Forex Articles

The Western world is constantly bombarded with images of warfare and violence from the Middle East. It's natural for travelers to feel uneasy about traveling in any part of the region. But many parts of the Middle East still beckon as culturally rich, geographically beautiful and generally safe travel spots. A handful of nations are the subject of strong precautionary warnings, of course. Among the rest, some are clearly safer than others and many Middle Eastern nations remain robust tourist destinations – or business destinations – that shouldn't be written off through ignorance of individual national circumstances.

According to the Department of State's Worldwide Caution:

Credible information indicates terrorist groups also seek to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East and North Africa. The U.S. government remains highly concerned about possible attacks against U.S. citizens, facilities, businesses, and perceived U.S. and Western interests. Private U.S. citizens are strongly discouraged from traveling to Iraq, Syria, or any other country to join in armed conflict.

In its Caution, the Department of State also warns against visiting Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Yemen due to various issues of unrest. There are no current Travel Warnings or Alerts for Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Jordan. In mid December 2015, the department issued a Warning for some parts of Israel, but the country continues to draw tourists, students and other travelers. Nearby Morocco is often crossed off the tourist trail due to its close proximity to the region; in fact, the North African nation also offers a safe and culturally spectacular destination foreign visitors shouldn't dismiss.

Prior to arranging or embarking on travel to the Middle East – or anywhere in the world for that matter – U.S. citizens should, as a matter of practice, review the Department of State website's Worldwide Caution message. It provides specific, up-to-date precautions regarding travel to every region, including the Middle East and North Africa, based on the most current local issues.

In some cases, it's possible to avoid a country's trouble spots in the event of civil unrest or internal conflict. In Egypt, for instance, violent demonstrations have made major headlines in recent years, but they've chiefly surfaced in Tahrir Square and not at the pyramids, which, at times, have been deserted by tourists scared away by these incidents. The Russian plane crash in November 2015 was in Sinai, less than 150 miles from Cairo and widely visited for its coral reefs and biblical history. When in doubt, talk to locals in the know about safe and unsafe places. Raise any concerns with local hotel staff or even contact the embassy. If locals suggest avoiding a certain area, shift your planned activities accordingly. (For more, see Travel Tips For Keeping You And Your Money Safe.)

If government organizations get wind of an imminent, planned attack, you'll hear about it ahead of time via government-issued alerts and media coverage, assuming you're keeping abreast of current affairs. When you're planning to travel, monitor current news surrounding your planned destination – wherever it is – check the Department of State's Worldwide Caution and factor up-to-date information and precautions into your plans and activities.

Statistically, Americans are more likely to drown in the bathtub, lose their life in a car crash, be struck by lightning or get crushed under their own furniture then be harmed or killed by a terrorist. Of course, the numbers would start to stack up against anyone who blindly embarked on travel to an ISIS breeding ground in a Syrian no-go zone. Granted, terrorist ISIS activity is on the rise; however, terrorism itself does not pose enough of a threat to warrant staying at home or abandoning travel plans to countries generally considered safe.

It's also wise to avoid bringing unwanted attention to yourself by failing to adhere to cultural norms. As with travel to any foreign nation, research the local culture before you depart and adhere to it while you're there. If you're traveling to a religious country or area, be careful to dress modestly and respect local customs and behavior especially about even casual contact with the opposite sex. It's not only a sign of respect; it also lets you better blend into the background. The more you stand out as foreign, the more vulnerable you become to predators. Remain aware of your surroundings, beware pickpockets and don't get sucked in by vendors and scam artists who prey on unsuspecting visitors. And if you're traveling to a beach destination, do your homework as to what's acceptable attire and what's not.

Always share your itinerary with friends and loved ones prior to travel. As an added safety precaution, the U.S. Department of State advises American travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). The program allows U.S. nationals and citizens to easily register their foreign travel plans with the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrollment benefits are threefold:

1. The U.S. Embassy can easily contact you in any emergency.

2. Friends and family are able to get in touch with you in the event of a problem.

3. You'll receive important information regarding safety conditions from the Embassy that will enable you to make informed decisions about your travel plans.

The Middle East is certainly home to a number of no-go zones; however, these issues are unique to each nation and do not apply to the entire region. Traveling to safe foreign nations when others are deterred by global nervousness about a whole region can expose you to a much more authentic cultural experience since you won't be surrounded by hoards of tourists. Just remember to observe basic precautionary measures and be prepared to change plans when warranted.

Keep abreast of global news events in the lead-up to the trip; book through an agency that specializes in the Middle East (and ask it about safety concerns); register with STEP and stay up-to-date on the latest government warnings. Finally, adhere to local customs and dress code as much as possible, and remain aware of your surroundings.