Osama’s death could curtail North American foreign travel

The impact of Osama bin Laden’s death on the travel industry is too soon to determine but there are already indications that security for air travel will be even more intensified and that it may curtail foreign travel for North Americans.
 

No one can really predict what Al-Qaeda will do next but the US State Department’s warning that Americans should take extra caution if they travel or live abroad will not encourage foreign travel.
 

The US government said, if possible, Americans abroad should stay in their homes or hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.
 

US agencies are said to be at a heightened state of alert.
 

Despite the travel alert, however, Wall Street analysts expect airline stocks to continue their upward ride.
 

Airline shares that have not fared well with rising fuel prices started to edge higher.
 

In its most recent worldwide alert, the State Department says:
 

“The US Department of State alerts US citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan. Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations.”
 

The travel alert is slated to expire on Aug. 1.
 

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not issued any new warnings specific to airport security following news of Osama bin Laden’s death.
 

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano says in a statement:
 

“We remain at a heightened state of vigilance, but the Department of Homeland Security does not intend to issue an NTAS (National Terrorism Advisory System) alert at this time. I have been clear since announcing NTAS in January that we will only issue alerts when we have specific or credible information to convey to the American public."
 

In the meantime, Napolitano says "our security posture, which always includes a number of measures both seen and unseen, will continue to respond appropriately to protect the American people from an evolving threat picture both in the coming days and beyond."
 

Airport officials said police presence and surveillance would be stepped up — even without any new information regarding a credible threat.
 

The Associated Press writes "the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said it will add more police at the facilities it runs, which include the airports."
In Boston, "security at Logan Airport has been beefed up in response to the death of Osama bin Laden even though there is no known threat to the airport," says the AP.
 

Spokesman Phil Orlandella says airport staff have been advised to be "extra vigilant" about anything that might appear unusual. Additionally, Orlandella says Homeland Security and state police are adding extra staffing both curbside and inside the airport’s terminals.
 

Washington, D.C., has already stepped up its police presence at hotels, federal buildings and on the Metro, the city’s subway system, ABC News reports.
 

“For starters, don’t be surprised if the Transportation Security Administration tightens security procedures at US airports in the coming days. The reason is obvious: Bin Laden’s supporters may try to retaliate and airports or aircraft would be tempting targets,” writes Joe Joe Brancatelli in Portfolio.com’s business travel column, Seat 2B
 

He says to expect fast changes in security procedures. Does that mean better? Maybe not but more burdensome certainly.
 

He urges airline passengers to be especially alert in the landside (pre-security) areas of airports such as ticket counters, baggage-claim areas and retail spaces.
 

But some observers wonder whether any revenge scheme of Al Queda would be limited to airports and airlines. Terrorism experts say possible future targets are more likely the public and less protected places such as hotels, restaurants and other congregating places.
 

The most likely targets could very well be hotels, which are almost impossible to secure and police with all their public areas such as lobbies and back-office operations.
 

By David Wilkening