Responsible Vacation Alert: U.S. Issues a Terrorism Alert for Americans Traveling to Europe

The State Department announced on Sunday that Europe may not be an advisable, responsible vacation option at the moment. Or, rather, they suggested that Americans to be extremely vigilant due to recent information regarding a possible terrorist attack. Is the United States issuing a reasonable warning, or an exaggerated threat?

As reported by the New York Times, U.S. authorities announced that the threat was "credible", but not "specific". Supposedly, the possible attack would be similar to the attack on Mumbai in 2008, which resulted in almost 200 deaths. Analysts received the information from Ahmed Sidiqi, 36, a German of Afghan origin, who'd been trained in Pakistan for a large scale attack on Europe. The attack would likely target England, Germany and France, though Belgium, Italy and other European countries have been mentioned as well.

Sidiqi is not the only one to claim that an attack on Europe is imminent; several British residents of Pakistani origin, detained in Islamabad and Lahore, gave similar information regarding plans of an attack on Europe. Also, yesterday, a man of Algerian origin was arrested in Naples with bomb-making materials. A European arrest warrant had already been issued for him, and the man was extradited to France. On Tuesday, the operator of the Eiffel Tower received a second bomb threat (the previous threat was just a week before). Paris evacuated the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday for the second time.

A travel alert, alas, is no surprise, but is it a good idea? While the alert does not advise Americans against traveling to Europe, it emphasizes the possibility of an attack. Tourists who hope to make responsible vacation choices might carefully contemplate their trip's high risk potential. They could compare it to walking to the top of the mountain in a thunderstorm, and, perhaps, they will stay home. Tourism and student travel could therefore decrease, business meetings might be cancelled, and the economy will endure a few more minor bruises.

On the other hand, this is the kind of warning that comes around frequently these days, and many travelers will ignore it or brush it off. In either case, what's the help of this kind of alert? Does advising people to be "vigilant" improve their safety or just make them paranoid? It seems that, when people choose to change their plans, terrorism wins. Responsible vacation probably means ignoring these kind of "travel alerts" and getting on the plane.  On the other hand, perhaps everyone has the right to know?

Photo credit: Sami Dalouche