Category: Travel Safety & Emergencies
Breaking News, information and announcements on issues that include safety and security in travel. Working with the Rapid Response system of SaferTourism, updates include official statements, advice, and alerts. Updates on emergencies, rescue missions and government activities. Click here to submit news tips. Click here to find out about how to respond, prevent and assure travel assurity.
Domestic Tourism Drive in Nigeria Bayelsa State
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 24, 2021 20:40With COVID-19 attacking every country and every travel and tourism destination, the answer for many is Domestic Tourism. In Bayelsa, a State in Southern Nigeria, this potentila was discussed and ... Read More
Attack on Saudi Arabia: US Issues Statement
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 24, 2021 20:13The United States strongly condemns the latest attack on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The State Department said in a press-release: "We are gathering more information, but it appears to have been ... Read More
The safest mask to wear is deadly upsetting to Americans
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 24, 2021 06:10The US Government has a good reason to mislead its 332 million citizens against wearing KN95 and N95 masks. Europe however is now coming out with the truth. Read More
Portugal suspends all passenger flights with UK
Harry S. Johnson- January 22, 2021 23:59Portugal halts air service with Great Britain Read More
Aviation Industry Leaders Unite in World Tourism Network Interest Group
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 21, 2021 19:38Aviation is a key factor in rebuilding the travel and tourism industry. The World Tourism Network had an initial brainstorming discussion with industry leaders to talk about a way forward. Read More
Powerful earthquake strikes southern Philippines
Harry S. Johnson- January 21, 2021 15:23The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of aftershocks but said damage was not expected Read More
3 people killed, 6 wounded in huge Madrid explosion
Harry S. Johnson- January 20, 2021 15:31The site of the explosion is not far from Puerta de Toledo, one of the city’s gates and a popular tourist attraction Read More
Dubai effective approach to beat the virus
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 19, 2021 19:41Dubai moved to be a model in countering the COVID-19 virus with vaccination centers, a massive stimulus package and comprehensive health insurance for all airline passengers. Read More
Europeans want to travel again in Spring 2021
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 19, 2021 09:4932% of respondents indicated that they intend to take a trip during April-June 2021, a 20% rise compared to the previous research wave 52% of Europeans plan to travel in ... Read More
The Future of Travel to Thailand
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 19, 2021 09:41Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine this week for emergency use in the country. Read More
UNWTO is deaf when it comes to WTTC and the private travel sector
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 19, 2021 07:38The controversial dinner last night to bribe for Zurab Pololikashvili re-election for UNWTO Secretary General has raised eyebrows all over the world. It's not clear who ended up attending the ... Read More
Sandals and Beaches Resorts Elevates “Travel With Confidence” Program
Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor- January 19, 2021 01:27Sandals Resorts International has announced it is offering complimentary COVID-19 testing beginning January 26 to all registered guests across its Sandals and Beaches Resorts on-resort prior to their departure. This ... Read More
Most dangerous US National Parks named
Harry S. Johnson- January 18, 2021 17:52From accidental falls to drowning and even attacks by wild animals - US national parks can be dangerous places to visit Read More
UNWTO disrespect against Bahrain is a violation of JIU Ethic Conditions
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 18, 2021 03:56Food and wine in politics always had an important role. But violating clear rules by the Joint Inspection Unit of the United Nations in a UNWTO Election dinner is shameful ... Read More
78 dead and climbing in West Sulawesi, Indonesia
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 18, 2021 01:13The powerful earthquake in West Sulawesi Indonesia left 78 people dead. This number may go up. Many are homeless. Authorities are trying to get a handle on the unfolding situation. Read More
Washington DC is too quiet! I feel safe but scared!
