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Agency Says State Department Warning Has Not Impacted Travel Plans for Rochester Area Travelers

freeimages.com/Andy Stafiniak

The State Department is warning Americans to be alert to possible travel risks, especially during the holidays, following increased threats from militant groups around the world. 

A Rochester area travel agency says it has not noticed any decline in foreign travel since the latest terrorist attacks.

However, Rebecca Mineo, vice president of corporate travel and sales at Van Zile Travel says business travelers who book trips through her agency are more mindful when they are abroad.

"They are more aware of their surroundings. Regardless of the warning, they're making sure they're a little more aware of what's happening, of anything suspicious, just having more of a presence where they are and what's going on there."

Mineo said local travelers are still booking trips to Europe, Asia and South America, and many have domestic destinations for the holidays.

She said her agency passes on whatever government warnings that are current, but doesn't issue any of its own advice to travelers.                          

"I think each person has to decide what's comfortable, and each company has to decide what's comfortable within their policy for employees."

Bedriye Evyapan of Penfield is scheduled to fly to Istanbul, Turkey, with her husband to visit family members next month. She said she's not afraid.                      

"If something is going to happen, it's going to happen no matter where you are. That's my belief."

The State Department travel alert remains in effect until February 24.

Beth Adams joined WXXI as host of Morning Edition in 2012 after a more than two-decade radio career. She was the longtime host of the WHAM Morning News in Rochester. Her career also took her from radio stations in Elmira, New York, to Miami, Florida.