The State Department has issued an alert to U.S. citizens, warning of a heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. According to the statement, Americans should exercise caution at holiday festivals, events, and outdoor markets in the continent, according to the alert, in effect through Feb. 20, 2017. It states that there is credible information that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Qa'ida, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a particular focus on the upcoming holiday season and festivities.
"U.S. citizens should also be alert to the possibility that extremist sympathizers or self-radicalized extremists may conduct attacks during this period with little or no warning," reads the statement. "Terrorists may employ a wide variety of tactics, using both conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests."
It goes on to say that while extremists have carried out attacks in Belgium, France, Germany, and Turkey in the past year, "the Department remains concerned about the potential for attacks throughout Europe."
Tourist Numbers Down
Drawing on data from more than 650,000 Americans' travel plans during the peak holiday travel season, travel insurance provider Allianz Global Assistance found a substantial decline in the number of travelers planning on visiting cities affected by terrorism. American visitors to Paris one year after terror attacks at Bataclan theater, is down 12.8 percent during visiting over the 2016 winter holidays, according to the company. Istanbul tourism fell by 60.2 percent while Brussels was down by 19.6 percent.
"By comparison, the top six cities in Europe with major increases of between 16.1 and 30.8 percent added a combined total of 18,073 new travelers -- still less than the amount lost by Paris, Istanbul, and Brussels," according to Allianz. "Those cities that benefited most from the redistribution of American travelers interested in visiting Europe include: Amsterdam, Netherlands, increased by 30.8 percent; Lisbon, Portugal, increased by 29.0 percent; Venice, Italy, increased by 19.6 percent; Vienna, in Austria, increased by 17.5 percent; Munich, Germany, up 16.5 percent; and Budapest, Hungary, increased by 16.1 percent."