AAA says international travel is up 22 percent from last year.
/ Jessica Cain
SYRACUSE -- More Americans are traveling out of the country, even with the U.S. government warning about traveling abroad.
According to AAA, international travel is up 22 percent compared to last year.
On Sunday, government officials issued an alert to anyone living or traveling to Europe to be aware of their surroundings after new information surfaced about planned terrorist attacks. FBI and Homeland Security Department officials say there is no direct evidence that terrorists are targeting the U.S. or its citizens.
AAA officials we spoke with say if you're traveling outside of the U.S., you should be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your bags. AAA also has travel advisories posted on its website. You can find additional tips here.
AAA is also suggesting people buy trip insurance. If you had plans to travel to Europe and want to cancel, the insurance would allow you to cancel at anytime and get your money back.
Bill Smullen, Director of National Security Studies at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, stresses government officials are issuing an alert right now, not a warning. He says an alert is strictly a precaution, whereas a warning tells people not to go overseas unless they have to.
“They just need to be aware of their surroundings and the fact that there is a terrorist threat that has been higher now than it typically has been,” says Smullen.
Smullen advises travelers to avoid demonstrations or drawing attention to themselves. He also says it’s also a good idea to stay at an out-of-the-way hotel, and he says if you’re going to a major tourist attraction, bring someone else with you.
Syracuse airline passengers are reacting to the advisory. You can read more about that here.
