Dec. 11--Turkey: Because of recurrent and ongoing threats against U.S. government facilities in Istanbul and Ankara, tourists have been advised against visiting the U.S. consulate compounds in these cities. Because the situation is ongoing, travelers are urged to check the State Department website and call consular offices in lieu of in-person visits.
India: Heavy rains led to major flooding in some areas of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, with the city of Chennai and surrounding areas hit hardest. The Chennai International Airport closed temporarily, and though it reopened, some carriers had not resumed normal flight operations. Some areas continued to have power outages, unreliable cellphone service and flood damage. Tourists should follow local news updates for road closures and other potential hazards.
Indonesia: Officials announced that Mount Bromo, a popular climbing spot with tourists, became active Dec. 5, with seismic activity at a level 3 alert on a 1-4 scale. Tourists are forbidden to go within 1.5 miles of the East Java volcano. Residents have not been evacuated, but experts believe an eruption is possible within weeks.
Tanzania: The U.S. State Department released its 2015 Crime and Safety Report, which indicates that the country has a critical level of crime, particularly in large cities such as Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza and Stone Town. (Dar es Salaam had the highest crime threat rating.) Threats of crime from muggings and kidnappings to terrorism and political violence are listed as serious concerns throughout the country. Travelers should keep up to date with travel alerts and regional safety information before visiting.
Thailand: Travelers are being urged to avoid unethical elephant tourism, which includes riding the animals and even receiving massages from them at many of the country's popular beaches. Animal-rights activists say that many of the elephants used for these purposes are severely abused and often taken from their mothers while still very young. Many are housed in cramped living spaces and are poorly fed.
Compiled from news services and travel sources. For updates, check with the State Department at 888-407-4747, www.travel.state.gov.
Larry Habegger and Dani Burlison are freelance reporters.
