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Safety Tips For International Travel

Excerpted from International Travel Guide: Safety Tips for the Traveling Executive, published by Kemper Insurance Companies and Amsec International. Used with permission.

Introduction

As the world economy becomes more integrated, Western companies are expanding their operations to capitalize on new business opportunities and tap emerging markets. Corporate executives find themselves traveling at an accelerated pace, journeying across the globe to international centers of trade as well as to more remote locations.

While travel today is considered fairly safe overall, there are inherent dangers that should not be overlooked, Not the least among these is the risk of kidnap.

The notion that it couldn’t happen to you is a fallacy. Kidnappings can and do happen with alarming frequency. While many go unreported, kidnappings occur virtually on a daily basis, both internationally and domestically. Certainly, the risk is greater outside the United States, and there are some foreign countries where kidnapping for ransom money has become a growing business enterprise ’or rebel groups, organized gangs and other criminals. While wealthy, high-profile individuals and their families remain obvious kidnap targets, the incidence of kidnapping has grown dramatically among mid-level managers and other corporate executives.

In some regions of the world, there was once a certain status afforded to Western business people that provided a level of protection and may have made them less vulnerable to kidnapping. This is no longer the case. In fact, their status now makes them much more likely targets.

With more companies establishing offices abroad, the frequency of international travel among corporate executives is increasing. But the ever-changing conditions within many foreign countries can create significant hazards and uncertainty for business travelers. Company representatives who were once welcomed can, almost overnight, find themselves targets of animosity and potential kidnap victims.

Travelers to foreign countries may be kidnapped for a variety of reasons, including economic, ideological, political or personal motives, Irrespective of the reason, kidnappings are not usually spontaneous. While they may occur quite suddenly, kidnappings generally require a fair degree of sophistication and advance planning to orchestrate and accomplish.

The more information kidnappers have on a potential target, the more likely they are to succeed in capturing their victim and achieving their goal (be it monetary gain or another objective).

Therefore, travelers are urged to be on guard, to be aware of their surroundings and to take the appropriate precautions. The best defense is a solid offense, and that means proactively taking responsibility for your own security.

To assist you, Amsec International and the Kemper Insurance Companies are providing you with the safety tips and other information contained in this booklet.

Grounded in common sense, these are recommendations only. They are not all-inclusive, and not everything inside this guide will apply in every circumstance. Travelers must always base their decisions on their own best judgment.

With the proper preparedness and protective measures, you can help reduce your risk and enhance your safety while traveling abroad.

Preparation

The following are some recommendations to enhance you, travel safety. You may need to adjust this list or add items that specifically apply to you and the security situation where you intend to travel.

Travel Advisories

Contact the U.S. Department of State and other sources to acquire the latest travel advisories for your destinations and areas through which you will be traveling. You will want to know about such things as:

• Passport and visa requirements
• Political unrest
• Terrorism and crime
• Health warnings
• Special events (especially those with political or nationalistic significance)
• Amsec threat assessments for key countries are online at www.fis.kemperinsurance.com.
• Travel warnings and complete U.S. State Department reports on more than 190 countries are online at http://travel.state.gov.

Making Airline Reservations

• Plan nonstop flights whenever possible. If not available, try to take the most direct route.
• Choose air carriers from countries with which major terrorist groups have no serious grievances.
• Make reservations without titles or company name.
• Avoid going to major airline offices, which are occasional targets. Instead, make reservations through your travel agent or by phone, Internet or hotel services.
• When in a foreign country, reconfirm your flights at least 48 hours in advance.

Appearances

• Maintain a low profile.
• Dress casually whenever possible.
• Avoid obviously expensive clothing and clothing with national logos.
• Don’t take jewelry and watches that you can’t afford to lose.
• Be circumspect about using cellular telephones, laptop computers and personal organizers in Public.

Funds

• Plan to use traveler’s checks as much as possible. They can be replaced. Cash can’t.
• DO NOT exchange U.S. currency for local currency outside authorized exchange houses; check with the hotel desk to locate a reputable establishment.
• Limit the amount of cash in your possession at any one time.
• Leave credit cards at home that you don’t intend to use.

Luggage

• Use lockable, hard-sided, nondescript luggage.
• DO NOT use luggage tags that expose your name and address. Use closed-faced tags.
• DO NOT use business cards as luggage tags because they give away your company name and your title.
• Place identification both inside and outside each bag.
• If carrying a laptop computer, avoid the typical black computer carry bag. Instead use a bag that looks more like a backpack.
• Make an inventory of the items inside your luggage and carry it on your person.
• Check your homeowner’s insurance to determine what coverage it provides while you are traveling or staying in a hotel.

