1. ECUADOR
The U.S. Embassy in Quito reported that violent crime on Pichincha volcano on the outskirts of Quito has been increasing and recommends that visitors do not hike to the summit even if in groups or beginning at the top of the Teleferico cable car. Several armed assaults have occurred in recent months with groups as large as eight people. U.S. tourists have been robbed at gunpoint and sexually assaulted while hiking. If confronted by bandits the best option usually is to give up your possessions.
2. MARSHALL ISLANDS
The top tourist attraction in the islands may be forced to close because there may no longer be an efficient way to get there. Bikini Atoll, home to a sunken World War II navy fleet, site of 23 atmospheric atomic bomb tests from 1946 through 1958 and a popular dive site, may have to shut down its dive operations because Air Marshall Islands cannot keep its planes flying because of financial problems.
3. TIBET
Because of a dramatic increase in tourism to Tibet since the rail link to Lhasa was opened, Chinese tourism officials plan to invest $5.2 million in the area, with a quarter of that sum dedicated to renovating toilets at tourist spots. An official from the National Tourism Administration called this the largest sum ever allocated for regional tourism development.
4. NICARAGUA
The U.S. Embassy in Managua reported receiving numerous reports that robberies and assaults are increasing, and that incidents of luggage pilfering at Managua’s international airport have occurred.
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Compiled from various news services and travel sources. For the latest on world conditions, check the State Department’s automated service at 888-407-4747; fax 202-647-3000; travel.state.gov.
