ASTA says worldwide travel alert was detrimental, uninformative

ASTA says worldwide travel alert was detrimental, uninformative

ASTA on Tuesday said it was unhappy about the worldwide travel alert that the U.S. Department of State issued on Nov. 23, stating that it could inhibit travel while offering little guidance to travelers.

“While the issuance of the alert was no doubt well-intentioned, the lack of any detail particularizing the conditions in specific countries or regions of the world is concerning,” ASTA CEO Zane Kerby said in a statement.

“Vague, overly broad warnings offer travelers little in the way of helpful guidance. In fact, they have the unintended consequence of discouraging travel everywhere, negatively affecting the travel industry and the economy as a whole.”

The travel alert said Islamic groups like ISIS, al-Qaeda and Boko Haram “continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests.”

The alert, which expires on Feb. 24, 2016, urges travelers to avoid large crowds and crowded places, exercise vigilance in public places or when using transportation, and monitor media and local information sources.

ASTA said alerts and warnings related to specific countries are to be taken seriously. However, the society said the worldwide alert issued a week ago could do more harm than good.