Helpful links and more from the Canadian government about its Travel Advice and Advisories

These advisories help both travelers and travel advisors

Helpful links and more from the Canadian government about its Travel Advice and Advisories

An informed traveller is a happy traveller – and the same could be said for travel advisors.

With that in mind, the Canadian government is reminding the travel industry about its indispensable Travel Advice and Advisories.

Global Affairs Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories (TAAs) are official Government of Canada information and advice on safety and security conditions abroad to help travellers make informed and responsible decisions about their travel.

As Global Affairs Canada notes, “TAAs give travellers accurate and up-to-date information on situations that may affect their safety and well-being when they are travelling or living outside of Canada. This information may relate to health, safety or security considerations, local laws and culture, exit and entry requirements or climate and natural disasters.”

The federal government closely monitors safety and security conditions in foreign countries, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Based on reliable information, the TAAs are updated to respond to events that may affect the personal safety and security of Canadians abroad.

Travel professionals are well acquainted with the four TAA risk levels, but just in case anyone needs a refresher course, they are …

Green: Exercise normal security precautions as in Canada
Yellow: Exercise a high degree of caution. There are reasons to be more careful in this area
Orange: Avoid non-essential travel. Travellers should think seriously about whether they need to travel there
Red: Avoid all travel. High-risk area and the federal government recommends not at all

When new information on a destination becomes available, the risk level is reassessed to determine if a travel advisory should be issued, upgraded, downgraded or removed. Global Affairs Canada makes the decision to update TAAs in consultation with the Canadian embassy, high commission or consulate responsible for the foreign destination.

Clients should also know that if a Travel Advisory is issued for their destination, it may affect their travel insurance, and they should carefully read the terms and conditions of their insurance policy.