DENVER (KDVR) — Passengers at Denver International Airport say they are on high alert after the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory due to increased tensions abroad.
This comes as thousands have been killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“I still have 9/11 in my mind, and I still remember it like it was yesterday, and it scares me,” traveler Kim Brown told FOX31.
The State Department expressed concern about possible violence against Americans, advising U.S. citizens to use extra caution if traveling outside the country.
“I think the most important thing is to always be aware of your surroundings, make sure you understand where you're going before you get there and keep an eye out for each other,” said the traveler Marcus Little.
“Be extremely careful” when traveling
Clint Henderson is a travel expert at The Points Guy. He said such notices are not uncommon but should be taken seriously.
“The U.S. government is saying, 'Look, there are a lot of threats facing Americans right now. There are a lot of people who want to harm us, so you have to be extremely careful if you travel abroad, no matter where you are,” Henderson said.
The Department of State encourages passengers to register for Smart Traveler Registration Program to receive alerts and register travel with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
“I I would advise tourists heading to places like Jordan, Egypt and Israel to be extremely cautious, perhaps more cautious than they would have been in the recent past, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't go places. … It just means you have to take some precautions,” Henderson said.
With so many unknowns, Henderson said the advisory could last through the holidays.
“In this day and age, consumers need to be their own best advocates. Whether it's terrorism or natural disasters like we saw in Hawaii or just aviation disasters, you really need a backup plan when you're traveling,” Henderson said.
It is also recommended to have paper copies of your passport and other important documents when traveling outside the country in case of emergency.
