Indeed, State Department officials have told me that a new, expanded list is on the way, perhaps as early as July. And those same officials have made it clear that entities (that is, safari companies and businesses of all sorts) may be on the list. So, will your safari company be there? What should you do about your booked safari?
My advice is to hang tight on all bookings, as the State Department officials I have spoken with have all shown a remarkable degree of understanding of the role the safari industry plays in wildlife conservation. Plus, it has been reiterated to me several times that the US does not want to "punish" Zimbabwe or do anything with its sanctions program to hurt average Zimbabweans. The targeted sanctions program is just that - a targeted program that is designed to prevent Americans from enriching specially designated government officials. If you have done your due diligence in the run-up to booking your safari, you should be all right. My sense is, only those operators who are egregiously entering into business relationships with banned individuals are at risk of having themselves and/or their companies included on the list.
It is worth noting that a situation like the one in Zimbabwe makes the new Safari Club International Travel Protection Plan very attractive. I say that as an unbiased observer, as I do not sell this coverage or earn any kind of commission on it. You can read about the coverage yourself at: www.huntandtravel.com. Click on "SCI Travel Protection Plan." Or call 800-227-3907.
The Travel Protection Plan is basically Trip Cancellation Insurance, which will........(continued)
