South Sudan Joins U.S. “Do Not Travel” List Amid Growing Global…

The U.S. has placed South Sudan on its “Do Not Travel” list due to escalating violence and conflict, severely impacting the country’s tourism sector. This advisory limits travel options, hinders foreign investment, and poses dangers for travelers, including aid workers and journalists. The trend reflects a broader global crisis affecting multiple countries with similar advisories, necessitating an industry reevaluation.

The U.S. Department of State has recently added South Sudan to its highest-risk “Do Not Travel” list, alongside countries such as Yemen, Venezuela, Russia, Libya, Ukraine, the Central African Republic, and Haiti. This decision stems from escalating violence, armed conflict, and crime, which significantly diminishes South Sudan’s viability as a travel destination and adversely impacts the global tourism landscape. Airlines are anticipated to cut flights, travel insurance may not be available, and foreign investments in tourism are likely to plummet, further damaging the already fragile tourism sector in South Sudan.

This advisory reflects a disturbing trend of rising global instability where armed conflict, terrorism, and kidnappings are affecting travel and tourism across various regions. Primarily aimed at ensuring traveler safety, these advisories yield profound repercussions not only for local economies but also for broader global travel trends. South Sudan has faced long-standing issues of political instability and ethnic conflict that have now worsened, with the U.S. ordering the departure of non-emergency personnel on March 8, 2025, indicating declining security.

Travel warnings cite risks of violent crime such as carjackings, shootings, armed robberies, and kidnappings, fueled by easily accessible weapons among civilians. Foreign nationals, including journalists, encounter elevated dangers, as reporting without prior approval from the South Sudanese Media Authority is prohibited, sometimes resulting in harassment or fatalities. Ultimately, these escalated risks have rendered South Sudan unsuitable for tourism.

Although South Sudan offers potential for wildlife tourism and cultural experiences, the current advisories have dissolved hopes for tourism recovery. Tour operators featuring adventure tourism and wildlife experiences in the region are likely to face a drastic decline in bookings, while airlines could suspend operations altogether, complicating travel logistics further.

Local businesses involved in tourism such as hotels, guides, and transport services may struggle to remain operational, as foreign investors typically withdraw from countries listed in the “Do Not Travel” category; thus, future tourism development projects are likely placed on indefinite hold. Aid workers, journalists, and business professionals, who frequently visit South Sudan, are now also at risk and may further diminish their operations in light of heightened violence and kidnappings.

South Sudan is now part of a growing list of nations under stringent U.S. travel advisories, facing unique yet severe risks that effectively cripple tourism and business activities. Yemen, for example, continues to be one of the most perilous regions globally, marred by terrorism and civil conflict. The U.S. Embassy in Sana’a has remained closed since 2015 due to security concerns, leaving American citizens without consular services.

In Venezuela, crime levels are exceedingly high, and U.S. citizens have faced detention without due process, leading to a complete closure of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas since 2019. Further, Russia’s hostile stance towards American travelers has escalated since its incursion into Ukraine, resulting in limited diplomatic support for American citizens and increased detentions.

Libya is characterized by rampant lawlessness, with crime and kidnappings prevalent throughout, while Ukraine faces the constant threat of Russian attacks, making certain areas perilous. The Central African Republic has been grappling with armed conflict and violence, with limited U.S. assistance available to travelers, rendering it one of Africa’s most unsafe nations.

Haiti has also succumbed to widespread violence and kidnappings, posing significant risks to anyone attempting to travel there. The overall trend of countries being added to the U.S. “Do Not Travel” list signifies a deteriorating global security environment, wherein conflicts and crime hinder tourism and travel ability.

As more nations appear on this advisory list, the implications for global tourism are profound. South Sudan’s entry into this category illustrates the ongoing issues of instability pervading many regions, compelling the tourism sector to rethink operations in a landscape where numerous destinations may be deemed too perilous. Practitioners within the travel industry and prospective visitors must now meticulously evaluate their plans as affected countries navigate an increasingly volatile world.

In summary, the addition of South Sudan to the U.S. “Do Not Travel” list signifies severe escalations in violence and instability, contributing to a broader global trend impacting tourism. This advisory not only limits travel accessibility but poses grave challenges to local economies and tourism-related ventures in South Sudan. Given the deteriorating security situation, stakeholders within the tourism industry must reassess their strategies as nations grapple with increasing unrest and travel advisories.

Original Source: www.travelandtourworld.com