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 18, 2021 00:50My house is three minutes walk from the White House for 30 years. I welcomed visitors from every continent. I just came back from a walk. My city is quiet, ... Read More
Federturismo in favor of Travel License for vaccinated people
Mario Masciullo - eTN Italy- January 16, 2021 20:56Federturismo, the Italian Federation for Travel Agents, is pleading with the Technical Scientific Committee to help restart tourism by its extension of the country’s state of emergency. Its President, Marina ... Read More
India travel agents appeal for urgent vaccinated travelers protocol
Anil Mathur - eTN India- January 16, 2021 19:58The officers of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) are making an urgent appeal to the Minister of Civil Aviation and Minister of Tourism to establish protocols for travelers ... Read More
Abandoned piece of luggage triggers Frankfurt Airport evacuation
Harry S. Johnson- January 16, 2021 19:43Parts of Frankfurt Airport evacuated due to possible bomb or gun threat Read More
New dangerous COVID-P1 virus in Brazil, Panama, Cape Verde, Portugal, Japan
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 15, 2021 05:14COVID 19 is growing a new strains are emerging. The third one now in Brazil. This P1 version was already detected by travelers arriving in Japan. UK is closing inbound ... Read More
Delta Air Lines bans pro-Trump hoodlums from its flights
Harry S. Johnson- January 14, 2021 23:02Delta Air puts Donald Trump supporters who heckled Mitt Romney and Lindsey Graham on no-fly list Read More
Powerful earthquake strikes Sulawesi, Indonesia
Chief Assignment Editor- January 14, 2021 19:24Strong Magnitude 6.2 earthquake rocked Sulawesi, Indonesia today. Preliminary Earthquake ReportMagnitude6.2Date-Time14 Jan 2021 18:28:18 UTC 15 Jan 2021 02:28:18 near epicenter 14 Jan 2021Location3.005S 118.924EDepth18 kmDistances36.1 km (22.4 mi) S ... Read More
Belize and Costa Rica respond to new CDC requirement for US travel
Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor- January 14, 2021 02:53As the cases of COVID-19 continue to accelerate in the America, the US CDC has instituted a new protocol for everyone enterting the country. All travelers will now be required ... Read More
The Bahamas poised to seamlessly integrate new CDC order into existing protocols
Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor- January 14, 2021 00:09Yesterday, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that all air passengers flying to the U.S. from a foreign country will be required to show proof of ... Read More
How you can influence the future of Aviation?
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 13, 2021 21:19The World Tourism Network emerged out of a grassroots initiatives known as rebuilding.travel. Aviation veteran Vijay Poonoosamy, a former VP for Etihad Airways is now leading the Aviation Interest Group ... Read More
Spain snowstorm: Extraordinary acts of ordinary people
Elisabeth Lang - special to eTN- January 13, 2021 04:05Spain is suffering the effects of a major snowstorm by the name of Filomena, bringing record-breaking low temperatures and mountains of snow. And the worst day is yet to come ... Read More
WTTC: Downfall of discriminating against unvaccinated travelers
Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor- January 13, 2021 01:09With comprehensive COVID-19 testing allowing for the free and safe movement of travelers, there should be no further requirements for proof of vaccination from the coronavirus. The vaccine program is ... Read More
Eight people dead, thousands stranded as huge snowstorm hits Japan
Chief Assignment Editor- January 12, 2021 00:43During the worst of the snow, about 1,500 vehicles were stranded on the Hokuriku Expressway in Fukui Perfection Read More
National COVID-19 Immunization Campaign begins in Seychelles
Linda Hohnholz, eTN editor- January 11, 2021 21:44Seychelles, one of the top tourist destinations for travelers, leaps towards immunization as the country launched its national COVID-19 Immunization Campaign on Sunday, January 10, 2021. Being the first country ... Read More
WHO: No back to normal in 2021
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 11, 2021 21:39A return to normalcy won't be possible until herd immunity is achieved worldwide -- a goal that is unlikely in 2021, although some countries may achieve it within their own ... Read More
6 rangers killed in terror attack on Virunga National Park
Tony Ofungi - eTN Uganda- January 11, 2021 18:23Rangers were taken by surprise and had no opportunity to defend themselves Read More
British Virgin Islands helps pay for your private jet
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 10, 2021 21:27Traveling on a private jet is out of reach for most people, but it's a safe way to travel. The British Islands will help to make it more affordable and ... Read More
Filomena dumps heaviest snowfall in Madrid since 1971
Elisabeth Lang - special to eTN- January 9, 2021 21:52Spain is known for sunshine, beaches and beautiful blue skies. Today Filomena changed this scene to 30 hour of snow fall. It's a snowstorm Madrid hasn't seen for 50 years. ... Read More
Massive avalanche kills three people at Russian Arctic ski resort
Harry S. Johnson- January 9, 2021 16:29Avalanche covered an area of around 300 square meters, crushing several huts and killing three people including a child Read More
Indonesian authorities confirm that Sriwijaya Air Boeing 737 with 65 on board crashed into Jakarta Bay
Harry S. Johnson- January 9, 2021 16:08At least 65 people - 53 passengers, including 10 children, and 12 crewmembers were on board of crashed Indonesian Boeing 737-500 passenger plane Read More
Passenger Plane Crash in Indonesia
Juergen T Steinmetz- January 9, 2021 11:5962 passengers and crew are assumed dead after Sriwijaya Air flight #SJ182 a 737-500 (classic narrow-body airline jet) disappeared on a domestic flight on Saturday afternoon. The aircraft lost more ... Read More