With the abundance of rules and regulations placed on the travel industry over the past few years, it has become increasingly more difficult to encounter a stress-free vacation experience; especially while venturing beyond national borders. To help ensure that your next trip is a travel delight and not a travel nightmare, there are some things you should consider prior to takeoff. According to On Call International’s medical director, Dr. Robert Wheeler, here are some simple tips for safer travel abroad:
- Prep Your Passport
Preparation is key. Before traveling, make sure you sign your passport and fill out the emergency information page with current information. In the event of an emergency, medical professionals will need this information to contact family or friends.
- Pack for Safety
Avoid the tell tale signs of tourism. Things like fanny packs and dangling cameras scream “out-of-towner,” which can make you a target. Research the appropriate attire of the location where you will be traveling. Dressing too flashy or too casually may instantly tell locals you are a tourist.
- Purchase Global Medical Assistance
While your medical insurance plan may cover most incidences at home, it may not protect you while overseas. Only eight percent of medical insurance plans cover an evacuation for medical reasons while you’re in a foreign country. Most medical evacuation and travel assistance plans provide members with access to a 24-hour emergency response center to find doctors in the area where you are traveling; a 24-hour nurse line to help identify symptoms, and coverage should you need to return home for medical reasons or have a family member flown out to you.
- Observe Local Laws
While visiting a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and regulations. Researching the local laws and customs prior to visiting a country will prepare you for what to expect and what is appropriate not only legally, but socially as well.
Preparation is key. Before traveling, make sure you sign your passport and fill out the emergency information page with current information. In the event of an emergency, medical professionals will need this information to contact family or friends.
Contributor
On Call International
On Call International is a leading provider of customized medical, security and travel assistance for international business and leisure travelers, as well as expatriates, students and others away from home. Operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, On Call's experienced, multi-lingual team of Assistance Coordinators specializes in delivering life-determining aid during medical emergencies from any point on the globe as well as coordination of transportation home after accidents or illnesses.