Coming and Going
Talking Turkey

Sunday, July 20, 2008

SAFE TRAVELS
Talking Turkey

The July 9 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul caused some Turkey-bound travelers to question whether the nation is safe for visitors. The State Department posted a message on its Web site, advising Americans in Turkey to maintain a low profile and avoid "facilities where Americans and Westerners are known to live or congregate, especially hotels, restaurants, housing compounds, places of worship, and resort areas." The rationale: Terrorists might seek out "soft" targets now that security at diplomatic sites has been tightened.

So, does that put, say, the Blue Mosque off-limits? What about seaside resorts?

CoGo talked to Ed Daly of iJet Intelligent Risk Systems, which advises corporations on travel and asset risks. He recommended that tourists avoid visiting Western chain restaurants (mentioning McDonald's and Burger King as examples). But as for lodging, he says, "I wouldn't tell anyone to avoid hotels. Most of them operate in what we call 'the red zone,' " with heightened security measures. That's especially true of the big luxury chains, he says, adding that "the smaller ones, the Best Westerns [for example], are low-profile already."

With regard to the three German hikers who were kidnapped on Mount Ararat on July 8, Daly said, "the British and the U.S. government . . . recommend against going to M oun t Ararat[and other] areas where the PKK [Kurdish separatist group] is active," which also include other parts of the eastern and southeastern regions of Turkey.

In general, "a good level of indication is how worried the Turks look," Daly said. In other words, if you see gun-toting security guards somewhere, then the Turks have decided there's a reason to worry, and you should, too. CoGo believes that this rule -- be worried if the locals are worried-- can be extended to travel anywhere. And we never quibble with advice against eating at American chain restaurants while on vacation.

VISITOR WATCH
Not Coming to America

With the dollar so weak against the euro, the British pound and other foreign currencies, you'd think that tourists from around the globe would be flocking to the United States.

But according to statistics recently released by the Travel Industry Association, 2 million fewer overseas visitors came here in 2007 than in 2000, and the cumulative long-term drop-off has caused an estimated $137 billion loss to the U.S. economy.

The association, whose members include major cruise and hotel companies, wants to reverse that trend with passage of the Travel Promotion Act, a $200-million-a-year marketing campaign aimed at foreign visitors. But the airline industry isn't convinced: The Air Transport Association says the act's funding plan, which involves assessing a $10-per-airline-ticket fee on foreigners who visit the United States without a visa, unfairly targets its passengers.

As the bill is being debated, the association and the Department of Commerce have jointly launched a Web site, http://www.discoveramerica.com, whose purpose is to "give international visitors a practical, one-stop source of official and authentic info on the U.S."

BARGAIN OF THE WEEK

AirTran is offering a systemwide sale. Fares from BWI range from $59 to $129 each way; from Reagan National or Washington Dulles, fares range from $69 to $169 each way. The lowest fare ( $139 round trip, including taxes) is from BWI to Burlington, Vt. Best fares apply to Tuesday and Wednesday travel (sale fare on some flights is sold out); 14-day advance purchase required. Other airlines are matching in select markets. Purchase by July 29, and travel through Nov. 12. Buy at http://www.airtran.com, or pay $15 more by calling 800-247-8726.

Reporting: Christina Talcott, Carol Sottili