Canada issues travel advisories to these tourist destinations
Published July 18, 2024 at 3:21 pm
Looking for a last-minute summer getaway?
Travellers may want to check out the latest travel advice before hopping on a plane.
Europe is a popular destination in the summer but large gatherings for the Olympics could present some safety issues. And there are other tourist hot spots with advisories.
The Government of Canada maintains a Travel Advice and Advisories page to help travellers make informed decisions and travel safely outside Canada.
They analyze trends and incidents affecting international travellers, monitor world events and collect updated reports from different sources.
Here are some of the countries with new or updated advisories:
France
Risks: Olympic and Paralympic Games and petty crime
Reasons: The Olympic Games are on in Paris from July 26 to Aug. 11, followed by the Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
If you plan to travel to France during this time, plan your travel accordingly.
During the Olympic Games, especially in Paris, travellers should expect increased presence of security forces, major disruptions to traffic and movement, large crowds and public gatherings, and an increase of petty crime, including theft and pickpocketing.
Dominican Republic
Risks: Crime
Reasons: Crime occurs in the Dominican Republic, including violent crime, especially in major cities. However, most incidents are opportunistic crime which is the most significant threat to tourists.
Petty crime, including pickpocketing and bag-snatching, occurs throughout the country. Tourists are common targets for theft. Crime tends to rise during holiday periods. Theft also occurs from all-inclusive hotel rooms and from hotel room safes, as well as from cars, particularly rentals.
Brazil
Risks: High crime rates and regular incidents of gang-related and other violence in urban areas.
Reasons: Crime rates are high throughout the country, particularly in larger cities. Tourists are mostly affected by theft, but incidents of violent crime have occurred.
Robberies occur regularly and often involve weapons such as guns and knives. Thieves generally target people who appear wealthy, such as those using cell phones and laptops.
Belgium
Risks: Threat of terrorism and petty crime.
Reasons: Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs, particularly in major cities, at popular tourist sites such as the Grand-Place (Grote Markt) in Brussels. Incidents of petty crime on trains along the Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam and Brussels–London routes are frequent.
There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities.
Denmark
Risks: Threat of terrorism and petty crime.
Reasons: Since the beginning of August 2023, there have been multiple incidents of public desecration of the Qur’an in Denmark. Violent extremists have since called for revenge against Denmark.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, luggage snatching and purse snatching, occurs in large cities. It is most common during the tourist seasons, in the summer and winter holidays.
For a complete list of advisories and further information, see the website here.
Lead photo of Drôme, France: Léonard Cotte
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