U.S. State Department Issues Holiday Travel Warning

 TRAVEL ALERT

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department is warning Americans traveling abroad to be extra cautious over the holidays.

 In a worldwide travel alert issued Friday, the department says an attack this week in Australia highlights the need to be vigilant. The alert says U.S. citizens traveling abroad should be mindful that terrorist groups, or those inspired by them, can pose unpredictable threats in public venues.

 The alert says an analysis of past attacks and threat reporting strongly suggests that terrorists are focused on hotels, shopping areas, places of worship and schools.

  A gunman in Sydney took 17 people hostage at a café on Monday. The siege ended 16 hours later in a barrage of gunfire that left two hostages and the Iranian-born gunman dead.

 The travel alert lasts into March.

U.S. Issues Global Travel Alert!

Kutoka:  http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0802/U.S.-embassies-closed-Worldwide-travel-alert-based-on-terror-threat

The United States issued a global travel alert Friday, citing an al-Qaeda threat that also caused the State Department to close its embassies Sunday around the Muslim world.

The State Department warned American citizens of the potential for terrorism particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, with a possible attack occurring or coming from the Arabian Peninsula.

"Current information suggests that al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August," the statement said.

The alert asks American travelers to take extra precautions when traveling overseas and suggests they sign up for State Department alerts and register with consulates or embassies in the countries they are visiting.

The alert was posted a day after the US announced it would close diplomatic facilities on Sunday because of an unspecified threat. Spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department acted out of an "abundance of caution" and that some missions may stay closed for longer than a day. Sunday is a business day in Muslim countries.

Security Alert - Dar es Salaam - Majambazi

SECURITY ALERT! Dar NOT SAFE at NIGHT !! ARMED ROBBERS robbing / hijacking cars, robbing people, restaurants, supermarkets open at night. They come in with Land Cruiser & Sub Machine Gun. Their hair style look like cops / marines. In red T-shirts & white shirt. They robbed off at Unique Restaurant in West Upanga opp. Jamat Khana an hour ago. Please be careful & do not move around town unnecessarily at nights even in cars! Please pass this message to all your near & dear ones.

Tanzania is Safe for Tourists - Tanzania ni Salama Kwa Watalii

THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM

PRESS RELEASE

Tanzania is a Safe Tourist Destination

___________________

Tanzania is land of peace and the country is determined to sustain that positive reputation.

Following recent incidents of kidnapping tourists, which happened very far from the territorial borders of Tanzania in the North, we have noted a growing concern about the safety of visitors to the East Coast of Africa. Indeed, there have been several travel warnings pointing at East Africa, including Tanzania.

As the Minister responsible for Tourism matters in Tanzania, I would like to reassure our visitors, both those who are already in the country as well as prospective ones that Tanzania continues to be one of Africa’s safest and most enjoyable destinations.

Due to the threats, Tanzania has intensified security measures to ensure that its people and the visitors remain safe. Security apparatus in the country are working closely to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to tighten security in the Tanzania territorial waters as well as in the hinterland.

It is my sincere hope that the incidents that happened far away from the territorial borders of Tanzania should not be the cause for panic nor cancellation of travel plans to Tanzania.

We would therefore like to assure all our esteemed visitors intending to travel to Tanzania at any time that they are welcome and that all necessary precautions have been taken to make sure they are as safe as possible.

‘Karibu Tanzania’.

Hon. Ezekiel M. Maige

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism

6th September, 2011
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JAMHURI YA MUUNGANO WA TANZANIA


WIZARA YA MALIASILI NA UTALII



TAARIFA KWA VYOMBO VYA HABARI


Tanzania ni Salama kwa Watalii

Tanzania ni kisiwa cha amani na nchi imenuia kudumisha sifa hiyo nzuri.

Kufuatia vitendo vya kuteka nyara watalii ambavyo vimetokea upande wa Kaskazini, mbali na mipaka ya nchi yetu, tumeshuhudia hofu inayoendelea kukua kuhusiana na usalama wa watalii wanaotembelea Mashariki mwa Afrika. Kwa hakika wasafiri wanaotembelea Mashariki mwa Afrika, ikiwemo Tanzania, wamekuwa wakionywa wachukue tahadhari.

Kama Waziri mwenye dhamana ya masuala ya Utalii, ningependa kuwahakikishia wageni, ambao tayari wako nchini, na wale ambao wanajiandaa kuja, kuwa Tanzania bado inaendelea kuongoza katika Bara la Afrika kwa kuwa na amani na vivutio vya kitalii vya kufurahisha.

Kutokana na hayo matukio ya hivi karibuni, Tanzania imeongeza udhibiti wa hali ya usalama ili kuhakikisha kuwa wageni na wananchi wanakuwa salama. Vyombo vya usalama nchini vinafanya kazi kwa karibu na Wizara ya Maliasili na Utalii kuongeza hali ya usalama baharini na nchi kavu.

Ninayo imani kubwa kuwa matukio yaliyotokea mbali kabisa na mipaka ya nchi yetu hayawezi kuwa sababu ya kuogopa na labda kukatisha safari za kuja Tanzania.

Kwa hiyo, tungependa kuwahakikishia wageni wetu ambao wanatarajia kusafiri kuja Tanzania kuwa wanakaribiswa waje wakati wowote, na kuwa tahadhari zote muhimu zimeshachukuliwa za kuhakikisha kuwa kadri inavyowezekana watakuwa salama.

Karibu Tanzania.

Mhe. Ezekiel M. Maige

Waziri wa Maliasili na Utalii

6 Septemba, 2011