Travel Security:
Foreign Travel

Foreign Travel Security means learning the unique customs and dangers of a foreign land before you go.

Burglar bars trapped 66 who died in a hotel inferno. With no fire alarms, sprinklers or emergency lights in the budget hotel in the Philippine city of Quezon, guests had little warning as fire, and panic, swept through the darkened building. Ornate white burglar bars covered nearly all bedroom windows, forcing many guests to take refuge in bathrooms where their bodies were found later.
Excerpted from The Observer (UK) – 19 August 2001

Before leaving home, learn about the political situation, holidays, volatile sporting events, language problems, and travel security. Never forget that the legal rights you enjoy at home virtually disappear when you leave. Your nation's embassy has limited powers but you should register anyway upon arrival.

Local customs vary and so do the clever criminal teams of men, women, and children – such as offering drugged food and drink to targets, as but one of many examples. See Outdoor-Safety-Pickpockets.

Extremely dangerous areas surround many resort and tourist venues. Violent robberies are common and local police (and/or hotel staff) are often partners with the criminals. Criminals know that tourist-victims rarely stay to file charges, which are usually futile anyway. Always remember: tourists draw predators like blood draws sharks.

Avoid wearing jewelry and expensive clothing, and don't carry your passport. Avoid drawing attention to yourself. Avoid saying anything that may offend people or using hand gestures unless you're sure of their meaning. Just one example: the American hand sign for "OK" (thumb and index finger forming a circle) has very different, insulting meanings in many foreign countries.

Native women in most foreign countries never respond to a male stranger’s conversation. Visiting women should do the same. Any response – whether angry or even a smile – is considered flirtatious and an invitation to pursue her. Simply ignore a male stranger's attempts to talk to you.

Vary your routine and avoid areas where you can be cornered. Stay in a group of friends. If ever lost, don’t act like you are and don't ask directions from street people – they may send you into a trap. Don't use unmarked taxicabs. Ask an established merchant for directions or to call a taxi for you.

Kidnappings for ransom occur in countries with political turmoil, extreme poverty, or weak and corrupt law enforcement. Be especially wary of places such as Angola, Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chechnya, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Thailand, Trinidad, Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe. Tourists are easily targeted because they're easily identifiable, and it’s known there's ransom money behind business travelers. See Hostage/Ransom at Survival-Options-Hostage-Taking.

Carry a family photo to help gain a kidnapper’s sympathy. Beware of unattended bags, and accept no unexpected deliveries at your hotel. Keep quiet about your travel plans.

Observe all of Outdoor-Safety-Overview, especially Outdoor-Safety-Spotting-Danger.

The best portable Burglar Alarm Equipment, Burglary Prevention, and Travel Security Products

TRAVEL SECURITY PRE-TRIP RESOURCES

Online travel agencies like Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia offer travel-management services. Navigant International and Rosenbluth International offer much more sophisticated – and more expensive – 24-hour travel security services.

Consult “The World’s Most Dangerous Places” by Pelton, Dulles, & Aral – Fielding Worldwide, a comprehensive travel security guide written by veteran journalists.

Consult “Travel Advisory” by Bambi Vincent and Bob Arno – Bonus Books 2003. They’re the experts on Outdoor-Safety-Pickpockets.

Check the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at www.travel.state.gov. Click on the Travel Warnings/Consular Info Sheets. Go to a page that lists three types of information: Consular Information Sheets, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings.

More security-related information:
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention at wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.
• Transportation Security Administration at www.tsatraveltips.us.
• U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Citizen Services at travel.state.gov/travel/tips

Before you leave home, contact your destination hotel and ask the concierge to rent a cell phone for you there. Get the phone number in advance and give it to your relatives and employer. Also enlist in an international calling service like AT&T Direct. Take the address of your home country's embassy at your destination, to more quickly register upon arrival.

Shipping Your Luggage Ahead: global door-to-door delivery services such as FedEx and UPS charge as little as US$40 and save you an average total of 2.5 hours of hassles at airport baggage check-in and baggage claims. You’ll also avoid the all-too-common lost luggage and thieving airline baggage employees who often pick luggage locks and zippers. Thieves also love Baggage Claims.

Vacation Safety Tips for wherever you go:

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