Travel Warnings | travelmoments.ca

Visa Freedom to USA for the Baltics? Say hi to ESTA!

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Eva-Maria

In November 2008 a few more countries, including Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, were grated the long-awaited visa freedom to the United States of America. This “freedom” is really a Visa Waiver Program. At this time citizens of Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdomis can take advantage of the program.

As of this year USA established an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), meaning that nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the United States. This is a mandatory procedure for all travellers.

This electronic application system is kind of an “electronic visa” – and by applying for it on a dedicated web site, you can be either approved or denied. You are basically eligible if you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Visa Waver Program, if you have a machine-readable/biometric passport that complies with all the requirements, if you intend to travel to the US as a non-immigrant visitor for up to 90 days, arrive on a “signatory carrier”, can present your return ticket and pose no threat to the welfare, health, safety, or security of the United States.

In the application you will be asked the state your address, contact information, birth date & place, your passport information, arrival flight info, your address while in the US – and also questions about your health, possible criminal record or previous deportation from the US.

The US authorities are taking it very seriously, as in order your Travel Authorization to be approved, you have to:

* Establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting United States Customs and Border Protection Officer that you are entitled to be admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and that you are not inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
* Waive any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.
* Reaffirm, through the submission of biometric identifiers (including fingerprints and photographs) during processing upon arrival in the United States, your waiver of any rights to review or appeal of the admissibility determination of the United States Customs and Border Protection officer, or contest, other than on the basis of an application for asylum, any removal action arising from an application for admission under the Visa Waiver Program.

Currently there is no fee to apply for a travel authorization. However, there may be an application fee in the future.

You can find more detailed info about the Visa Waiver Program and about the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/WebHelp/ESTA_Screen-Level_Online_Help_1.htm

You can apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization here: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

You have to fill out the form in English, but the instructions are in many different languages, including Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Hungarian, Spanish, Portugese etc.

Hotel booking scam: Beware of being redirected to fake web sites!

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Eva-Maria

Historically, it is when the industry in a tailspin that fraudsters seek to prey on it. This time around is no different as according to fraudtip.com…

“A well-organized online fraud is scamming over 71,000 travelers each month as they book rooms online at some of America’s best known hotel chains, including Hyatt, Clarion, TraveLodge, Comfort Inn, Red Roof, EconoLodge, Super 8, Ramada, Days Inn, and Wyndham”.

The report notes that the “scam casts a big net and is evolving daily”, it “combines advanced online advertising, bogus hotel locators, third-party reservation systems, and an Internet browser virus to redirect hotel guest traffic to fake versions of well-known hotel chain websites” with the “hardest hit (being) Super 8 Motels, Days Inn, and Ramada”. Per the report in Fraudtip, it is estimated that an astounding 50,000 travelers seeking out these hotels are redirected to the bogus sites each month!

Source: http://www.fraudtip.com

Thai tourism officials accommodate foreign tourists

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Eva-Maria

The Tourism Authority of Thailand says the Thai government is “very concerned about the welfare and safety of all foreign nationals in the country” in the wake of anti-government demonstrations that, among other things, have closed Bangkok’s airport and “all relevant government agencies and private sector associations were providing facilitation in the form of accommodation, meals, etc.” to those unable to leave the country. Furthermore, the government will try to reopen Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports as soon as possible, the tourism authority says. “All other locations, tourist destinations and attractions nationwide are not being affected by this situation and are very safe for travel purposes,” says the tourism authority. The 35 TAT local offices have been told to facilitate tourists travelling at the various tourist destinations in Thailand, as well as those who are waiting for flights at provincial airports. For tourists and travellers who haven’t been able to travel to their destination as planned, the TAT and Ministry of Tourism and Sports have provided accommodation and meals, as well as “facilitated tourists as much as possible until they are able to return to their destination.” (http://www.atta.or.th , info@atta.or.th)

Travellers advised against non-essential travel to Mumbai

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Eva-Maria

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada is advising against non-essential travel to Mumbai, India, after Nov. 26 and 27 shootings and explosions occurred simultaneously in several locations in South Mumbai. More than 100 people were killed. Travellers are also warned not to travel to the northeastern states of Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Assam due to armed robbery, kidnapping and terrorist activities. Insurgent groups have launched attacks on public buildings and public transportation. Foreign Affairs Canada also advises against all travel to the following regions: Jammu and Kashmir, with the exception of Ladakh via Manali or by air to Leh, due to ongoing conflict and terrorist violence, and the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal, as well as the border areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and areas of Ladakh. (http://www.voyage.gc.ca)

Hurricane Paloma: Some damage to Cuba, clear for the Caymans

Posted on November 10, 2008 by Eva-Maria

People stand on the ruins of their houses destroyed by Tropical Storm Paloma in Santa Cruz del Sur Camaguey, Cuba November 9, 2008. Xinhua/Reuters Photo

People stand on the ruins of their houses destroyed by Paloma in Santa Cruz del Sur Camaguey, Cuba November 9, 2008. Xinhua/Reuters Photo

As Hurricane Paloma passed the Cayman Islands Saturday, the “all clear” for the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman was issued. In the wake of Paloma, Grand Cayman returned to business as usual yesterday. Owen Roberts International Airport re-opened Nov. 8 for all inbound and outbound flights. Hotels on the island are currently accepting reservations and new guests.

