tips for international travel

Tips for travelling

Topic : Tip 523 – 548What you do and Information

(Government & Private sources)

What you do

Although business travelers represent particularly attractive targets for criminals, they are not the only desirable pool of targets. Leisure travelers are also as attractive pool. Don’t compound your risk of assault by frequenting hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and other locations where tourists- particularly Western tourists- congregate. Bear in mind too, that the risk to a traveler visiting these sites increases in the evening.

Tip 523 : Avoid crowded tourist locations

If you will be using public transportation to get around at your destination, make sure there are access points near your hotel.

Tip 524 : Stay near Transportation

When making hotel reservations, get assurance that the hotel has smoke detectors and sprinklers installed in all rooms.

Tip 525 : Verify fire protection

Don’t be too specific about when you expect to arrive or depart from a hotel. Instead be purposefully evasive. For example use terms like “early morning ” or “late afternoon” instead of “around 7:00 AM” or “about 6:30 PM”.

Tip 526 : Be vague about arrivals/ departure times

Whenever possible avoid using your (real) company’s name when making transportation, hotel, and meal reservations.

Tip 527 : Safeguard your company’s name

Arrange in advance for transportation from your arrival site (e.g., airport, train terminal ) to your hotel or business appointments. Better yet, plan to be met at the airport by a trusted local contact who will drive you to your destination.

Tip 528 : Arrange for an escort

The best information regarding the security of local accommodations comes from those who are “locals” themselves. Start by asking your local business contact what he knows about the security of the hotel you are considering. Then contact your embassy’s security official. These people are excellent sources of in-country security information.

Tip 529 : Research your accommodations

Be extra cautious when scheduling meetings in conference centers that are frequently used by foreigners to conduct business. They are magnets for criminals targeting those foreigners.

Tip 530 : Be careful where you met

Arrange for a window of meeting times then finalize the specifics shortly before the meeting.

Tip 531 : Give short notice of attending meetings

Don’t allow for others to gather in anticipation of your departure.

Tip 532 : Keep meetings brief

Before you arrive in country, fax or e-mail a copy of your itinerary to your government’s embassy security officer. A sample of the in formation to be contained in this communication is included as the appendix to this guide.

Tip 533 : Notify your government of your plans

Once a fax or e-mail is sent, it is difficult to control its distribution. Except for communicating your itinerary to your country’s embassy or consulate, don’t fax or e-mail your itinerary.

Tip 534 : Guard your itinerary

Cellular connections are not secure connections so do not discuss anything that can compromise your safety.

Tip 535 : Limit conversations on cellular telephone

Government Sources Information about potential hazards in “foreign” countries is available from a number of Western governments.

Information

The U.S. State Department maintains one of the most thorough sources of foreign travel information through its Consular Information Program. There are three levels of risk associated with the State Department’s travel information: Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements.

Tip 536 : Check the U.S. State Department advisories

The U.S. State Department maintains a liaison function between the U.S. government and the private sector to exchange security related information. The Overseas Security Advisory Council(OSAC), as this liaison is called, is composed of others who have an interest in overseas security. It is coordinated through the state Department and offers advice especially for foreign-bound American business travelers.

Tip 537 : Access business travel security information

The U.S. Department of Transportation supports a travel advisory hotline at 800-221-0673. The hotline advises travelers of potential terrorist threats and other security matters concerning the transportation systems in the United State and abroad.

Tip 538 : Tap other U.S. government resources

The Australian department of foreign affairs and trade maintains a website offering travel advice to Australian citizens at www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice/.

Tip 539 : Alternately, check the travel security site maintained by the Australian government

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London offers travel advisories for British citizens. The information can be accessed by telephone or thought the internet at www.fco.gov.uk/travel/.

Tip 540 : or by the British government

Canadian citizens can access relevant travel security information from the Canadian Department of foreign Affairs and international trade. The information is available on the internet at voyage.defait-maeci.ga.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm.

Tip 541 : or by the Canadian government

The New Zealand Ministry of foreign affairs & Trade offers foreign travel advice to its citizens though its website at www.mft.govt.nz/travel/.

Tip 542 : or by the New Zealand government

A Regional Security officer is assigned to almost every U.S. Embassy and many larger American Consulates. Among their responsibilities is to provide security information to executives doing business in their assigned countries. Regional Security Officers have access to extensive security information. They can and do offer advice on selecting hotel, meeting site, transportation options. Although they cannot make arrangements for you, they can provide you with critical information so you can make informed decisions about your travel.

Tip 543 : Contact Regional Security Officer

Monitor traveler advisories and ask your local contacts if and where there is unrest in the country you will be visiting so that you can avoid it. Learn, too, of upcoming event which can increase the potential for violence.

OSAC monitors world events that can affect the safety of business travelers. It updates its findings daily and reports these events on its internet site. It also has available a database which includes country-specific dates that could require extra caution for the foreign business traveler.

Tip 544 : Find out what is going on

Private SourcesTravel security information can also be obtained from a number of non-governmental sources.

Information

If you will be meeting in an office building, at a manufacturing site, in a retail store, or in some other business location, ask your business contact there what security measures are in place.

Tip 545 : The determine the level of on-site security

Don’t overlook the value of your own security department when making plans for your international travel. They may have access to all the sources listed above as well as other pertinent information for travel to your destination.

Tip 546 : Tap into your security department

We have collected useful, security-related internet sites and have posted links to them on our company’s website at www.appliedpsychology.com/resource.htm.

Tip 547 : Use Applied Psychology’s resource links

A number of private companies provide foreign travel security information for a fee.

Tip 548 : Subscribe to private sources

Ms. Tipaporn Ngorsakul

ID.52623433006

Ms. Radtiyakorn Khampong

ID.52623433011

Mr. Warit Sutthisri ID.52623433014

Ms. Wanida Phoothongkan

ID.52623433019

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