As business travel and leisure travel continue to recover, the world returns to what can feel like “normal.” This could mean that some people are traveling to dangerous destinations, or at least where we initially considered high risk.
No matter why someone is traveling and regardless of their destination, everyone wants to feel safe.
Feeling safe can mean many different things depending on the individual and where they are traveling.
We think of some destinations as more dangerous than others, although some of these are media perceptions and depictions of these places.
Regardless, from choosing a hotel with top level security Paying attention to your personal safety when you go out, here are things to keep in mind when you arrive in a dangerous destination. These tips can also be helpful if you’re not in what we normally think of as a traditional danger zone but are simply traveling to somewhere unfamiliar.
Do your research
The mainstream media won’t necessarily give you the information you need before to travel somewhere that you are not familiar with. For example, you might think of Brazil as a dangerous place simply because of its beauty, but the country doesn’t have a lot of crime. Like anywhere else, there are risks when traveling to so-called dangerous destinations, but they are often not as significant as we might realize.
Start your travel research by visiting government websites run by your country.
For example, residents of the United States can begin their studies with the Department of State. The State Department provides country-specific information, travel warnings, and warnings for U.S. travelers.
You can start to learn the overall level of risk for your destination and the specific threats to watch out for.
There is a big difference between your greatest risk of political instability or conflict versus a country where the greatest risk is crime related to drug cartels.
If you’re going somewhere where there’s political conflict, you can determine which areas are the most at risk because it’s not as common.
Your goal in research is to gain a certain perspective.
Also, keep in mind that most what you read will exaggerate the riskInclude information from your home government.
If you have friends or colleagues who have traveled to the destination, they can be a good source of views.
Choose a hotel
When you go to a dangerous destinationStaying in a hotel is usually your best option.
You want a hotel that caters to international travelers and you want to make sure they always have security in place.
If your hotel caters to international travelers, they are more likely to meet the security standards expected by those travelers.
Security should be visible most of the time and always on the premises. If you’re not sure if that’s what the hotel offers, contact them directly to find out what their protocols are.
A hotel with a 24-hour front desk is a must. If the lobby is always occupied, it reduces the chances of someone following you.
Plus, if there’s always someone to contact, you’ll have peace of mind if you see something suspicious.
Depending on your location and the reason for traveling, you may want to let the front desk know your plans each day and when you expect to return. Of course, you’ll only want to do this if you think you’re really taking a risk.
When you book a hotel room, ask for a higher floor, but not too high. If you are on the ground, it will be easier for intruders to target you. At the same time, it is difficult to get out if you are too high and there is a fire or emergency.
If you stay near the fire exit, even better when you stay in the hotel. These are the things that you should consider no matter your destination.
Leaving a tourist path
If you’re going to an adventurous destination, you want to have a plan for everything you’re doing and leave a trail of it.
First, notify the embassy in your home country at least two weeks before your trip. You will then want to make a color copy of your passport. Keep a copy with you, then leave one at your home and exchange a copy with anyone else who may be traveling with you.
Keep copies of your passport separate from your actual passport.
Leave the journey with someone at home, or share a Google Doc with a trusted person.
When traveling with other people, you should always carry their phone numbers with you, and you should share details of what each of them will do if you leave each other.
Along with staying connected with the people you may be traveling with, it’s also a good idea to stay in regular and consistent contact with at least one person back home.
For example, maybe you let a family member know your general schedule and plan a specific time to do it. Check in with them every day.
Alert
Whenever you’re in an unfamiliar place, whether you think it’s dangerous or not, it’s important to stay alert. Pay attention to what’s going on around you and pay attention to how people behave around you.
For example, if someone seems to be following you, try to find your way to a densely populated area.
When traveling anywhere, but especially somewhere that you consider dangerous, try keep a low profile. You don’t want anyone to think you have a lot of money.
Wear clothes that blend in with the locals and don’t wear your expensive jewelry or accessories.
You also want to try and avoid places where people might target you based on where you go. For example, if there’s a bar where Americans hang out, it’s best to avoid that.
Finally, don’t drink too much anytime you’re traveling, but you need to be extra vigilant, especially if you’re traveling somewhere. If you drink too much, you won’t be as aware and attentive as you might need to keep yourself safe.
