Personal Security
Travelling anywhere in the world always involves a few risks and when on holiday everyone has the tendency to 'switch off' a little when winding down. However, in matters involving your personal wellbeing we urge you to take all reasonable precautions to ensure that you and your companions travel safely.
Although it is extremely unlikely that you will have any trouble whilst away there are a few tips that, if followed, will go a long way to ensuring you do not encounter any difficulties.
Remember:
- En route to Asia: Do not mark your luggage with your home address and always carry your valuables in your hand luggage.
- Always keep your valuable items and travel documents in a hotel safe when one is available. At times you will be leaving destinations early in the morning, it is important to remind each to clear any safes before departure. You do not want to be hundreds of miles up the coast before you realise you have left your passport behind.
- Keep your cameras and expensive items out of view when walking busy streets. Try to just carry one bag - if you find yourself in a crowd, keep it securely in your hands and in front of you. This proves a lot harder to do when you are carrying two or more items.
- Money belts are a great solution for carrying your passport and money. However, they lose their value if you have to reach into them in front of peering eyes to pay for lunch or for a souvenir. We suggest carrying a small amount of money in a wallet or a purse and leave the bulk out of eyeshot.
- Stay on marked paths when outside of urban area. Many countries have experienced turbulent times in relatively recent years and the paths are there for everyone’s safety.
- Expensive jewellery? Simple - do not bring it with you. It is much better left somewhere safe at home where you won’t be tempting fate. You will be surrounded by hundreds of interesting little trinkets to purchase if your wrist, neck or fingers are feeling naked!
- Do not leave your bags unattended. If you need to use a bathroom, take it with you; if you are having a dance take it with you; if you are going swimming…well, use your common sense in this instance (ask your guide or friends to look after it)!
- At each hotel, familiarise yourself with the Fire Exits and other safety requirements. If there is a beach and/or swimming pool check the depths before entering and at the coast take local advice on sea conditions. If travelling with small children, look out for potential hazards e.g. unprotected open water, glass doors, balconies etc.
- Do not offer to change money or to carry anything for a stranger.
- Do not purchase drugs, offensive material or weapons.
In the unlikely event that you do have an item stolen, or you are involved in a fracas of any sort…do not try and deal with the matter yourself. In most Asian countries crimes involving tourists are dealt with very seriously and the police are by far the best solution. Don’t spoil the rest of your holiday or injure yourself over a camera that can be replaced by your insurance company.
British Foreign & Commonwealth Office
For our UK customers we recommend you refer to the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) web site for specific advice about your chosen destination. The safety of our clients is paramount and as a matter of course we follow the advice of the FCO: it goes without saying that their first priority is the safety of British Citizens and they will always err on the side of caution. They have many thousands of employees all over the world whose job it is to monitor political, social and economic situations in the country in which they live. They feed back information and advice to the FCO, which in turn assesses the information and disseminates its recommendations via its Travel Advice service (see link to website below).