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For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

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UK Civil Aviation Authority issues warning to Hajj travelers

April 3, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

With over 25,000 British Muslims expected to make the Hajj pilgrimage this August, the UK Civil Aviation Authority is launching a campaign to ensure that this often once in a lifetime trip is not ruined by booking through a disreputable company, or those falsely posing as reputable travel agents.

Travelers looking to book their Hajj pilgrimage this year are being warned against deals that seem too good to be true. The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s campaign is working to protect travelers after an increasing trend in the sale of illegal or fake package deals. In the worst cases, these illegal vendors have been prosecuted and imprisoned.

By researching, using a trustworthy and reputable company that will provide you with ATOL protection, consumers can travel with peace of mind. An Air Travel Organizers License (ATOL) protects travelers from losing their money or being stranded abroad. Travel firms selling air holiday packages must have an ATOL and must issue a certificate to travelers to prove that protection is in place.

Paul Smith, Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “As we enter the busy booking period for Hajj travel, we are reminding consumers to research who they are planning to book with to ensure their important trip is protected.

“Using a recommended travel agent is helpful, but it is vital to check that your provider is ATOL protected despite any recommendation you may receive.”

Always follow these top five Hajj travel tips:

– Check for ATOL protection: Look for the ATOL logo on your travel company’s website, brochure, or shop front.

– Research the trip: Some companies will incorrectly claim to have ATOL protection. Check the company’s name on the online database at: packpeaceofmind.co.uk.

– Check if the travel package includes a visa: Appoint a licensed travel agent and ensure that they are arranging a visa as part of the travel arrangements.

– Watch out for hidden costs: Make sure to check the airport and accommodation fees, such as baggage allowance and accommodation transfers, to avoid any surprises.

– Check financial protection if booking with non-UK travel companies: There are some non-UK travel companies which offer Hajj travel to UK consumers, but these will often not be ATOL protected. Do research and check what financial protection they provide.

Travel News | eTurboNews

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U.S. State Department tells tourists Brunei is safe, except for death by stoning

April 2, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

The U.S. State Department is telling American travelers, Brunei is one of the safest countries in the world to visit. Brunei safer than the Bahamas, Germany or Indonesia, and way safer then Turkey.

The U.S. embassy, however, states: Criminal penalties for some offenses are harsher than in the United States. This is a clear and misleading understatement:  When traveling to Brunei the State Department wants travelers to read through a 1767 page document provided by the Brunei government outlining all details of the Syariah Penal Code. This law will be implemented as of April 3, 2019. Regardless the State Department tells U.S. Citizens, the country remains a level one “no threat.” visitors destination.

Why is the U.S. Embassy not telling American tourists, that Brunei actually is ready to stone American travelers to death if they are part of the LGBT community? Is this part of the harsher penalty for the crime of sexual orientation?

The embassy website states:

  • Non-Muslims may be arrested for khalwat (close proximity between the sexes) under the Sharia Penal Code provided that the other accused party is Muslim. Khalwat may include activities from holding hands or public displays of affection to sexual activity. U.S. citizens are also subject to khalwat laws.
  • Extramarital relations between a Muslim and non-Muslim may be considered a crime in Brunei.

eTurboNews asked the State Department and received this response:

The U.S. Department of State has no greater responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas.  We are committed to providing U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions.  We routinely update our Travel Advisories and country-specific information for all countries based on a comprehensive review of all available safety information and ongoing developments. At a minimum, we review Level 1 and 2 Travel Advisories every 12 months, and Level 3 and 4 Travel Advisories every six months.  We also review and update Travel Advisories and country-specific information on an as-needed basis, based on developing security and safety information.

On March 29 the State Department issued  the following paragraph linked from the page categorizing Brunei as a safe country:

“The Government of Brunei Darussalam will commence full implementation of the Syariah Penal Code (SPC) on April 3, 2019. The full SPC introduces new judicial procedures and punishments, including, for certain offenses and under certain evidentiary circumstances, amputation of hands or feet and death by stoning. The SPC applies regardless of an individual’s religion or nationality, although some sections of the law have specific applicability to Muslims. Brunei’s existing civil penal code and civil courts will continue to function in parallel with the SPC and Syariah Court.”

Scott Foster, president of LGBT Hawaii told eTurboNews:

“The response by the U.S. State Department is insulting and is putting LGBT traveler in danger. It should be the obligation for the U.S. government to protect Americans and not put them in harm’s way.
Death by stoning for LGBT travelers should be clearly visible alert on the State Department Brunei page and not hidden in a 1767 document. In no word is the State Department spelling out this danger to LGBT travelers.
The United States should immediately issue a travel warning to protect our LGBT travelers and citizens. The alert level for Brunei should be raised to 4, what means “DO NOT TRAVEL, or at a minimum to a level 3: “Reconsider Travel.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

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