South Sudan Joins U.S. Travel Advisory List: Implications for Tourism Sector
The U.S. has placed South Sudan on its ‘Do Not Travel’ list due to rising violence and instability, alongside Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Libya, Ukraine, CAR, and Haiti. This advisory will severely impact South Sudan’s struggling tourism sector, with expected declines in bookings, reduced airline operations, and decreased foreign investment, while the global tourism industry must navigate increasing dangers in several countries.
On March 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of State placed South Sudan on its highest-risk “Do Not Travel” list, alongside countries like Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Libya, Ukraine, the Central African Republic, and Haiti. This decision is attributed to escalating violence, armed conflict, and rampant crime, effectively marking South Sudan as a non-viable destination for tourism. Consequently, airlines may curtail flights, travel insurance will be rendered unavailable, and foreign investment in hospitality will likely decline, severely impacting the nation’s fragile tourism sector.
The advisory highlights the critical security issues in South Sudan, such as violent crimes including carjackings, shootings, and kidnappings. Armed groups operate throughout the country, and the easy access to weapons for civilians increases the potential for violence. Additionally, foreign nationals, including journalists, face heightened risks due to the illegal nature of unauthorized reporting, which has led to harassment and in some cases, fatal consequences for those covering the conflict.
Although South Sudan offers opportunities for wildlife tourism and cultural experiences, the current warning essentially extinguishes any hopes for tourism recovery. The limited tour operators focusing on wildlife tourism are certain to experience significant declines in bookings as travel logistics become increasingly obstructed due to reduced or suspended flight operations.
Furthermore, businesses dependent on tourism, such as hotels and transportation services, are expected to struggle financially under the adverse conditions resulting from the travel advisory. The risk profile associated with South Sudan may cause investors to withdraw from potential tourism projects, halting any progress towards development in the sector.
As violence persists, aid workers, journalists, and business professionals may also reconsider their presence in South Sudan, risking total operational withdrawal for organizations currently active in the region. This situation places South Sudan in a concerning category alongside other nations facing strict travel advisories that severely impede tourism and business activities.
Countries like Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Libya, Ukraine, the Central African Republic, and Haiti share similar fates regarding security and tourism. Yemen remains a hotspot for terrorism and civil war; Venezuela is plagued by exceedingly high crime rates; Russia has hostile relations with U.S. travelers; Libya continues to face instability, while Ukraine experiences relentless attacks. The CAR endures armed conflict, and Haiti is enveloped in political chaos.
The proliferation of countries appearing on the U.S. “Do Not Travel” list illustrates a deterioration in global security. It is essential for travelers and businesses to adjust their strategies accordingly, as the growing conflicts and political unrest make many regions perilously unsafe, leading entire nations to become effectively off-limits to visitors. The future steps for countries like South Sudan remain uncertain amidst this volatile climate.
The addition of South Sudan to the U.S. “Do Not Travel” list underscores the grim reality of global travel in the face of increasing instability and violence. This advisory further complicates the tourism landscape not only in South Sudan but also in various other nations facing similar restrictions. As these countries grapple with the fallout and the broader tourism industry attempts to adapt, the potential for recovery remains bleak in many regions now deemed unsafe for travelers.
Original Source: www.travelandtourworld.com
