Political Unrest

(Dive Travel Business News - Feb 20, 2012) -- Recent political turmoil in the Maldives have triggered global tour operating companies to look into alternatives for their tourist clients.  The mutiny by sections of the country’s police on Feb 6, facilitated a coup d'etat and the ousting of elected President Mohamed Nasheed, causing international concern. Other Indian Ocean islands, like Mauritius and the Seychelles, are ready to accommodate tourists initially booked for the Maldives or intent to book their holiday there, should the political situation worsen and compel tour operators to seek safe alternatives.

The day after the coup, the people of Maldives rallied en-masse around deposed President Mohamed Nasheed in a peaceful demonstration in Malé. The police and the army violently repressed the demonstration by beating civilians, women, and the elderly, including members of leaders of the opposition, parliament, and the media.   read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - February 12, 2012) -- A string of tourist-related incidents in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula have raised concerns for travel to the area.  Until recently, inspite of uprisings, travel to Egypt has been relatively safe, although travel advisories have warned of travel to Cairo, following the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak last year.

On February 10, 1rmed Bedouin tribesmen stopped a tourist bus had snatched three Korean tourists and their tour guide as they were traveling back from a famous tourist site on Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. The tribesmen left several other tourists behind. Just 29 hours later, all four people were safely released. The freed people reportedly said that the gunmen were not violent at all but rather kind, and even gave them some food. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - February 9, 2010) -- A coup d'état in the Maldives on Tuesday February 7 has resulted in the removal of President Mohamed Nasheed.   The UK Foreign Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to Male Island. There are political demonstrations in the capital Malé, which have resulted in violent clashes involving police, military and demonstrators.  There have been reports of unrest on other non-resort islands generally around municipal buildings such as police stations and courtrooms.

The situation remains uncertain. Tourists in Malé, or those who choose to travel to Malé, should exercise caution, avoid demonstrations and beware of spontaneous gatherings. Tourists should check with their tour operator or travel company for further information. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 27, 2012) -- Fueled by the Arab Spring, changes in US policy and economic reforms, Cuba is enjoying one of the best tourist seasons ever.  Last year Cuba had it's best year ever with 2.7 million visitors but observers are predicting that this year should beat that number.  The political stability and lack of crime in tightly controlled Cuba are strong lures for visitors. Clean Cuban beaches are also an attraction.

This high season has also seen a resurgence in visitors from Europe. Cuba has attracted many Europeans who would have gone to North Africa but balked because of the "Arab Spring" uprisings, tourism officials say.

Cuban Americans have been flooding into Cuba since U.S. President Barack Obama lifted restrictions for them to travel to their homeland in 2009. But now the number of other American visitors is climbing after Obama changed regulations in 2011, making it easier for non-Cuban Americans to enter a country the US trade embargo made off-limits for the past 50 years. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 2, 2012) -- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Egypt, except for Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and the main tourist centres of Luxor and Aswan, due to the unpredictable security situation and continuing demonstrations throughout the country. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 7, 2012) -- The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued new travel advice for flood-hit Thailand. The last six months have been a difficult time for the Far Eastern nation, with excessive monsoon rains leaving many areas under water – and new downpours in the southern regions have led to the FCO publishing a new travel warning.

Recent downpours have caused mudslides in the south, and dangerously swollen seas in the Gulf of Thailand. Heavy rainfall has caused landslides and flooding in some districts of the far southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Phattalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon, Trang and Krabi. The west coast region of Krabi, in particular, is a significant destination for sun-seekers, who come for beaches that can often be quieter than more popular areas such as Phuket.

Last week saw the official death toll from the floods rise above 800, with Thailand’s head of state King Bhumibol Adulyadej decrying the chaos caused by the rising waters. read more »

(Dive Travel Business - May 13, 2011) -- The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals to the Asia and Pacific region for the first quarter of 2011. The results show a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. The sharp fall in arrivals to Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, coupled with the decline in arrivals from the Middle East and North Africa, contributed to the subdued 3 percent growth seen for the whole region in March. International visitor arrivals to South Asia grew by 10 percent in March and 13 percent in the first quarter. All the leading destinations in the Indian-subcontinent -- India, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka -- reported double-digit growth for the quarter.