New travel alert issued by the US State Department

With cheap fares all around Europe this summer, the US State Department has just released a travel alert for the area due to concerns over potential terrorist threats.

 

Caution is urged, especially while in public or crowded ares, as the travel warning quotes “citizens should always be alert to the possibility that terrorist sympathizers or self-radicalized extremists may conduct attacks with little or no warning. Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities as viable targets. In addition, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, high-profile events, educational institutions, airports, and other soft targets remain priority locations for possible attacks. U.S. citizens should exercise additional vigilance in these and similar locations, in particular during the upcoming summer travel season when large crowds may be common."

For information on European travel alerts, US citizens are advised to check official embassy websites of the country of destination, as well as to read updates on any related news or event.

Considering the latest events in Europe, the travel warning comes not to discourage tourists from visiting European countries, but to boost awareness and caution over possible terror attack scenarios, as the targeted locations are considered to be hotels, airports and parks.

If any attacks should occur, US citizens are urged to strictly follow the instructions of local authorities, monitor news updates, prepare for air traffic disruptions, keep in touch with family, have an emergency situation plan at the beginning of their trip and sign into the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), the program that registers travel details and keeps travelers updated on security issues in various areas in Europe.

This is the first European travel alert of the year, set to expire on September 1st 2017.