US TRAVELERS have been used to use “increased caution” when visiting a vacation hotspot.
The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for the Dominican Republic, advising holidaymakers to be careful, due to an influx of crime.
The agency has given the country a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution warning.
Homicide, robbery and sexual assault are all common in the Caribbean country, according to the agency, despite increased police presence in tourist areas.
“Do not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals from online in secluded locations,” the State Department warned.
Travelers have been warned to “pay attention” to their surroundings, and not to wear or carry valuables that attract attention.
Phones should also be kept hidden in public, with tourists urged not to resist robbery attempts.
The Government adds that people should travel in pairs or groups, and should not leave food and drink unattended.
Travel advisory levels
There are four levels of travel advisory, Level One to Level Four, with four being the highest.
Level One is the lowest level of advisory, with travelers urged to be cautious, as there is some risk in the area.
Level Two, advises travelers to exercise increased caution, as there is a heightened risk to safety and security.
Level Three urges travelers to reconsider travel plans, as there are serious risks to safety.
Level Four strongly recommends that travelers do not visit a destination, due to many factors, including that the US government may be unable to provide assistance in the event of an emergency.
US passenger warning
This comes as US passengers are being warned to think twice about what they wear when heading to the airport – or risk security delays and serious health hazards.
Experts have issued stark guidance for travelers flying with major US carriers, including United, American Airlines, and Southwest.
Baggy hoodies, slogan T-shirts, and tight jeans or leggings may seem like comfy choices – but they can cause all sorts of problems from TSA screenings to inflight health scares, experts say.
Travel anxiety high as Americans say trips feel unsafe: study
A new study has found a majority of Americans feel “plagued” by nerves and anxiety by the mere thought of international travel.
In the past year, the poll of 2,000 U.S. travelers, conducted by Talker Research, found 94% have traveled domestically, and 28% have traveled internationally.
Fears of traveling abroad have increased for both groups — 30% of domestic travelers feel nervous about international travel, while 20% of travelers with international experience also feel nervous about doing it again.
And while 88% said they already have plans to travel in the next 12 months, four in 10 are starting to get cold feet over their next vacation due to how “unsafe” they think traveling will be.
Travel-related anxieties stemmed from potential travel delays and cancellations (42%), means of travel (40%), current government policies (40%) and current perceptions about American tourists (39%).
Others cited fears over the possibility of getting hurt while traveling (31%), not knowing much about their destination (27%), having traveled to unsafe locations in the past (16%) and having bad past travel experiences (15%).
A secondary study of 1,500 U.S. travelers conducted by AXA Assistance revealed people mostly travel to visit family (34%), go on summer vacations (34%) or escape for weekend getaways (32%).
Nearly all (95%) said safety was undoubtedly important to them. Some shared the more specific reasons safety is front of mind for them while abroad.
“Traveling should be something people can really enjoy and be able to relax. But for many, that’s not always the case,” said Stephen Samataro, chief revenue officer at AXA Assistance.
“The anxieties people feel are justified and reasonable. That’s why safety is so critical for people — people want the reassurance that they can worry less when they’re on vacation and focus more on their adventures.”
Anton Radchenko, an international aviation lawyer and CEO of AirAdvisor, told The Sun: “It’s best to stay away from bulky clothing or anything with a lot of metal, including heavy jewelry.
“Hoodies, long coats, cargo pants with lots of pockets – they all tend to trigger additional screenings at security.
“Even underwire bras or metal belt buckles can set off the alarms.”
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