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Clear the Err
Err Travel · September 1, 2000

Last week I eased my way through the Err Travel electronic mailroom. The suggestions offered up by readers were reserved, helpful, friendly.

That was last week. The mail I report on this week is decidedly less cordial.

Ibrahim Al-Attab took issue with my sarcasm in writing of his plans to offer tours of Yemen to foreign women visitors. He asked me to note that since the 1998 incident in which four hostages were killed during a shoot-out between their captors and security forces trying to rescue them, tourist groups are escorted by police on the Aden - Al-Mukalla road.

So noted. But also noted, Ibrahim, is the State Department's Travel Warning earlier this year, as well as… oh, I don't know … little items that pop up in the news now and again such as the Italian archeologist who was kidnapped and held for three days this past week.

Chris Huddlestan took me to task over my prediction that Montreal and Toronto could prove hazardous to unsuspecting travelers because of attention-seeking nuts looking to make a violent strike on North American turf. "Suppose it's true," says Chris, "that stuff could happen in Toronto and Montreal. But a traveller (American or otherwise) probably has a higher chance of misadventure by straying into 'the wrong neighbourhoods' in most major cities in America."

Chris, you're missing the point (not to mention being a tad oversensitive). Terrorists prefer "nice" neighborhoods in which to perpetrate their barbarity.

In the same column, I included a list of dangerous places that Air Security International comes up with every year. On its list were Islamabad and Karachi.

Jamal (no last name) sees this listing as a result of propaganda by India, "which is propagating this bad word in order to earn all of [the] area's tourism revenue. They are very successful because they have very good PR with US authorities."

"I checked your site because I though at least you will not be doing the same. But alas, what a disappointment. Like most of the media and the crazy state department, unfortunately you have also not spared Pakistan from letting it survive."

I've got no beef with Pakistan, Jamal. Robert Young Pelton included the United States on his list of the world's most dangerous places, and I reported that too.

South African Graham Baird became apoplectic after reading what I wrote about his country. Here's what he had to say. "It is quite obvious that you have never visited this country. [He's right.] You have not even managed to get your most basic facts right. Yes, we have our problems - but to this extent, never! Where the hell do you get your information? [The U.S. State Department. If you've got more reliable crime data, I'd be happy to see it. ] This is journalistic sensationalism at its cheapest. The sad part is that ignorant Americans will read this rubbish and take what they believe to be an informed decision and not visit our wonderful country. What a load of s***!!!!!"

Graham, I suggest you not apply for any positions on the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

Dr. Terry Riley is a psychologist and travel security authority. His column appears on Wednesdays. He is author of the popular book Travel Can Be Murder. Visit his site at http://www.appliedpsychology.com or e-mail him at terry@ticked.com.