“It is essentially business as usual in Grand Cayman and we look forward to once again welcoming visitors to our idyllic island destination,” said tourism minister Charles E. Clifford. “Damage assessment continues in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Our first priority is to provide for the safety and basic needs of our fellow citizens on the Sister Islands.” He added, “while Paloma passed 30 miles away from Grand Cayman, sparing us, it strengthened considerably before it hit the Sister Islands.”

Cuba wasn’t quite that lucky. Although Paloma had weakened from a Category 3 storm to a tropical depression while moving across eastern Cuba’s Camaguey province, it roared over Cuba Saturday night with strong winds exceeding 240 kph.

Local media reported Sunday that the hurricane had caused “considerable damages in Camaguey as well as in the nearby territories of Tunas and Ciego de Avila.” Hundreds of thousands of people had been evacuated before Paloma made landfall in Cuba. No deaths or major injuries have been reported so far.

Cuba has been battered by successive hurricanes in recent months, as Gustav and Ike damaged nearly 440,000 homes and forced almost two million people into temporary shelters. Paloma was the eighth hurricane of a busy Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ends Nov. 30.

Islands dodge Hurricane Omar

Posted on October 21, 2008 by Eva-Maria

Hurricane Omar approaching Puerto Rico. Photo by AP

The 15th hurricane of the season dissipated in the Atlantic last week after passing by several major Caribbean islands. The category three hurricane caused some flooding and minor damage in the Northeastern Caribbean. The following reports have been issued:

• St. Kitt’s: minimal damage, airport open; some standing water and beach erosion; no reports of serious damage to hotels, most of which have already been reopened for business.
• St. Maarten: no deaths or significant damages to infrastructure or hotel sector; some beach erosion and scattered debris; airport open. Roads were flooded and littered with tree branches and other debris. Two hotels – Divi Little Bay Beach Resort and Royal Islander Club – might close temporarily after heavy water and wind damage. A disco and restaurant at the Caravanserai Resort were destroyed, and construction of 260 new rooms might be temporarily halted.
• Bonaire: 48 hours of rain resulted in beach erosion, trees down, standing water in low-lying areas and loss of planking on docks; hotels, roads and airports all open.
• St. Croix: minor flooding, some damage to trees and boats. Ports were closed, the island’s Hovensa oil refinery, one of the 10 largest in the world, shut down operations for the storm.
• Antigua: At least 30 people were evacuated, emergency officials in boats rescued people stranded on their roofs as floodwaters rose and lifted some homes from their foundations.
• British Virgin Islands: emerged largely unscathed, said Deputy Gov. Inez Archibald, noting there was little damage beyond some mudslides and scattered debris.
• Puerto Rico: On the Puerto Rican island of Vieques, the storm flooded roads and downed tree branches. One death was reported on Puerto Rico’s tiny island of Culebra. Authorities say a 55-year-old man collapsed from cardiac arrest while trying to install storm shutters on his house.

Hurricane Omar forced at least three cruise ships to divert course. Flights were canceled on several islands.

Hurricane Ike – link to some thought-provoking pictures

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Eva-Maria

Galveston, TX, 13 Sep, 2008

This is something I wanted to share with you – a friend sent me a link of pictures reflecting the aftermath of Hurricane Ike…

Click here to see the pictures posted by Alan Taylor

In its brief lifespan of only 13 days, Hurricane Ike wreaked a great deal of havoc. Affecting several countries including Cuba, Haiti, and the United States, Ike is blamed for approximately 114 known deaths (74 in Haiti alone), and damages that are still being tallied, with estimates topping $10 billion. Many shoreline communities of Galveston, Texas were wiped from the map by the winds, storm surge and the walls of debris pushed along by Ike – though Galveston was spared the level of disaster it suffered in 1900.

Looking at the numbers - many lives were lost, but there is no account for how many lives were shattered by loss and damage to the homes and workplaces. Only after seeing those images you can start to imagine the whole scale of the devastation…

Hannah and Ike… What’s next?

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Eva-Maria

SALVO, North Carolina (Reuters) – Hurricane Ike menaced Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico as a potentially ferocious storm while Tropical Storm Hanna began a rain-swept march up the U.S. Atlantic coast after barreling ashore on Saturday in the Carolinas.

The densely populated Miami-Fort Lauderdale area in south Florida was not out of the line of fire from Ike, a powerful Category 3 hurricane, and visitors were ordered to flee the vulnerable Florida Keys island chain from Saturday.

Computer models, however, indicated Ike was increasingly likely to target Cuba as a devastating Category 4 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson intensity scale, presenting a severe threat to the crumbling colonial buildings of Havana.

