Booking a vacation is easy; concluding it on a safe note is not. One needs to practice
common-sense precautions and otherwise in order to return smiling at the end of
the day. While some countries have stringent laws to ensure tourists’ safety,
others are considered dodgy for the same. While travelling to such precarious
destinations, there is set of travelling
dos and don’ts you need to follow in order to return home safe. However,
the rule of the thumb lays stress on the fact that you need to start blending
in as soon as board off the flight. Playing glamorous or extravagant will
attract unwanted attention, which might result in spinning your
long-anticipated vacation to something you will remember for the rest of your
life but as a nightmare. Also, the best way to get out of any uncomfortable
situation is to simply apologize and walk away; the sooner the better.
Now,
here is a list of some of the most important travel safety tips which every tourist needs to follow while
visiting abroad. Here we go…
DO's
· Read about the country before you board the
flight. Getting an idea about the way things work in the country you are
travelling to will help you blend in. While there, be aware of the
surroundings. Keeping your eyes and ears open for the sinister kind will keep
safe, nonetheless.
· The best way to handling your finances in a
country alien to you is to use credit cards instead of carrying wads of cash.
You can exchange your money for the local currency but make sure you have the
bills in small denominations and coins. Carrying flashy notes is totally
discouraged.
· Leaving valuables in your hotel room is a very
unsafe thing to do. Why not try the hotel locker instead? Also make sure you
close all the doors and windows before leaving your hotel room… Keeps you goods
safe from thieves and burglars.
· Do keep photocopies of your passport. You will
need it in case the original booklet gets misplaced or stolen. It’s advised to
carry a photocopy of the passport with you while going out, keeping the
original locked in the hotel’s safe-deposit vault. International travel safety measures highly encourage this action.
· Dressing up has got a lot to do with your safety
in a foreign country. For instance, roaming about the streets clad in nothing
but a bikini, in countries like Vietnam, will attract raised eyebrows, at the
least. More is worst. So, make sure you dress up according to your surroundings
as this will make you look more like a local and not otherwise. Avoid expensive
jewellery of any kind.
· Keep vehicle doors locked and windows rolled up
in case you have rented a car to go sightseeing.
· Travelling with companions, rather than
travelling solo, will keep you safer. As they say, there is safety in numbers!
· Stay alert against staged distractions. While
you will be engrossed debating with the guy who bumped on you or accidently
spilt his drink over you, his accomplice might have stole your money and
valuables already in the event of that momentary distraction.
DON’Ts
· As stated earlier, carrying wads of cash or
exchanging money at discreet places will make you prone to theft or robberies. International travel safety measures
count this as a high priority blunder. Don’t get engaged in such acts.
· Don’t dress up the way it is not customary in
the country you are travelling in. Also, try not to look confused or lost, and
DON’T take out you map in a public place whatsoever. You don’t want to look
like a tourist only to be taken advantage of by the local thugs.
· Don’t carry large backpacks that look like
luggage holders. While walking down the street, it is advisable not to tread
with a bag slung loosely as reports of bag snatching by bikes is high on the
rise.
· Don’t leave your bags unattended in a public
place, and don’t ever carry cash, valuables such as expensive gadgets or
jewelry in your luggage. You hotel’s safe deposit vault is the safest haven for
these stuff.
· Don’t park you vehicle anywhere you want to.
Choose a well lit place. Also, do not give a lift to anyone on the road. Who
knows, the person could be a robber in disguise of a tourist.
· Don’t walk through dark alleys or dangerous
looking locations at night. Asking for your way back to the hotel to some
stranger is highly discouraged as well. All travel safety tips lists will tell you of the same. To ask your
route clearly implies to the fact that you aren’t a local, which makes you more
prone to attacks and robbery.
· Don’t offend tourists or locals in any way. If
you want to avoid trouble, you need to be extra cautious not to offend anyone.
· Don’t be tempted to solicit prostitutes. Buying
illegal drugs is a severely punishable offence in most countries. Also, do not
try to smuggle goods out of the country. Breaking international law will land
you behind the bars for a major portion of your life.
