WASHINGTON, D.C. – Summer break and Memorial Day travel is right around the corner. The State Department is urging Americans to stay safe when traveling abroad. They share steps you can take when traveling and the scams to look out for if you’re renewing your passport.
“We understand a lot of people want to travel around the world and we support you but we’re here to support you should something go wrong,” said Mora Namdar, the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs with the State Department.
Before Americans book their flights abroad this summer, officials want to share a few tips.
“The first tip would be to make sure your passport is current,” said Namdar. “A lot of countries wont let you in if it expires in six months.”
The Department said passport renewals can take anywhere from four to six weeks. If you need to renew, travelers should be on the lookout for scams.
“I would always say to go to State Department website if you want to renew your passport so you don’t fall for those scams taking your data or taking your extra money,” said Namdar.
According to the US Travel Association, domestic and international travel spending growth is at a slow but slightly increasing pace. While they expect an increase in inbound international visitors to the US because of the upcoming World Cup, they said higher energy costs and a prolonged conflict in the Middle east could have an impact consumers’ decision to travel. Soon after the US began the war with Iran, the Department issued a caution advisory for Americans traveling worldwide, especially in the Middle East.
“We have different travel advisories for different countries depending on the situation on the ground,” said Namdar. “We also have resources for travelers like where consulates are and embassies are if they need to contact us should they need us. The third tip, which I think is our best one, is to enroll in our STEP program. The STEP program allows us to have direct communications with Americans traveling abroad. They can get alerts, updates straight to their phones or device as things develop, so they’ll always have a direct connection to us.”
