US Updates Maldives Travel Advisory

The U.S. State
Department has just issued a fresh travel
advisory for those eyeing a trip to the popular archipelagic nations of The
Maldives. The advisory level was today elevated from “Level 1 – Exercise
Normal Precautions” to “Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution”. 

With its tropical
environment, pristine white sands, and luminescent blue and green waters,
the Maldives is a destination filled with private islands and prestigious
resorts, attracting the attention of would-be travelers and social media users
from around the globe.

Given its population
of under 600,000, crime is not the primary concern for tourists in this South
Asian country, comprised of about 1,200 coral islands and sandbanks situated in
the Indian Ocean. Instead, terrorism is being cited as the primary cause for
the State Department’s elevated advisory level. 

“Terrorist groups
may conduct attacks with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations,
transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities,”
the advisory reads, adding, “Attacks may occur on remote islands which could
lengthen the response time of authorities.  

The fact that the
state religion of The Maldives is Islam, the extremist group al-Qa’ida in the
Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) is credited as the militant organization responsible
for much of the terrorist activity seen in the country to date. 

According
to the Overseas
Security Advisory Council (OASC), in the past, “Violent attacks and threats
have occurred against members of the local media, political parties and civil
society.” However, “The transnational capabilities of select terrorist groups
and ease of international travel require travelers to be vigilant in their
personal security practices, especially at locations Westerners frequent.”

The State
Department recommends that visitors to The Maldives remain aware of their
surroundings and stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, while avoiding
crowds and any demonstrations. It also advises reading the U.S. Embassy’s web
page, monitoring local media for breaking events and preparing a contingency
plan for emergency situations. 

It also encourages
enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows U.S.
travelers to receive safety alerts and makes them more easy to locate in an
emergency. Other recommended measures are outlined in the official travel
advisory, which can be found here.
 

While the State
Department’s elevated warning level is a signal that it’s more important than
even to remain vigilant while visiting the Maldives, it’s also worth noting
that, as OASC reports, “Most visits to Maldives surrounding the
tourist resorts on remote islands remain relatively trouble-free.”

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