Practically since the Twin Towers fell nearly 10 years ago, the U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide caution, a blanket advisory that travelers should be on guard anywhere they go. Now with the death of Osama bin Laden, that caution has been augmented with a worldwide travel alert, a short-term notice for U.S. citizens in effect through August 1st. It cites the “enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counterterrorism activity in Pakistan.”
On the other hand, since there is no specific threat to share, the Department of Homeland Security is stopping short of issuing an alert under the new National Terrorism Advisory System that does away with the former color coded model.
Many travelers who spoke with NY1 say the heightened warnings won’t change their summer vacation plans.
“To tell you the truth it doesn’t really affect me in any way. I wasn’t really afraid to travel before and I don’t think I’m going to be afraid to travel now. So the fact that Osama bin Laden has been killed doesn’t really change anything,” said one city resident.
“Ultimately he would have died from old age or us capturing him or being bombed so I don’t think it’s the event that is going to trigger a whole lot of other stuff,” said one city tourist.
For an older generation on the road, some swear by the protective confines of a group.
“We’ve done a lot of traveling since 9/11, we’ve done South America, Antarctica, Israel and when you travel with a tour or with major company, you’re safe, it should not inhibit you, I think if I was younger or more adventurous and traveling on my own I think I would be a little more concerned,” said one tourist.
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