Feb. 17--India: A newly founded organization, Paryatan Mitra, was created to offer support to tourists visiting Agra, Varanasi and Lucknow. A group of doctors, engineers, activists, tourism members and students who founded the organization hope to curb street harassment and crime against women, assist in legal disputes and start a tourist helpline for those needing general assistance and in case of emergencies.
China: The negative impact of tourism at many of the country's glaciers has led to a soon-to-be enforced ban on visiting glaciers in Xinjiang. The ban, which will be implemented in 2020, is meant to protect the fragile and shrinking glaciers from further erosion and other damage. Many of the country's 21,000 glaciers in Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan and Xinjiang have been shrinking at a fast rate and are expected to be reduced in size by 60 percent over the coming decade, which may lead to additional bans around the country.
France: Border security continues to be ramped up since last November's terror attacks in Paris, causing major delays at many international crossing points into the country. The Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports recently experienced two-hour waits as security personnel took three times as long as usual during document inspections for travelers. Tourists should expect delays and plan ahead when organizing transfers between airports and ground transportation.
Italy: Thirty-eight cases of meningitis have been registered in Tuscany over the last year, resulting in nine deaths. Though health officials are not calling this an epidemic or recommending tourists defer travel to the area, they are recommending that visitors take normal wellness precautions, particularly those with compromised immune systems. Washing hands before meals and after contact with others and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers may prevent infection. Symptoms can include high fever, severe headache, stiffness in the neck and back, nausea and general fatigue.
Timor-Leste: The U.S. Embassy issued a statement reminding travelers that there are no hyperbaric chamber facilities in the country for the treatment of decompression sickness; the nearest are located in Darwin, Australia, and Bali, Indonesia. Specialized scuba diving accident insurance is highly recommended for tourists, as accessing hyperbaric chambers requires costly specialized evacuation ambulances.
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.
