Travel advisories are a good starting point, not the final word. They tend to offer broad, country-level guidance (often in levels from “Exercise Normal Precautions” up to “Do Not Travel”), but may not reflect every local nuance. As experts say, travel advisories are a helpful starting point, but they’re not the full picture, and you still need to do your own research. In practice, this means looking beyond your government’s warnings. Many experienced travelers even consult multiple countries’ advisories for a fuller picture – it’s common for travelers to check several governments’ travel advisories to compare perspectives. The key is to gather diverse sources so you understand not just the official stance, but also real-time conditions on the ground.

One practical way to broaden your research is by tapping into local information sources, such as regional news outlets, forums, or destination country websites. But what if some of those websites aren’t easily accessible from your home country? Well, technology can help. Proxy services, including paid and free proxies, allow users to route their internet connection through servers in other countries, essentially letting them browse as if you were there.

In other words, if a particular local news site or government webpage is unavailable in your country or is tailored to local viewers, a proxy can grant you access. The great part is that many such proxy services are free, so you don’t need to spend money to use them for research purposes. And unlike solely relying on second-hand information, seeing local reports firsthand (perhaps with the help of translation tools) empowers you to make decisions based on a well-rounded view.

Tips for independent travel research: Consider creating a checklist of sources to review before booking that big trip. For example:

Home Country Advisory: Start with your government’s travel advisory for an overview of risks.
Other Advisories: Check advisories from other nations (e.g. Canada, UK, Australia) especially if your country’s advice seems overly cautious or out-of-date – different viewpoints can highlight different issues.
Local Official Info: Visit the destination’s official tourism board or government site for travelers. Look for local guidelines, entry requirements, or safety notices (using a proxy if needed to view country-specific sites).
Local News & Forums: Scan local news websites and traveler forums/blogs for recent developments. This can alert you to things like regional curfews, upcoming elections, or public sentiments that aren’t mentioned in formal advisories.
Travel Community Input: Read recent trip reports or ask questions on travel communities. Often, other travelers can share on-the-ground experiences (just be sure to vet the credibility of what you read).

Rising Tourist Destinations & the Need for Local Insight

Global travel is booming again, and many countries are seeing tourism growth at record levels. In fact, international tourism worldwide has essentially rebounded to pre-pandemic volumes: there were about 1.45 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, up 11.5% from the year before. Some regions are leading the surge – the Middle East, for example, hosted 95 million arrivals in 2024, which was 32% higher than even its pre-2020 levels. With demand so high, destinations that might have been off the typical travel radar are now welcoming far more visitors.

For instance, some Middle Eastern and Central Asian destinations have seen visitor numbers and tourism revenues skyrocket as they open up to international travelers. In the first part of 2024, tourism receipts (spending by visitors) jumped by triple digits in several places – Kuwait’s tourism revenues rose 232%, and Saudi Arabia’s by 148%, compared to the previous year. Such growth signals that these destinations are attracting interest like never before.

However, rapid growth can come with growing pains or unique local considerations. Travelers heading to these booming hotspots should pay attention to any specific advisories or guidelines: cultural norms might be different, infrastructure could be under pressure from the influx, or there may be regional security situations to research. Checking the latest advisory updates and also reading local sources will prepare you to navigate popular new destinations knowledgeably, whether you’re going on a business trip or a family vacation. For instance, if Saudi Arabia is on your list, you’d want to be aware of local customs and laws (which official advisories do outline) and maybe use a proxy to read Saudi news or expat forums about the current traveler experience there.