Now, Nigeria Joins Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, DRC, South Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Venezuela, Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine, North Korea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sudan, Central African Republic And Belarus In Among Such Destinations Tourists Reconsider in 2025 Amid US Travel Warnings

2025 Slip Into cautious optimism about the recovery of global travel, the United States government has released a sweeping travel warning that has discouraged would-be travelers from their plans. US warns citizens about travel to 20 countries in new guidance The US Department of State has warned against all travel to 20 nations as a result of a combination of the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, crime and medical care shortages.

The announcement, which categorizes countries into four tiers of travel concern, put several nations in the top two tiers — Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) and Level 4 (Do Not Travel). The alert extends to some of the most politically sensitive and conflict-prone corners of the world, across continents and among a variety of threats.

The 20 countries on high alert

Nigeria, Libya, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Venezuela, Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine, North Korea, Burkina Faso, Mali, Sudan, the Central African Republic and Belarus were the countries specifically listed in the visa advisory.

Countries were ranked on their domestic security, health infrastructure, risk to foreigners, risks of a health crisis, and factors such as terrorism. The exact reasons differ between countries, but common reasons include instability, crime, political upheaval, and inadequate health systems, violence and underdevelopment.

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Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest and most economically powerful nations, now again finds itself on a registry of countries whose citizens, US officials warn, should think twice before traveling abroad. Terrorism, kidnapping, armed gangs, violent crime and the low quality of healthcare were major reasons, according to the US advisory.

Notably 18 states in Nigeria were designated as high risk states. These are Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and northern Adamawa due to terrorism; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara due to widespread kidnapping; as well as Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo and Rivers (excluding Port Harcourt) due to organized crime and armed gang conflict.

Tolerance of healthcare facilities was also a matter of concern. “The observation of the conditions of Haitian medical facilities indicated that these might not meet the international standards typical of many in North America, and that travellers should bring their own medications, obtain evacuation insurance, not expect to rely on local hospitals in emergency situations.

Africa Suffers Tourism Setbacks

Nations across Africa were hit by the measure, a setback for the continent’s aspirations of a tourism comeback after the pandemic. Countries like Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Burkina Faso, and Mali have all faced internal conflict, militia action, and political instability for years. These alerts further isolate them from foreign tourism markets, a blow to their prospects of inviting in spending visitors that might help form the basis for economic recovery.

Despite its natural wealth and prospects for wildlife tourism, the Democratic Republic of Congo is beset by rebel violence and poor infrastructure. South Sudan has never known any period of peace; Somalia is finally stabilising after years of brutal civil war, but it has yet to establish the kind of security situation under which foreign visitors feel confident of their safety.

Middle East, Central Asia Zones Too Risky Middle East and Central Asia are high-risk zones

Not surprisingly, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Iraq are the most unsafe places to travel. You might want to add another reason: The presence of so much terrorism, continued fighting, lawlessness and government instability just makes these countries too dangerous for foreign tourists and business people.

Historically rich and culturally wise, both Iran and Lebanon have seen a lot of instability over the years due to regional and civil unrest. Their strained diplomatic relationship with the West also adds to the list of travel advisories, and tourists don’t feel safe or supported during their stay.

The only country in East Asia on the list is North Korea, and that’s largely because it’s politically isolated, not represented by a US embassy and has strict travel restrictions that can leave visitors in peril during emergencies.

Haiti and Venezuela Under Scrutiny

Haiti and Venezuela are on top alert in the Western Hemisphere mainly because there is so much political, criminal and public service chaos in each country. Haiti in particular is seeing a collapse of governance, with gang violence holding large parts of the country hostage and no coordinated response from law enforcement.

Venezuela, which has been relatively quiet in recent months, must still address internal tensions, an inflation crisis and public fury. Americans are warned against travel to both countries and give a long list of reasons for the advice, including kidnapping, extortion and shoddy medical care.

Europe’s Tensions: Ukraine and Belarus

The current war between Russia and Ukraine has made Ukraine a very dangerous place to travel with the threat of missile attacks, landmines and the destruction of infrastructure. Belarus, regarded as a Russian ally, has also been cited for increased surveillance, arbitrary arrest and fewer diplomatic avenues. The US advisory calls for all non-urgent travel to be delayed until the situation improves.

Amid Outbreak, Travel and Tourism Industry Faces a Wave of Disruption

This multi-nation advisory comes at a delicate time for global tourism: many nations, whose pandemic-era lows of visitors had only just started to rebound, were forced to halt international flights. The airlines, travel agencies and insurance companies are all recalibrating what they’re offering and covering.

Local economies reliant on tourism, especially in West and Central Africa, are again threatened. Hotels, safari lodges, cultural tour operators and hospitality workers in a range of countries, including Nigeria, Mali and Sudan, are coping with mass cancellations, financial losses and job insecurity.

Humanitarian and NGO Activities Impacted too

And it’s not only leisure travelers who are affected. Humanitarian workers, journalists, business consultants and dual nationals with relatives in such countries face mounting uncertainty. A number of development programs are being suspended and N.G.O.s are reviewing safety protocols or withdrawing altogether from the most dangerous areas.

Dual nationals and diaspora communities are additionally affected and disruptions, of particularly to live and be viewed as belonging ‘over there’ also mean that they cannot travel safely for weddings, funerals, family visits and funerals, which further challenges transnational family relationships.

Healthcare Systems and Emergency Medical Services Under Observation

Of the countries on the list, a recurring subject in the travel advisory is the lack of adequate healthcare systems in multiple of the countries cited. Futile emergency services, uncertain blood stocks, untrained paramedics and fake pills are as much of a risk to visitors and residents of the island. The advisory recommends that all travelers to these regions have medical evacuation insurance and are self-reliant with their medication.

Safety First, But Maybe Change Can Come

While travel alerts are intended for safety, their effects can be broad. And they have implications not only for individual travel plans but also for the broader economic recovery for entire countries.

For countries such as Nigeria, Haiti and the DRC—nations that overflow with cultural diversity and tourism opportunities in waiting—the work is not just managing perception but building up safety, trust, and local infrastructure from the ground up. We may be discouraged from travel at the moment, but we still yearn for connection.

And, as one Lagos travel organizer told me, “Our culture is still here. Our landscapes still inspire. We just need the world to see us not as its warnings, however, however as its wonders safely and in time.”

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