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Number of Travel Warnings for People Visiting U.S. Grows

State Department / AP
August 11, 2016

Countries around the world are increasing the number of travel warnings their governments issue about their citizens visiting the United States.

Many countries are issuing warnings over issues such as police and gun violence, the Zika virus, and perceived anti-Muslim and anti-LGBT attitudes in the United States, USA Today reported Thursday.

The warnings are coming from a wide variety of countries, including France, Germany, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the Bahamas, and even America’s neighbor to the north, Canada.

Normally these warnings are issued by countries for foreign locations that are dealing with war, political instability, a recent natural disaster, and diseases.

This could have an effect on tourism to the United States, which brings a great deal of money to the American economy. In 2015, approximately 77 million foreign visitors brought in $218 billion to the U.S. economy.

Britain issued a warning to its citizens because of LGBT issues, according to USA Today.

Britain’s Foreign Office earlier this year issued specific advice to LGBT travelers heading to the U.S. It references laws passed in North Carolina and Mississippi aimed at prohibiting transgender people from using public bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

"The U.S. is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country," adds the website, which also includes a link where British citizens can change the gender listed on their passports.

Middle Eastern countries Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates issued advisories following the Dallas police shootings.

The UAE and its Middle East neighbor, Bahrain, issued advisories after the fatal shooting of five police officers in Dallas on July 9.

"For your own safety ... please stay away from any ongoing or planned demonstrations and protests in cities around the United States," the UAE embassy in Washington said. "Please be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowded places when possible."

The U.S. State Department, which engages in foreign relations and issues traveling warnings for American citizens traveling abroad, replied to these warnings.

"The United States remains a first-rate tourist destination," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner said. "We value the enormous economic benefit that foreign tourists bring to the United States each year."

Published under: State Department