Before you take a trip, it is wise to compile a threat assessment of the area. This could be on the area, city or country you are visiting. Do this regardless if the trip is for business or pleasure. While you are checking out everything else and making plans, do a little extra and think about these travel security considerations.
With the Internet, this is a lot easier than it used to be. Check crime reports. Use Google Earth and map sites to view photos and routes. Check out hotels and other places you intend to visit.
Here is a list of travel security considerations compiled by Orlando Wilson in his book International Security: Personal Protection in an Uncertain World. Use this travel security consideration list as a starting point of things you should consider before traveling. It should get you thinking security minded as you put together plans for your next vacation or business trip.
Travel Security Considerations:
- What is the threat level at the location you are visiting?
- Compile threat assessments on hotels and locations to be visited.
- Will you need any inoculations against diseases or need to take preventative medication with you?
- Do you have trusted contacts at this location, and how can they assist you?
- If you’re traveling internationally, do you need visas to enter the country?
- Where will you be staying?
- Can you carry weapons, will you need permits, and where will you be getting the weapons from?
- What restrictions are there on carrying weapons, and what are the local laws on the use of force?
- Will anyone meet you at the destination airport? If yes, do you know them? If not, get a photo and arrange code words.
- Will your phones work at the destination? If not, where can you get local mobile/cell phone?
- Are there pay phones at the airport, and do they take coins or credit cards?
- What international dialing codes are you going to need?
- How will you get from the airport to your hotel?
- Will baggage be secure, and who will have access to it?
- Are you taking local currency with you, or are you going to need to change hard currency?
- Will there be ATMs available, and can you use your bank cards?
- Will you be able to use credit cards?
- Will you have Internet access, and is it secure? Are there free hotspots?
- What standard of medical facilities is available at the destination, and will you need to take sterile or emergency equipment with you?
- Will you need to take prescription medication with you, and are there any restrictions on it within the country you are visiting?
- Is clean blood available in hospitals at the destination? If not, where is the nearest source or clean or synthetic blood? Is medical insurance needed, and is what you have recognized? Or do you need hard currency for ambulance services and treatments, etc.?
- Know the locations of hospitals or reliable doctors in your area that can treat trauma or any medical condition you or your fellow travelers may have.
- What are the details of backup hotels and locations that can be used as safe houses or emergency rendezvous points?
- Do you or any of those traveling with you have any special dietary requirements or allergies?
- Is the tap water drinkable, or will you need bottled water? If yes, is it readily available?
- How will you be traveling at your destination – public transport, on foot, or using a driver?
- If you are renting a car, make sure you know your routes and have a reliable breakdown plan and spare tire in the vehicle.
- When driving at your destination, make sure you know where the nearest gas stations and emergency facilities are, such as hospitals and possible safe locations.
- Who locally knows your travel plans? Try to keep things on a need to know basis.
- Make sure someone trusted knows your plans and can alert authorities if there are problems.
- Arrange to make coded check calls to trusted people within and outside of the country. Select words that can be inserted into a phone call that can mean things are OK or they have gone bad.
- Put together contingency plans to cover any possible crisis situation, be it kidnapping or a serious car crash.
- Have several alternative planned routes by which to leave the country.
- Always keep your travel papers and a reasonable amount of cash hidden on your person that can be used in case of an emergency where it might not be possible or sensible for you to return to your hotel.
To find out more that Orlando Wilson writes about, check out International Security at amazon: