U.S. State Department Issues ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory for 21 Countries
The U.S. State Department has recently expanded its list of countries with “do not travel” advisories, now encompassing a total of 21 nations. This alert is intended to warn American citizens about various safety threats present in these regions.
Countries Under “Do Not Travel” Advisory
As of now, the following countries are designated with a “do not travel” advisory:
- North Korea
- Burkina Faso
- Yemen
- Iran
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Afghanistan
- Lebanon
- Central African Republic
- Belarus
- Iraq
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Haiti
- Libya
- Somalia
- Russia
- Burma
- Mali
- Sudan
For a comprehensive list and further details regarding travel advisories, visit the U.S. Department of State.
Understanding Travel Advisory Levels
The U.S. State Department categorizes its travel advisories into four distinct levels:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions.
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution.
- Level 3: Reconsider travel.
- Level 4: Do not travel.
Shift in Travel Behavior
Despite the advisories, recent assessments indicate that American travelers are still showing significant enthusiasm for travel this year. According to the U.S. Travel Association, spending on travel within the United States increased by 0.8% as of March, reflecting continued public interest in travel.
Consumer confidence in the economy has shown a downward trend; however, this has not deterred efforts to plan upcoming trips, with record numbers of Americans indicating they intend to travel in the next six months.
International Tourism Trends
The U.S. tourism industry forecasted a robust year for international visitors, expecting numbers to rebound to pre-COVID levels. However, early data for 2025 shows a decline, with reports of 7.1 million international visitors recorded, indicating a 3.3% drop compared to the same period in the previous year.
Factors such as political tensions and rising tariffs have influenced foreign travel to the U.S., with some individuals choosing alternative destinations.