Identification

• Carry your passport on your person at all times while in transit.
• Make a photocopy of the personal description pages of your passport and carry it with you while traveling once you lock your passport in the hotel safe-deposit box (see Information and Records).
• Carry at least one other photo ID, such as a driver’s license, on your person at all times.
• DO NOT carry military reserve or retired military identification cards.
• DO NOT carry membership cards that identify you as belonging to any political, religious or social organization that might create problems.

Information and Records

• Share your detailed itinerary only with family and trusted associates. Keep them informed of any changes and how to reach you.
• Make two photocopies of your driver’s license and record a listing of all credit cards you plan to take. Put one copy in your luggage; leave one copy with someone you trust.
• After arrival, place your passport, extra credit cards and other valuables in the hotel safe-deposit box; carry the photocopies with you.
• Write down the address and telephone number of the nearest embassy or consulate, including after-hours telephone numbers, and keep this with you at all times.

Be careful about what you are carrying.

Think about what you take. Is there anything that may create problems? For example:

• Books by dissident authors
• Religious materials
• Certain political materials
• Personal or corporate financial statements
• Sexually oriented literature
• Pocketknives or other items that could be viewed as weapons

The Airport

Departure Time

• Avoid spending extra time at the airport.
• Say your good-byes at curbside if someone is dropping you off.

Secured Area

• Process through the security screening point as soon as possible.
• Minimize time spent in public, nonsecured areas.

Flight Gate

• If available and you are qualified, wait in the airline club’s membership lounge until boarding time.
• If a membership lounge is not available, wait in the departure lounge at the gate unless your travel is to a “controversial” destination. In that case, sit in a nearby departure area until boarding time.
• Stay away from windows or other large expanses of glass, but remain in an area visible to the public.

Customs and Immigration

• Try not to be the first or the last in customs or immigration lines.
• Ensure all required documentation is completely filled out before getting in line.
• Declare all items required by local law.
• Be cautious and respectful with customs and other officials. Avoid jocularity that might be misunderstood.
• In the event of problems, DO NOT offer bribes to customs or immigration officials. Attempt (without seeming excitable or arrogant) to involve a supervisor or other senior person.
• In extreme cases, you may have to attempt to have your embassy intervene; however, do not use this as a threat.

Contact

• Discourage the use of “meeter and greeter” signs for recognition unless the name is disguised (e.g., first name, last initial).
• If a greeter sign is arranged, make sure your company’s name and/or logo is not used.
• If possible, have someone who is familiar with the city meet you at the airport and accompany you to your lodging.
• If someone you don’t know is planning to meet you, arrange ahead of time how you’ll recognize each other (e.g., hair color, outfit, key phrase, etc.).

Transportation from the Airport

• Do not accept offers of transportation from people in the airport reception area.
• Only use taxicabs from authorized taxi stands at the airport.
• Check ahead of time (through the U.S. State Department or other travel advisory service) on any cautions regarding taxis at your destination.
• If using local taxis, find out ahead of time how to identify and contract legitimate cabs and avoid “gypsies” or independent operators.
• Establish destination and agreement on fare before boarding or allowing luggage to be loaded into a taxi.
• If you have a local point of contact, inquire as to the name of a reputable transportation company and how to find it at the airport.

Traveling by Car

Hotel Transportation Services

• Use them whenever they are available.
• Beware of “friendly” offers of transportation from strangers.

Taxicabs

• Inquire at the hotel desk as to the reasonable taxi fare to your destination and the approximate time of travel from the hotel.
• Use only marked and licensed taxicabs. (Note that sometimes “tourist” taxis are legitimate, but do not have the markings of street taxis. These often work in conjunction with the hotels and therefore are safer, but somewhat more expensive.)
• Gypsy” cabs are often unreliable and can even be set-ups. In some countries, gypsy cabs have the same markings as licensed taxis.
• Allow doormen to hail a taxi for you; however, be suspicious if the cab arrives from somewhere other than the taxi stand that is nearest to the hotel door or if something about the taxi does not correlate with the information you received from the hotel desk.
• Be certain that your taxi has been randomly selected and that the driver’s posted identification matches him or her.
• Ensure that the meter is activated before the cab pulls away from the hotel. If not using a meter, make sure the fare is agreed upon in the presence of the doorman before boarding the taxi.
• NEVER get into a taxi that is occupied by anyone other than the driver (i.e., no one !in the passenger seat).
• If the taxi driver steps along the way to pick up another person, immediately disembark.
• If carrying a computer or briefcase in a taxi, place it on the floor by your feet and not on the seat next to you.
• Request that the taxi driver lock all of the doors or reach over and lock them yourself.
• Always sit in the backseat. Embark from and disembark on the sidewalk side of the car.

