• What to Carry With You (apart from Travellers Cheques)?
  • Besides the originals, a copy of your passport, travel visas, airline tickets and travel documents. A list of any charge or credit cards you are carrying. Remember to keep the copies seperate from the originals.
  • An International Driving Licence, which can be obtained through the automobile association. Even if you are not planning to drive, bring your driver's licence with photo for identification.
  • An "in case of emergency card" that includes your blood type, allergies, and special medical conditions, along with the names and numbers for your doctors.
  • Your Medical Insurance Identification Card.
  • Additional supply of prescription medicines, an extra pair of eyeglasses, and don't miss to keep a list of your medicines in your carry-on luggage.

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• What to leave behind?
  • A copy of your Passport, Travel Visas, airline tickets, insurance documents and a list of any charge or credit cards.
  • A copy of your Itinerary and phone numbers.
  • A copy of your Travellers Cheques' serial numbers

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• Other Planning Tips
  • Check that your passport is NOT close to expiring.
  • Avoid putting travel documents, prescription medicines, valuables or travellers cheques in checked baggage.
  • Sign each Travellers Cheque in the top left corner to protect yourself in case of loss or theft.
  • Put your name, address, and telephone number inside each piece of checked and carry-on luggage.
  • Use your Business Address, if possible, on your luggage.
  • Use Lockable Luggage.
  • Register valuable items such as cameras, laptop computers, and jewellery with Customs, before departing. (It also saves you import fees when you return)
  • Consider purchasing special international health insurance and medical evaluation plan programmes.
  • Plan to travel in comfortable, casual clothing to avoid attracting attention.

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• Staying Safe
  • Never leave your luggage, briefcase or other items unattended. When you set them down,place them between your feet, or against your leg.
  • Watch your carry-on items closely when they go through security; Thieves are known to take items off the end of the unit while you are held up in the screening process.
  • Avoid currency exchange windows if possible, or exchange only a small amount. Do not let others see how much currency you are carrying.
  • Be wary of imposter porters. Assure they are properly uniformed or identified.
  • Note how many pieces of luggage and other items you brought with you, and count them each time they are handled.
  • Use only authorised, properly identified taxis and buses. Avoid taxis that pick up additional passengers.
  • Assure that the whole luggage is placed inside the taxi trunk and the lid is closed before entering the taxi.
  • Don't accept an offer to share a taxi to your hotel unless you know the individual.

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• At the Hotel
  • Obtain a Safety Deposit Box upon check-in for your passport, visas, airline ticket, most of your cash, travellers cheques, jewellery and valuables. Carry only a passport photocopy.
  • Never leave valuables in your room, even in locked luggage or guest-room safes.
  • Avoid displaying the sign requesting room-cleaning service; it identifies that the room is unoccupied. Make such requests in person to the cleaning personnel or the front desk.
  • Keep a television or radio switched on in the room when out; it gives the impression that the room is occupied.
    

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• Street Smart
  • Be aware that criminals occasionally use children and 'helpless' women in their distraction ruses.
  • Carry only that much amount of cash or travellers cheques that you expect to use during your trip, away from your hotel.
  • Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets.
  • Women should carry their purses close to their bodies with the latch side facing in. If possible, carry money and identification in a seperate, small wallet in your pocket.
  • Consider wearing a money belt or fanny pack.
  • Carry small amount of cash seperate from the rest of your money so that you dont have to "flash your cash" when making a small purchase.
  • Go to ATMS that are well-lit and in secure locations. If you must use an ATM, don't withdraw large amount of money at one time and don't let a possible thief see where you keep it on your person.
  • Be extra alert in areas where large crowds congregate or where others might naturally stand close to you: airports, trains, bus stations, elevators, escalators and open-air markets.
  • Exercise caution before trying to help if a "fight" suddenly breaks out; the antagonists may be criminal partners.
  • Walk in the middle of a sidewalk; too close to the road leaves you open to thieves on motorbikes known to grab purses as they ride past.
  • Travel with a Detailed Map and prominently mark the hotel, embassy and police station. Familiarise yourself with the directions before leaving the hotel. Don't stand on a busy corner trying to read the map, your belongings may disappear; find a safe place like a cafe to sit and look at the map.
  • Carry a piece of hotel stationery with you; it comes in handy when communicating with local taxi drivers.

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• What to Do When You are a Victim of Crime?
  • Don't resist a robber; Your life or safety is more important than whatever you are carrying.
  • Scream, yell, get help.
  • Have your local contact or the hotel manager assist you in contacting the police to report a theft.
  • Keep a copy of the police report; you need it for verification with insurance and in replacing stolen cards/travellers cheques.
  • Report any lost or stolen credit or charge cards immediately.
  • Contact the embassy and the appropriate airline if your passport and airline tickets are lost or stolen. Use your extra copies to expedite replacement.

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