Italy placed itself as the second most visited country in the world in 2024, welcoming a hefty 65 million foreign tourists in 2024. Yet, the US and Canada however keep the country at their “exercise increased caution” travel consulting rating instead of the “take normal precautions “.The US state department issued a new travel advisory on May 23, warning of possible problems in key public places, including hotels, restaurants, bars, transport hubs, shopping areas, playgrounds and cultural activities. ” There is danger of criminal violence, including criminal attacks and other activity in Italy”, The Street quoted the expert. The alert positioned Italy alongside additional Western European nations like France and the UK, where big cities face similar safety hazards. Rome, home to nearly three million people, is considered more vulnerable to such risks than smaller Western capitals like Vienna, Bern or Zagreb, which are now rated at Level 1, “exercise regular measures”. The expert warned that extremists may strike with little or no notice, urging travellers to be vigilant at a variety of popular targets. These include popular tourist spots, travel facilities, shopping malls and industry, as well as local government structures. Resorts, clubs, restaurants, religious websites, parks, and recreational or social events are also considered possible risks. Also, schools, airports, and other public places have been highlighted as places where attacks may appear, underscoring the need for heightened prudence throughout the state. The US advisory system comprises four tiers, with Level 1 being the lowest and Level 4 reserved for war zones or countries under authoritarian regimes. While the Level 2 designation for Italy has not changed in recent years, the newly reissued advisory includes a more specific cautionary tone, although no fresh incidents have been cited. The state department said its advisories are regularly reviewed and updated, however, it did not clarify why this particular update was issued now. A similarly vague advisory for Switzerland issued on 20 May, despite its reputation as one of the world’s safest countries, sparked ridicule across social media. The Italian government has not commented on the renewed US advisory, which encourages travellers to remain vigilant, follow local news, and register with the US embassy before or during their trip. ” Check local media for breaking news”, the notice advised. It further asked tourists to prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. In a broader diplomatic context, the advisory update came as other nations scrutinised travel to the United States itself. The UK foreign ministry updated its own guidance in March 2025, warning citizens to comply strictly with US entry rules amid reports of travellers being detained at American borders. ” You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules”, the advice notes. Meanwhile, in a modest gesture toward improving relations, the US downgraded China’s travel warning from Level 3 ( “reconsider travel” ) to Level 2 in late 2024, a move that drew backlash from Republican lawmakers but has not been reversed under the Trump administration. Tourists heading to Italy in 2025 are advised to stay aware as the peak travel season begins.
