Bolivia announced on Monday that it will implement a security plan for tourists within weeks, according to local news.

 

Bolivia's Deputy Tourism Minister Ricardo Cox said there is no organized crime in the nation, but recommended tourists take proper measures in response to security advisory.

 

Germany, Spain, the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan and Switzerland have also warned their citizens of possible "express kidnappings" and holdups when traveling by land.

 

The new type of kidnapping has been occurring recently, in part because 80 percent of tourists pay travel to Bolivia independently rather than a tour organized by a travel agency.

 

The deputy minister said holdups have been reduced during the presidency of President Evo Morales, although Bolivia needs to raise awareness of the public about the issue.

 

Cox said he would work with migration authorities, the tourist police and the deputy minister for citizens' security to identify the major risks.

 

In 2006, Bolivia received 515,232 tourists, up from 503,671 in 2005.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 18, 2007)