Travel advisors are often asked “Is it safe?” in reference to specific destinations. That’s a tough question, because your definition of what is safe might be different than theirs. Not only that, situations impacting traveller safety and security are constantly changing.
The best advice in that situation is to refer them to online resources that are trusted sources. The U.S. government has a comprehensive Travel Advisories website, as does the UK, with its Foreign Travel Advice resource.
With consulates and embassies around the world, the Government of Canada also has lots of ears to the ground to gather intelligence on security conditions for Canadian travellers.
Our Travel Advice and Advisories (TAAs) use official Government of Canada information to offer advice on safety conditions abroad, with the goal of helping travellers make informed and responsible decisions.
TAAs offer accurate and up-to-date information on situations that may affect the well-being of Canadians when they are travelling or living outside of Canada. The reports include health, safety and security considerations, impacts of local laws and culture, exit and entry requirements and climate and natural disasters.
Travel advisors are frequently asked about the safety of destinations. (Photo Credit: Dragana Gordic / Adobe Stock)
TAAs are distinguished by four risk levels, colour-coded to help identify them:
· Green: Exercise normal security precautions—like you would while in Canada
· Yellow: Exercise a high degree of caution—there are reasons to be more careful in this area
· Orange: Avoid non-essential travel—you should think seriously about whether you need to travel there
· Red: Avoid all travel—high-risk area; we recommend not going there at all
When new information on a destination becomes available, the risk level is reassessed to determine if a travel advisory should be issued, upgraded, downgraded or removed. Global Affairs Canada makes the decision to update TAAs in consultation with the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the foreign destination.
For travellers, it is important to know that if a Canadian Government Travel Advisory is issued for their destination, it may affect their travel insurance. Find out more by following this link.
A Canadian government consular officer has the following advice for Canadian travellers:
"Before going abroad, there are a few key things that Canadians should do to avoid difficult situations. Canadians should have a good travel insurance policy, a financial situation that guarantees they have enough money to pay for a flight back home or to retain the services of a lawyer, as well as a good understanding of the laws that could impact them, including dual citizenship and import and export laws."
Here are links to more government resources for Canadians travelling or living abroad:
About consular services
Canadian Consular Services Charter
Registration of Canadians Abroad
Embassies and consulates by destination
Request emergency assistance
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