The storm might then curve into the Gulf of Mexico in the wake of this week’s Hurricane Gustav, plowing toward an area that produces a quarter of domestic U.S. oil, and slamming ashore near New Orleans, which was swamped and traumatized by Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

The deeper Ike goes into Cuba, the weaker it will be once it re-emerges over the Gulf of Mexico early next week, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Hanna, meanwhile, did not reach hurricane strength before sloshing ashore between North and South Carolina overnight.

Ike was far more threatening than Hanna as it charted a course that would take it through the Turks and Caicos islands and southeastern Bahamas toward eastern Cuba, where it was projected by the hurricane center to pummel a long stretch of coastline.

Once in the Gulf of Mexico it might find deep warm water to allow it to grow bigger and stronger, although Hurricane Gustav may have stirred up colder water from the depths before crashing into Louisiana on Monday.

By 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT), Ike was located around 210 miles east of Grand Turk Island and moving toward the west-southwest at 16 mph (26 kph), the hurricane center said. Its top winds of 115 mph (185 kph) made it a weak Category 3 hurricane. Category 3 and higher storms are known as “major” hurricanes and cause the most damage. Katrina was a Category 3 when it struck near New Orleans on August 29, 2005, swamping the city and killing 1,500 people on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Ike’s winds were projected to peak at 132 mph (213 kph) just before landfall in Cuba in 48 hours.

South Florida, where up to 1.3 million people could be forced to evacuate, was preparing for Ike. Visitors were ordered to evacuate the Florida Keys on Saturday and residents were ordered out beginning on Sunday. Officials in Miami urged residents not to be complacent.

Storm alerts were issued for the Turks and Caicos islands, the Bahamas, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and would likely be issued for eastern Cuba later on Saturday, the hurricane center said.

The alerts in Haiti included the city of Gonaives, where at least 495 people died this week when it was flooded by up to 16 feet of muddy water after Hanna dumped torrential rain on the island of Hispaniola, a police commissioner said. In total, Hanna killed 529 people in Haiti.

The Bahamian government sent soldiers and emergency supplies to Mayaguana and San Salvador, southern islands left short of food and water by an overdue mail boat.

Tropical Storm Josephine, meanwhile, dissipated far out in the Atlantic, knocking out the weakest of three storms that followed Gustav’s rampage through the Caribbean to Louisiana.

Travel warning for Thailand

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Eva-Maria

Foreign Affairs Canada is advising Canadians travelling to Thailand to exercise extreme caution after the Government of Thailand declared a state of emergency in Bangkok yesterday due to ongoing violence between pro- and anti-government forces. Travellers are also advised to follow the advice of local authorities and avoid gatherings and areas targeted by protestors. Significant political demonstrations have been reported in Bangkok and travellers are advised to stay away from areas where they might occur. As a result, significant traffic delays, as well as disruptions and suspensions to air and rail services, have been reported. Canadians are encouraged to verify travel schedules and services with local authorities or travel service providers prior to departure as further disruptions may occur and delays can be expected. Travellers may also encounter additional security measures, such as road checkpoints.

Gustav’s destruction finished

Posted on September 1, 2008 by Eva-Maria

Hurricane Gustav has made it into the “breaking news” as New Orleans has narrowly escaped its wreath. Everyone was fearing the repeat of Katrina – but Gustav actually lost its grip and was downgraded to category 2 before it hit the land near Cocodrie, a thinly populated town west of New Orleans, leaving towns to the west, such as Lafayette and Baton Rouge intact.

Gustav had already wrought devastation across the Caribbean. It first struck the Caribbean last Tuesday, killing 76 people in Haiti and eight in the neighbouring Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola. The hurricane weakened to a tropical storm before hitting Jamaica making a long sweep across the island, ripping off roofs and bringing down power lines. There were no reported casualties or injuries after Gustav hit the Cayman Islands on Friday, but intense winds of up to 130kph (80mph) tore down trees while heavy rains flooded streets.

Gustav gained strength before it hit Cuba as a powerful category four hurricane. It made a direct hit on the Isla de la Juventud, south of the Cuban mainland, on Saturday, with winds reaching 220kph. As the storm marched across Cuba’s western tip, it damaged or destroyed 86,000 homes. Gusts reached 340kph in the western town of Paso Real del San Diego — a new wind speed record for a country often hit by major hurricanes. Luckily – nobody was seriously hurt and most of the 250,000 residents evacuated to shelters were back home by yesterday evening.

No serious damage has been reported from the major resort areas in Cuba and Dominican Republic.

The Jamaica Tourist Board reports it is business as usual as there was little or no damage to the island’s resorts and attractions following a brush with tropical storm Gustav. Most entities were up and running during and immediately after the storm. Both international airports in Kingston and Montego Bay reopened on Friday. As of Monday (Sept. 1), power had been restored to 92 per cent of the country. No structural damage to hotels has been reported.

The Florida Keys tourism infrastructure also escaped significant damage from Hurricane Gustav’s tropical storm-force winds that brushed over the Lower Keys and Key West late Saturday and early Sunday morning. Impact was primarily confined to some downed foliage and water on several seaside roads in Key West. The Keys infrastructure is fully functional and there were no resident or visitor evacuations for the storm. Key West Airport remained open throughout the storm and commercial air service resumed normal operations Sunday.