Travel advisories are regularly given by different governments to warn their citizens of any potential risk in traveling. They can serve as reminders even to non-citizens of prevailing difficult conditions in a particular place such as war, local uprisings, natural disasters, and health scares. At times, they are directed to citizens to because of political reasons. As travelers, should we be seriously taking heed of travel advisories?
Warn – Not Stop
The intention of the issuance of travel advisories is to warn and not to stop travel to a particular place of concern. The issuing entity which is usually the government, will make public its recommendation to its citizens to avoid traveling to the place while citing the reasons for doing so. The main purpose is to protect travelers from going to a place without knowing the possible risks involved.
Unless a traveler has any criminal or civil liability to face, there is nothing to stop him or her from going to wherever he or she desires. There is no legal basis to prevent someone from traveling as a result of the issuance of a travel advisory. The decision of whether to go on or not lies solely on the traveler.
How Should Travel Advisories Be Handled
Travel advisories must be evaluated by the travelers in relation to the expected effect of the warning on their planned travel. It is much easier to forego leisure travel and schedule it on a more opportune time than it is for business travel. Leisure and fun can always wait but unfortunately, this is not so with business.
Special attention must be given to the reason why the travel advisory is being issued. If the situation presents real danger especially on a nationwide coverage, travelers must take these advisories very seriously. The last thing any traveler would like to do is walk straight to danger itself which could have been avoided in the first place.
It is possible that traveler advisories are no longer in effect because of the lapsed time. The source of the advisory must also be reliable and supported by travel authorities. It is very important for travelers to check for the presence of an embassy or consulate in the country of destination. This will provide travelers a place to go just in case real trouble erupts. When travelers decide to go on with their planned trip in spite of strong advisories to do otherwise, the least that travelers can do for themselves is to let their government and their family know what they are up to.