Rental Cars

• Select a vehicle that blends in with other cars in the area.
• Make sure that the car is in decent working condition and that lights and other equipment are functioning properly.
• Inspect for prior damage, spare tire, tire tools, jack and safety reflectors.
• Be aware also that in many countries, rental cars are easily identified either through a distinct license plate or decal in the back window, thereby calling attention to the vehicle.

Driving

• Become familiar with local maps prior to your drive.
• Use well-traveled streets.
• Avoid stopping in isolated areas. At night, stop only in well-lit areas.
• Look into the vehicle before you enter.
• Lock your doors and keep your windows within two inches of closing while driving. Keep your gas lank at least half full.
• Be skeptical of roadblocks, apparent accidents and motorists in distress.
• If stopped by the police, cooperate and DO NOT attempt to offer a bribe. Open your window only enough to communicate and pass documents through.
• If someone attempts to pull your vehicle over and you are not comfortable with the location, continue driving to the first well-lit, public place you see, then stop.
• Stay alert and be aware of everything that is going on around you while driving.

Possible Surveillance

• If you think you are being followed, it does not mean that you are about to be attacked.
• Proceed immediately to the nearest safe area (hotel, office, police station or other public place).
• Deviate from your planned itinerary for the remainder of your stay.
• If using a rental car, request another vehicle from the rental company.
• If you can, record the make, model and license number of the car, number of occupants and what the activity was that made you suspicious.

If Surveillance Is Confirmed

• Do not complete your trip.
• Do not go to your actual or temporary residence.
• Do not stop.
• Drive to a safe place - preferably a police station.

The Hotel

Busy Hotels

• Stay at busy hotels and avoid out-of-the-way accommodations.
• Stick with well-known hotels, especially those that are part of major international chains.
• Stay away from “luxury” hotels.
• Reasonable (not overly generous) tips to doormen, bellmen and waiters go a long way toward making your stay safer.

Floor Locations

Ask for a room on the second through seventh floors:

• High enough to avoid most burglars and security problems.
• Low enough for escape in the event of a fire or other emergency.
• Easier for fire apparatus to reach.

Precautions

• DO NOT loiter or discuss your business or travel plans in hotel lobbies or other public areas.
• DO NOT meet strangers in your hotel room.
• DO NOT give out your room number or address casually.
• Inspect any doors opening to balconies or windows for signs of previous forced entry. If located close to a fire escape, ledge or adjoining rooftop that would permit a thief to access your room by forcing the door/window, request a different room.
• Use all auxiliary-locking devices on all doors and windows.
• Once you are safely in your room, unpack and place your belongings in the closet or dresser. Lock and stow empty luggage so that it can’t be used to carry your property out of the room.
• If the room is equipped with a safe, set the combination and store your passport and any unneeded valuables.

Emergency Procedures

• Ask about emergency procedures when you check in. Some major hotels have brochures describing their emergency plans.
• Know where the nearest fire escape, stairs and elevators are located and the most direct route from your room.
• Count the doors from your room to the exit door.
• At night, leave a small flashlight and any necessary items (eyeglasses, keys, wallet, etc.) on the nightstand by the bed in case an emergency evacuation is necessary.

Windows in the Room

• Check to see if they open fully.
• Learn how the latches work.
• Observe what is outside the window and what can be seen from observation areas of your room window.

Out-of-Room Precautions

• Leave a radio or TV on at low volume.
• Do not leave your key at the desk.
• Be careful about leaving sensitive information in your room.
• Consider what you throw in the wastebasket (e.g., itinerary, home or business addresses, financial statements, credit card receipts, etc.). Take precautions in disposing personal and professional information.

Room Service

• When ordering room service, ensure that computers, other electronic devices and valuables are put away before the waiter arrives.
• If the TV is on, mute the volume before answering the door.
• If there is a peephole, use it to identify hotel staff before opening the door. Also, see information below about Unexpected Visitors.
• Leave the door open while the waiter is inside.

Unexpected Visitors

• If there is a peephole, use it to identify anyone requesting entry before opening your hotel room door,
• Check identification. Call the front desk for visitor verification before admitting anyone who claims to be hotel staff, or ask them to come back later. Check them out with hotel personnel.
• Refuse to accept unexpected Packages.

Summary

• Increase your awareness; pay attention. it Lower your profile. it Be alert to potential hazards.
• Exercise caution with strangers. Avoid giving out personal or professional information. Be leery of inquiries that appear to be excessively detailed.
• Know what to do and where to go in emergencies.
• Be sure that your staff/family members know their responsibilities in helping ensure your safety.
• If your stay is prolonged, register with your nearest embassy or consulate. Be sure to update this information if it changes. 

riskVue | The webzine for risk management professionals
February 2003