Lawmaker urges update to travel advisory for Dominican Republic
A congressman has asked the US Department of State to reconsider its travel advisory for the Dominican Republic in the wake of a string of still unexplained deaths, while another lawmaker is taking a more proactive approach.
New Jersey congressman Frank Pallone wants a re-evaluation of government travel advice ‘to make sure American travelers have a full understanding of travel risks.’
He wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and FBI Director Christopher Wray concerned over the ‘unexpected and highly suspicious deaths,’ one of which was one of his constituents.
"The shocking and unexpected death shares similar circumstances to the other deaths reported in the Dominican Republic," Pallone wrote.
"I ask that you immediately take steps to update the bereaved families and ensure they are given all information on the cause of their loved one’s death as the investigation continues."
There have now been 10 recent deaths of Americans in the country.
Meanwhile Rep. Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican-American to serve in Congress, says Americans should not be fearful about traveling to the country, but he plans to visit the DR soon to seek answers for himself.
"First of all, I’m concerned about the deaths. I will look into them and I’m sure the U.S. authorities, including the FBI and the Dominican authorities, are looking into the causes of them," Espaillat said.
"I will fight for that to happen, for them to get to the bottom of it."
He said he plans to meet with government and tourism leaders to learn more about the curcumstances surrounding the deaths and current status of the investigations.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025