Is it safe to go there?

I have noticed quite a few questions on the travel forums asking how safe it is to travel in Bali, Kenya and Thailand at the present time. I have pointed people to the websites of UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk and the US Department of State http://travel.state.gov as being a good source of information not only about the security/terrorist issues in each country but also as useful background reading before traveling.

The information is compiled by local embassy and consulate staff and is updated on a regular basis. They outline all relevant facts and issue advice which ranges from "poses no known terrorist threat" to "avoid all but essential travel".

...all governments have advise and information about where it is safe and where isn't and they don't always tally with what experienced travellers agree with as too dangerous.

I appreciate that the Foreign Office of most governments usually err on the side of caution, and I have personally traveled to a number of countries (eg Sri Lanka, soon after the Central Bank was bombed a few years ago) when the official view is that all but essential travel should be avoided. This was based on local knowledge and experience.

However, what the Travel Advisories do very well is list pertinent facts, for example when there has been a terrorist attack, where it took place and what were the consequences. To a large extent the reader is left to make up their own mind. about safe it is to travel - and that is where local knowledge from fellow travelers comes into its own.