Tag: Travel And Security

World Travel Watch: Protests in Nepal, Tensions in Nicaragua and More

Larry Habegger rounds up global travel news

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World Travel Watch: Monster Shark Off Australia, Deadly Driving Games in Bulgaria and More

Larry Habegger rounds up global travel news

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World Travel Watch: Dengue in Nicaragua, Instability in Bosnia and More

Larry Habegger rounds up global travel news

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‘But if You’re Worried About Bombs, Why are You Letting me Keep my Laptop Batteries?’

Webcomic XKCD tackles the absurdity of the airport security rigmarole. It’s funny because it’s true. (Via Boing Boing)


Arthur Frommer on Mexico, Travel and ‘Irrational Fear’

Here’s some more good news for Mexico’s embattled tourism industry: Arthur Frommer has added his voice to the “No really, Mexico is safe for travelers” contingent. In a recent blog post, Frommer admits that hearing about his daughter’s planned trip to Mexico gave him a moment of fear and worry—but he goes on to explain why that fear was largely irrational, noting that she “returned singing the praises of Mexican vacationing and stressing the relative calm of the country.”

Of course, there could be more at work here than just knee-jerk concern about Mexico. After all, don’t parents—even guidebook-publishing parents of grown children—always worry when their kids travel overseas? As Rick Steves noted in our interview with him awhile back, “It’s natural for a parent to be nervous ... I just have to always reason with myself and think, I was 18 and my parents were freaking out and I was capable at the time.”


Finally Some Good News on Travel in Mexico

Finally Some Good News on Travel in Mexico iStockPhoto

Drug cartels. Murders. The news is often bad out of Mexico. Peter Ferry journeys beyond the headlines.

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EU Aims to End Airline Liquid Ban

Good news, sort of, from across the pond: The European Union’s transport commissioner is “resolved to get rid of these awkward and very uncomfortable” security restrictions—just as soon as new screening technology becomes available. There’s no target date, but the thought counts for something, right?


Did Airport Security Ruin Chicago’s Olympic Bid?

Did Airport Security Ruin Chicago’s Olympic Bid? Photo by David Paul Ohmer via Flickr (Creative Commons)
Photo by David Paul Ohmer via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Michelle Higgins ponders the impact of U.S. border control policies on Chicago’s failed bid for the 2016 Summer Games. For my part, I suppose that could have been a factor—remember the visitor shortfall in Beijing after China tightened its visa restrictions—but beyond any specific considerations, I’m just not sure about the assumption that 2016 was Chicago’s to lose. After all, the United States has already hosted the Olympics eight times, while Rio’s winning bid will mean the first Games ever on South American soil. It’s about time, isn’t it?


Travel Warning Issued for Samoa, Tonga

The British Foreign Office is advising travelers to stay away from Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga as the islands struggle with the fall-out from Tuesday’s tsunami. Milder warnings have also been issued for Sumatra, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines.


Body Cavities and the TSA

Over at Boing Boing, Cory Doctorow has a colorful rant speculating about the TSA’s response to the attempted assassination of a Saudi prince last month—by a terrorist dubbed the ass bomber.


China Closes Tibet to Foreign Travelers

Why, you ask?

According to the AP, the closure is designed to ensure stability during celebrations of the 60th anniversary of communist rule in China, which will be marked Oct. 1. The closure will remain in effect through Oct. 8.

Officials have also curtailed kite flying in Beijing.

Critics will shake their heads, but I can think of no better way to celebrate authoritarian rule. Nicely done, China.


Budget Travel Breaks Some Weird Foreign Laws

With some help from their intrepid illustrated adventurer, Bud Travel, of course. It’s a fun slideshow.


Post-9/11 Airport Security: Do You Know Where Your Dignity Is?

On the intersection of place, politics and culture

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Three Would-Be Airliner Bombers Convicted

Three men charged with planning to bomb several trans-Atlantic flights were found guilty of conspiracy to murder in London this week. The trio was behind the August 2006 liquid-explosives plot at Heathrow that ushered in the current restrictions on liquids and gels.


Photo We Don’t Love: Aeromexico Hijacking Suspect

Photo We Don’t Love: Aeromexico Hijacking Suspect REUTERS/Jorge Dan Lopez
REUTERS/Jorge Dan Lopez

Mexican federal police detain Jose Flores, accused of hijacking an Aeromexico plane carrying more than 100 passengers from Cancun to Mexico City yesterday. The Bolivian-born suspect reportedly said he was on a divine mission. He was arrested upon landing and nobody was injured. In fact, passengers said they were unaware of the hijacking until after the plane touched down.


Canuck to American Travelers: Lose the Canadian Flag

Gadling’s Sean McLachlan has a message for fearful Americans headed overseas: “The world doesn’t hate you as much as you think it does.”


Arthur Frommer Is Steering Clear of Arizona

He isn’t quite calling for a full travel boycott—yet—but in his latest blog post, Frommer expresses his concerns over the recent appearances by gun-toting citizens at a Phoenix political event, and makes it clear that he won’t visit the state anytime soon.


Here’s Why a Truffle-Slathered Bomb Will Never Make it Through Airport Security

The Onion says we can count on Mr. Snout.


Bollywood Mega-Star Questioned at Newark

Bollywood Mega-Star Questioned at Newark "My Name is Khan" poster via Bollywood Hungama
“My Name is Khan” poster via Bollywood Hungama

Shah Rukh Khan is one of Bollywood’s best-known stars, and his apparent detention for questioning at Newark Liberty International Airport this weekend has touched off a minor diplomatic incident between the U.S. and India. The silver lining for the actor? Plenty of free publicity for “My Name is Khan,” his upcoming movie about—wait for it—an Indian traveler’s struggles with racial profiling in America.


Machine Guns in the Afternoon

Machine Guns in the Afternoon Photo by Stephanie Carrie

Stephanie Carrie went to Russia to walk the streets that Gogol walked. She didn't plan on practicing her language skills at gunpoint.

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