International travel always carries a degree of risk, and U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories serve as trusted guidelines for travel, as well as a helpful starting point for important conversations about health and safety abroad.
That said, it came as a surprise to many when the Department of State upgraded several popular tourist destinations — including France, Peru, Spain, South Africa, Italy, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Germany — to a Level 2 Travel Advisory in May.
“A Level 2 Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State means ‘exercise increased caution,’” said Ricarda Lindner, regional manager of the Americas for the German National Tourist Office (GNTO). “It does not indicate that travel is unsafe, but it encourages travelers to stay informed and take standard precautions.”
A Level 2 Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State means ‘exercise increased caution.' It does not indicate that travel is unsafe, but it encourages travelers to stay informed and take standard precautions.
How Are Travel Advisory Levels Determined and Altered?
Factors that affect travel advisories range from terrorism and natural disasters to the U.S. government changing its staffing levels or restrictions in a country over security concerns. It’s important to note that travel advisories can be updated at any time — that is, if conditions change significantly enough. Otherwise, Levels 1 and 2 are reviewed approximately once per year, and Levels 3 and 4 are re-evaluated at least every six months.
The review process has proven beneficial to countries such as Jamaica, which went from a Level 3 Travel Advisory to a Level 2 in late May. Prime Minister Andrew Holness attributed the upgrade to years of targeted policy implementation, sustained diplomatic engagement and investments in security infrastructure. The Jamaican government has invested more than $87 billion in security since 2016, including equipping the Jamaica Customs Agency with advanced technology.
“We are grateful for our loyal travel advisor partners who are true champions for Jamaica and whose advocacy and belief in the destination have always made a difference,” said Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “Today, they can move forward with even greater confidence, selling Jamaica with the assurance that they are sending clients to a destination as safe as it is spectacular."
How Travel Advisors Are Talking to Clients About Travel Advisory Levels
For some clients, a Level 2 Travel Advisory can be a barrier. Exercising increased caution could mean postponing the trip or canceling altogether.
“We discuss what the advisories are and what they mean to the client, and we compare international destinations to cities within the U.S.,” said Sarah Struntz of the veteran-owned Summit to Shore Travel Group. “We may change course and select a gated community for their stay, versus a low-end hotel. We may even have clients choose not to leave the resort. We also discuss being aware of one’s surroundings, and we use our military background to teach basic safety tips. Sometimes it’s not enough, and our clients choose another country to visit.”
I never push anyone to go somewhere they feel uneasy about, but if someone seems unsure because of the advisory label, I ask questions to help them unpack that.
Asia Lantz of Travel With Asia agrees that listening to a client’s concerns is paramount and can help determine logical next steps.
“I never push anyone to go somewhere they feel uneasy about, but if someone seems unsure because of the advisory label, I ask questions to help them unpack that,” Lantz said. “Are they nervous about the political climate? Healthcare access? Crime? Once we understand the ‘why,’ we can talk about what feels safe and what doesn’t, and go from there.”
Lantz takes the time to look at the advisory language with clients, too.
“I’ve had a few people reach out a little nervous when headlines make something sound scarier than it is,” she said. “I just walk them through what the advisory actually says, what it means and why it was issued. Most of the time, after doing this, the client will choose to move forward with their trip, and they feel reassured knowing that they have someone in their corner keeping an eye on things.”
I’ve had a few people reach out a little nervous when headlines make something sound scarier than it is. I just walk them through what the advisory actually says, what it means and why it was issued.
Lantz also includes up-to-date advisory information in each itinerary she builds using tools like Sherpa, a service that helps clients understand travel requirements, visa applications and advisories.
“That way, my clients know I’m not hiding anything,” Lantz said. “They’re seeing the same info I do."
As a baseline, Matthew Walker of Maidstone Travel makes sure to discuss travel advisories of Level 3 and higher with clients during their planning call. He also implements an additional measure to protect himself and his company from liability.
“If clients request countries with a Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory, I inform them that I will have them sign a disclaimer before I proceed with a quote, acknowledging that I have advised them of the risk,” he said.
For Logan Johnson of Coastline Travel, trusted partnerships on the ground offer her peace of mind and a lifeline.
“We monitor travel advisories to ensure we are not sending clients to an area that’s deemed unsafe,” Johnson said. “We work with excellent tour operators all over the world, and we rely heavily on them to keep us updated on the current climate. These tour partners act as our on-the-ground support. They can react quickly to keep us informed and the client safe.”
Angel Wilson of Dream Journeys, LLC likes to anchor the travel advisory conversation using the location where her clients currently live and places that they have traveled to domestically. She informs them of warnings other countries (such as Canada, Germany, the U.K and Denmark) have regarding travel to those places, and around the U.S.
I work with smart, thoughtful travelers, and part of my role is giving them the context they need to feel confident in their choices.
In fact, at the time of this story’s publication, the official website for the U.K. government explained to prospective travelers that “terrorists are very likely to try and carry out attacks in the U.S.” The Canadian government warned travelers visiting the U.S. to “expect scrutiny at ports of entry” and, if denied entry, that they could be “detained while awaiting deportation.”
Ultimately, a travel advisory is one piece of a larger puzzle when planning international trips. It's the travel advisor’s expertise in providing full context and reassurance that helps empower clients to make informed decisions.
“I work with smart, thoughtful travelers, and part of my role is giving them the context they need to feel confident in their choices,” Lantz said. “Most of them understand that a Level 2 Advisory doesn’t mean ‘don’t go’ — it just means ‘stay aware,’ which, let’s be honest, is solid advice for any destination, even within the U.S.”