Travel Advisories: State Needs Better Practices for Informing Americans of Dangers Overseas
NSIAD-91-249
Published: Aug 28, 1991. Publicly Released: Sep 03, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the Department of State's policies and procedures for issuing travel advisories and notices of potential dangers to overseas travellers.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should establish written policies and procedures for issuing travel advisories and travel notices, especially for crime. |
Closed – Implemented
State developed a new travel advisory system which includes procedures for informing Americans of overseas crime problems. State has provided guidance to the embassies for reporting potential dangers to Americans, and developed policies and procedures for inclusion in the Foreign Affairs Manual.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should provide country-specific crime information in travel advisories and notices for countries with crime problems. |
Closed – Implemented
State has redesigned the travel advisory system. State now prepares a consular information sheet for each country which includes information on crime problems. State also developed guidance on travel warnings.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should expand the information on crime conditions in the "Tips for Travelers" pamphlets. |
Closed – Implemented
Expanded information on crime is being included in the Tips for Travelers booklet as they are reissued.
|
| Department of State | The Secretary of State should publish and clearly identify the telephone number of the travel advisory recorded message in all public telephone directories and in passports. |
Closed – Implemented
State has included the telephone number for travel advisory recorded messages in passports but not in all telephone directories because of the costs involved. The telephone number has been included in Washington, D.C. area directories.
|
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Topics
Americans abroadCrimesInternational travelSafetyTelephonesTravelPublic officialsCrimeLarcenyDirectories