - For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see  http://travel.state.gov/travel

Hungary - On February 12, the U.S. Embassy in Budapest issued the following Warden Message: "Between 11 February and 15 March, Parliament will hold debates and votes on important legislation (health care, education) that have been emotionally charged issues in the past. Demonstrations at or near Parliament (to include Vértanúk tere Imre Nagy statue/bridge) are expected regularly. At Parliament, police have placed barriers at the perimeter, which may cause large groups of demonstrators to be staged on Alkotmány utca and other adjacent areas. "Demonstrations may range in size and violence is a possibility. Last year, demonstrators threw bottles and spat at members of Parliament during similar debates/votes. Combined with the recent spike in crimes committed against government officials (especially members of Parliament), police are preparing a significant security presence to try to control demonstrations. The United States Embassy in Budapest is advising Embassy staff to avoid these locations when possible. "The Kossuth Lajos tér metro station should remain open and operate regularly. "Key Dates:
March 9: Parliament will vote on a national referendum on education reform and medical visit fees.
March 15: National Holiday (160th Anniversary of the 1848 Hungarian Revolution)."

 

Israel -  On February 11 the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv issued the following Warden Message: "In light of the recent border collapse between Gaza and the Sinai, the Embassy would like all Americans to be aware of the Government of Israel’s public security advisory concerning travel near the Israeli-Egyptian border issued on 26 January 2008. To stay better informed for your own personal safety, please take the time to read this message. The following is the complete text of this announcement: "Travel routes and tourist attractions near the Israeli-Egyptian border have been temporarily closed due to a raised level of alert. The massive passage of Palestinians in the past few days from the Gaza Strip to Sinai included, according to security assessments, Palestinians involved in terrorism. As a result, the IDF raised the level of alert along the Israeli-Egyptian border. Route 10 has been temporarily closed as a measure to protect the security of Israeli citizens. "Tourists are kindly requested not to visit the following regions: Agur Sand Dunes, Be’er Milha tourist area, Be’erutaim region, Azuz region, Mount Harif region, Lot Wells, Scorpion Creek, Eilot Creek, Mount Ramon, Arud Pass, Mount Sagi, Mount Karkum, Tznifim Gate, Eilat Mountains, Ein Netafim, Tphahut Creek, Shlomo Creek, Yoshafat Creek, Geshron Creek, Shani Creek and the Red Canyon. "In addition to the aforementioned advisory, the Israeli National Security Council strongly warns all Israeli citizens to avoid any travel to the Sinai Peninsula due to the increased threat of terrorist activity."

 

Mozambique - The U.S. Embassy in Maputo issued the following Warden Message on February 11: "The U.S. Embassy is sending this Warden Message to advise the American community about riots in Chokwe (Gaza Province). Media reports indicate that one person has been killed and at least ten injured. Although U.S. citizens have not been targeted, U.S. Embassy Maputo advises persons to avoid travel in this area and take no unnecessary risks. It is important to be aware that problem areas can change with little notice."

 

Pakistan - On February 11 the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad issued the following Warden Message: "This warden message is being issued to alert Americans to potential safety concerns due to an increased number of attacks targeting CD and video shops throughout the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The Embassy recommends that American citizens exercise caution and good judgment when choosing whether to patronize such vendors, which have been known to be prone to terrorist attacks. "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."

 

Philippines - On February 13 the U.S. Department of State issued the following Travel Warning: "This Travel Warning updates information on the security situation and reminds Americans of the risks of travel in the Philippines. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for the Philippines issued April 27, 2007. "U.S. citizens contemplating travel to the Philippines should carefully consider the risks to their safety and security while there, including those due to terrorism. While travelers may encounter such threats anywhere in the Philippines, the southern island of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago are of particular concern. Travelers should exercise extreme caution in both central and western Mindanao as well as in the Sulu Archipelago. "Kidnap for ransom gangs operate in the Philippines. In October 2007, one such gang abducted a visiting U.S. citizen whose whereabouts are unknown at this time. Several other foreigners were also kidnapped for ransom in 2007. The New People’s Army (NPA), a terrorist organization, operates in many rural areas of the Philippines, including in the northern island of Luzon. While it has not targeted foreigners in several years, the NPA could threaten U.S. citizens engaged in business or property management activities, and it often demands 'revolutionary taxes.' "Terrorist groups, such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Jema’ah Islamiyah, and groups that have broken away from the more mainstream Moro Islamic Liberation Front or Moro National Liberation Front, have carried out bombings resulting in deaths, injuries and property damage. On 3 January 2008, a bomb exploded at a Cotabato City disco pub, killing one and injuring eight. The central and western areas of Mindanao have also experienced bombings targeting bus terminals and public buildings. While those responsible do not appear to have targeted foreigners, travelers should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas; a recent bombing outside the House of Representatives in Metro Manila resulted in a number of deaths and injuries to bystanders. "U.S. Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. When traveling in Mindanao, U.S. official travelers attempt to lower their profile, limit their length of stay, and exercise extreme caution. Some foreigners who reside in or visit western and central Mindanao hire their own security."

 

Timor - Leste - On February 13 the U.S. Embassy in Dili issued the following Warden Message: "The GOTL reported that Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao extended the state of emergency for an additional 7 days beginning on February 13. The curfew hours remain from 8:00pm through 6:00am. The state of emergency was initially announced by the GOTL on 11 February for a period of 48 hours after the assassination attempts against President Ramos-Horta and the Prime Minister that morning. The extension of the state of emergency was approved by the acting President. There are no reports of unrest in Dili at this time. American citizens are urged to continue to use extreme caution and limit movements to the greatest extent possible."

 

United Kingdom - On February 7 the U.S. Consulate General in Belfast issued the following Warden Message: "Although the level of violence in Northern Ireland has decreased substantially in recent years, on 6 February 2008 the Police Service of Northern Ireland issued a warning of an increased threat from dissident republicans. This follows a 30 January warning to local business owners to check their premises daily for incendiary devices and to review security measures. Citizens and visitors can expect to see increased security operations across the province, including the use of vehicle checkpoints. Police ask that the public be patient and co-operate with them in the operation which is designed to ensure the safety of the whole community. They also ask that the public report any suspicious activity. "Both the US and the UK stress that public vigilance is always important regardless of the threat level. We advise that all citizens take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness, and exercise caution in public places."

 

Yemen - On February 11 the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa issued the following Warden Message: "Spontaneous demonstrations take place in Yemen from time to time in response to world events or local developments. We remind American citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Upcoming demonstration information follows: "There is a peaceful protest in Tahrir Square in Sanaa consisting of approximately 1000-1500 people. They are protesting for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. All Embassy personnel have been instructed to avoid this area until further notice."

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