Travel Alerts

(Dive Travel Business News October 21, 2011) -- Some of the worst flooding in decades has gripped Southeast Asia, and is inching its way towards Bangkok, news outlets reported on Thursday. Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday acknowledged that it was becoming increasing difficult to control floodwater approaching the Thai capital due to the sheer amount of water, the Associated Press reported. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - Sept 6, 2011) -- In an effort to combat drug-related violence, Trinidad has extended its sate of emergency (SOE) and curfew for three more months. A nightly 8-hour curfew was first imposed on Aug 21, 2011 in direct response to a wave of violent crime linked to drug trafficking that included the murder of 11 people over a 48-hour period. Government security forces had already been fighting the illegal drug trade, that culminated in a multi- million-dollar bust at the island's international airport in last month. 

Trinidad is a major transhipment point of cocaine. Colombian and Mexican drug dealers who had been fighting for drug turf locally were set to go on a bloodbath, following the seizure of cocaine worth $22 million at Piarco International Airport on August 16, five days before the declaration of the state of emergency. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 28, 2011) --  The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has published an official warning about the increasing number of missing people in Costa Rica on its travel advice website

The new text includes the line: "Eight foreign nationals (including one British national) have gone missing in the last two years, with some related to criminal activity."

The change comes in response to a letter from the Dixon family to Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Minister of State Jeremy Browne said in a reply to the Dixons on 12 May: "Violent crime against tourists is increasing. The recent increase in the number of foreign nationals missing in Costa Rica is also worrying."

David Dixon said: "There is a common misperception that Costa Rica is a safe place to go on holiday. While it is a beautiful country, travellers need to be aware of the increasing number of tourist disappearances and exercise a much greater degree of caution." read more »

(Dive Travel Business News May 27, 2011) -- The most recent U.S. State Department alert, issued April 22, expanded the areas in Mexico that are experiencing drug-cartel-related violence and advised U.S. travelers to exercise caution in visiting some parts of Mexico. One of the more confusing things about the State Department’s warning was that it sometimes named cities, sometimes states,sometimes vaguely delineated portions of states, sometimes roads, routes or border areas: The result leaves many travelers with the impression that entire states posed a security risk for visitors. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 5, 2011) -- The State Department issued a worldwide travel warning for Americans after President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations," the State Department said in a worldwide travel warning issued early Monday. "U.S. citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security expects "threats of retaliation" from al Qaeda in the aftermath of Osama bin Laden's death, a department official told CNN early Monday. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 24, 2011) --  Iceland’s  Grimsvotn volcano, which lies beneath the ice of the uninhabited Vatnajokull glacier in southeast Iceland - about 120 miles east of the capital, Reykjavik - began erupting Saturday May 21, 2011 for the first time since 2004. It was the volcano's largest eruption in 100 years. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 22, 2011) -- The National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration anticipates an active 2011 Atlantic hurricane season with between 12 and 18 named storms predicted.  The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 and ends November 30.  

The waters the waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and tropical Atlantic continue with above-average temperatures, which is an underlying reason for an above-average number of potential storms.  NOAA forecasts that between six and ten of the storms will strengthen into Category 1 hurricanes (winds at least 74 mph), and three to six storms will become major hurricanes with winds of at least 111 mph (at least Category 3).

Last year’s season was one of the busiest on record with 19 named storms, including 12 hurricanes. NOAA’s forecast in 2010 was 14 to 23 named storms, eight to 14 hurricanes and three to seven major storms.

** This RSS Feed is brought to you by www.DiveTravelBusinessNews.com **

(Dive Travel Business News - January 30, 2011) - Today, the U.S. State Department recommends that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt due to ongoing political and social unrest. Other countries have filed similar advisories. A government travel warning is a serious action that usually triggers cancelations by airlines and tour operators and also affects certain types of travel-insurance coverage.

Violent demonstrations have occurred in several areas of Cairo, Alexandria and other parts of the country, disrupting road travel between city centers and airports. U.S. citizens currently in Egypt should consider leaving as soon as they can safely do so.  Cairo airport is open and operating, but flights may be disrupted and transport to the airport may be disrupted due to the protests.  Travelers should remain in contact with their airlines or tour operators concerning flight schedules, and arrange to arrive at the airport well before government-imposed curfew hours (4pm - 8am). Tourists are experiencing disruptions in communications, including internet service.  read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 27, 2010) --The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will discontinue the color-coded alerts of the Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS) in favor of a new system, the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). For years, the color coded system has been stuck mostly on the “orange” level threat. The new system aims to more effectively communicate information about terrorist threats by providing timely, detailed information to the public, government agencies, first responders, airports and other transportation hubs, and the private sector. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - December 2, 2010) -- The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is advising against all travel to the North-Western Islands (including Yeonpyeong-do, Daecheong-do and Baengnyeong-do) in South Korea due to rising tensions on the Korean peninsula,

Travelers to South Korea are advised to be vigilant, monitor ongoing developments, and follow the advice of local authorities. Travelers should exercise caution, avoid areas where demonstrations are being held and avoid confrontations with protestors as political, labour, and student demonstrations and marches can become confrontational or violent. read more »