The agency monitors the world for potential trouble and issues warnings from “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions” to “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” alerting would-be visitors to terrorism threats, war, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, high crime rates and other personal security issues.
But have you ever wondered how other countries’ governments caution their citizens about coming to the United States? What kind of reputation does America have?
CNN Travel checked out what the governments of the United States’ neighbors and closest allies have to tell their citizens about coming here. It’s not exactly a flattering picture.
Would-be visitors aren’t being warned off entirely as if America is an active war zone. Each nation has its own approach, but a general theme boils down to this: The United States is more violent than what you’re used to. Learn to take precautions there that you might not have to take at home.
The other takeaway: Violent crime rarely involves tourists.
Here’s more on what nine countries — which account for a good chunk of the US international tourism traffic — have to say:
Australia
In a Global Lessons on Guns, Fareed explores how Australia passed comprehensive gun reform in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre.
So for more than 25 years, Australians have lived in quite a different gun culture than that of Americans.
It goes on to say that “the US has a higher level of violent crime than Australia, but incidents rarely involve tourists.” It does not provide notice of specific incidents “unless there’s a significant risk to Australians.”
Still, it’s not warning its citizens off US travel. As of November 25, it…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CNN.com – RSS Channel – HP Hero…