5 Quick Traveling Safety Tips People Need When Are At Risk
Zika Rakita
Senior Security Consultant specializing in Threat Intelligence and Risk Analysis
In today's interconnected world, global travel has become quite common. Whether for business or leisure, traveling per se comes with certain risks. It's even more dangerous for high-risk travelers such as solo female travelers, people with disabilities, business people, and visitors to trouble spots.
Despite existing perils, travelers shouldn't be discouraged from discovering new knowledge, achieving personal growth, accessing worldwide markets, and enjoying other benefits. Therefore, it's essential to be cautious and prioritize safety to travel with peace of mind.
Please refer to the following article, which provides quick traveling safety tips.
Travel Safety Matters
Visiting new destinations is a fantastic experience, broadening our horizons. Likewise, business trips are necessary in today's globalized world, allowing access to international trade. However, exercising caution is a must to ensure safety.
Being aware of potential risks is essential for at-risk travelers — anyone prone to threats inherent in foreign trips, such as the following:
In this case, prioritizing the safety of travel is vital. So, following recommended traveling safety tips is essential.
Preliminary Research
Safety starts before you embark on a journey, book a hotel, or purchase a flight. You should carefully investigate a desired location, researching travel advisories, crime levels, frequency of crises, local customs, and law. Browsing the Internet and government websites and consulting travel security specialists are recommended.?
Remember a risk assessment; take into account your profile. Suppose you are a woman planning a solo vacation. In this case, you should pay attention to the risks of traveling alone. Look into gender-based violence, street safety, women's rights, discrimination, and incidents affecting females' well-being.
In this regard, Afghanistan, Iran, India, South Africa, Syria, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia are among the most dangerous countries for ladies.
This is not to dissuade women from sojourns but to emphasize the importance of being conscious of your vulnerabilities and planning ahead. Doing so will enable you to identify dangers, make well-informed decisions, and avoid problems. Preliminary research might be time-consuming but never underestimate travel risks.
Please contact me for tailored travel risk assessments for your peace of mind. I can provide valuable insights into country-specific perils and produce optimal solutions.
Adaptation
As a stranger, you stand out from the locals, which makes you susceptible to various menaces. That's why blending into the domestic environment as much as possible is essential. This exceeds keeping a low profile and entails respecting local traditions, such as adhering to the dress code.
Likewise, don't be an easy target by showing off your wealth and status by wearing extravagant jewelry, expensive business suits, and other valuables. Pay attention to local legislation referencing taking pictures of certain sites such as holy places and government institutions.
For example, I remember a situation with my friend while living in Serbia. My British pal, a devoted football lover, visited me in Belgrade. When we were out for dinner before our meeting, he ran into a problem. On his way to our rendezvous point, he encountered some supporters of one of Belgrade's clubs since it was a big match day. Usually, he wouldn't have had any trouble if he hadn't worn his favorite team jersey. His gesture provoked the local fans. Luckily, all finished well. However, my friend learned a lesson about how important it is to understand cultural differences, respect them, and stay under the radar.
Avoiding undue attention will help you prevent unnecessary incidents and enhance your security. Moreover, you'll be able to truly and completely embrace and experience the local culture.
Awareness
One of the most significant traveling safety tips is situational awareness, which is crucial when on the ground. This involves being constantly mindful of your surroundings, situation, and people.
Avoid night excursions, travel with a companion, and always be vigilant in crowded places. Stay away from public demonstrations and rallies, and be especially cognizant of pickpocketing in tourist areas. Public transportation isn't recommended to foreigners and tourists due to many issues linked to it.
In this respect, some cities with the most dangerous public transportation include Bogota, Lima, Mexico City, Delhi, Jakarta, Buenos Aires, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Cairo, and Moscow.
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Also, refrain from using private taxi drivers since most freelancers will take the opportunity to scam you and overcharge for the ride. Instead, use official cab companies and check the driver's taxi license. Hotels usually collaborate with proven chauffeur services, which is the most suggested option.
Speaking of hotels, choose those with a good reputation for safety and amenities. Look into online reviews, locations, and how they handle security at the premises. In addition, stay clear of motels, hostels, shared accommodation, and cheap hotels.
As for corporations, they should consider sending traveling staff to undertake security awareness training to build critical skills. This will enable employees to recognize dangers and react accordingly and appropriately.
On this account, my company, Nemesis Protection , offers a range of corporate security training programs ideal for workers engaged in high-risk areas and easily affected sectors, such as oil and gas, mining, NGOs, journalists, and flight crews.
Trust Your Instincts
Luckily, we are all born with the most valuable self-defense mechanism: our gut feeling. This "sixth sense" is automatically activated when we are about to face jeopardy; it should never be ignored but cultivated.
So, you should rely upon your instinct to warn you about the situation. If something isn't right, it probably is. As the saying goes, "Better be safe than sorry," so it's better to miss the chance if you feel something wrong than taking avoidable risks that can cost you much more.
When it comes to safety, risk-taking at the expense of your security is redundant. Thus, if something makes you uncomfortable, say no and remove yourself.
Option B
Always plan in advance and have a backup plan, not just one but more. The more you plan, the more you will be ready for unforeseen situations. However, circumstances won't always add up, no matter how detailed your plan is.
Planning prepares you for sudden events, leaving you unsurprised and composed. It helps you adapt, overcome, improvise, and deal with new field developments.?Also, it can entail many things, from keeping your family back home informed about your whereabouts and having your friend as an emergency contact to taking travel insurance.
Adequate planning requires a dynamic approach; you must monitor your situation constantly and make necessary adjustments. Nemesis Protection can help you with contingency planning by protecting your trip with 24/7 traveler tracking that covers critical emergency support and ensures expeditious response.
Additional Traveling Safety Tips
Traveling safety tips depend on your destination and your profile. Aside from the advice suggested in this article, here are additional tips:
Conclusion: Safety Tips for Traveling
Please don't take your safety for granted. Tread carefully on every journey, regardless of whether it's dangerous or trouble-free. Even trips to the safest destinations can be risky and lead in unwanted, unexpected directions. Thus, be open-minded, attentive, and proactive.
Here are key takeaways from the recommended traveling safety tips:
Following these safety tips for traveling can minimize the chances of becoming a victim of other travel hazards.
Also, if you need travel assistance, do not hesitate to contact me or Nemesis Protection at [email protected] .