LIHUE — A rare worldwide travel alert has been issued by the U.S. State Department, signaling possible travel risks as terror attacks continue to be planned by al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram and ISIL, which claimed responsibility for the carnage in Paris
LIHUE — A rare worldwide travel alert has been issued by the U.S. State Department, signaling possible travel risks as terror attacks continue to be planned by al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram and ISIL, which claimed responsibility for the carnage in Paris earlier this month.
Authorities said Monday that these planned attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests. Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis.
George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said the HTA is monitoring the potential impact the State Department’s worldwide travel alert may have on the state’s visitor industry.
“At this point, it is too early to determine how it may affect Hawaii’s tourism economy,” he said.
In the past year, there have been multiple attacks in France, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey, and Mali. Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theaters, open markets and aviation services.
In addition to the Paris terror attacks, ISIL has also claimed responsibility for the bombing of a Russian airliner in Egypt.
It’s unclear whether and to what degree the alert will impact travel and tourism in Hawaii. The Hawaii Tourism Authority estimates there will be about 21,500 visitors on Kauai on any given day in November, marking a slight increase from a year ago when there were about 20,750 visitors to the Garden Isle on any given day.
The travel alert, announced at the start of the busy Thanksgiving travel week, is set to expire on Feb. 24.
The last time the State Department issued a similar worldwide alert was December 2014.
