Jamaica and the Bahamas have searched reassure visitorsand the head of a travel agency company says he sees no cancellations as a result.
“What we’re hearing is that people are calling resorts, working with advisors to find out if there’s enhanced security, there’s concern,” said John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group.
Safety experts say travelers should do this kind of homework when deciding where to go on vacation, and be careful when they’re traveling.
There is a lot to consider when choosing a destination: price, transport, activities, accommodation. Purpose travel advisories such as those issued by the US State Department are important to keep in mind as well.
Ben Thorne, senior intelligence manager at risk management firm Crisis24, said travelers should use those tips as a starting point to ask more questions: They are just the pockets of a country or a cities considered off-limits? What are the specific concerns? Guide what you do other countries providing its citizens could also be a good resource.
Dave Komendat, senior security adviser for International SOS, a travel security company, said potential visitors also pay attention to the overall stability and security environment of a destination and whether it has a history of disorder. The Department of State or World Factbook from the CIA are good resources, he said.
The State Department offers a page for travelers to look for information about the country they are visiting and encourage them to check the US Embassy website for the destination as well. It also compiles security information on a international travel if you.
Komendat and Thorne both suggest checking out review sites like Tripadvisor or other travel forums to see what other guests have experienced from the staff at a particular resort or the surrounding area in general.
Visitors should also check the safety features in their accommodations, whether they’re staying at an Airbnb or a hotel or resort, Thorne said. There are fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire suppression systems? Is there security at the reception or rooms?
“The last thing you want to do is go into a place completely blind,” he said.
The State Department said vacationers should be sure to read information page for the country they visit to be clear about the local laws and what could be arrested; Examples the department provided include having a stray bullet in your luggage and traveling with products containing THCthe psychoactive compound in marijuana.
According to the department, travelers should fill out the contacts for the nearest US Embassy or consulate, family members, airlines and accommodations and keep them handy during a trip.
And spring vacationers should understand what their health insurance will cover in other countries and get it insured before traveling with coverage that includes medical evacuation, the department said.
Komendat recommended that spring vacationers register with the State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Programwhich provides destination information and helps the US Embassy track people in an emergency.
Experts stressed the importance of knowing what to expect when arriving somewhere new, especially a foreign destination.
Komendat said travelers should familiarize themselves with the process of going through customs, collecting luggage and especially organizing transportation from the airport to their destination. On his own trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, he said, he walks through a pavilion where tour operators and transportation services make pitches to new arrivals.
“If you didn’t know better, you’d be standing in that pavilion and someone would tell you they’re there to take you to your hotel when in fact they’re not,” he said. “Most hotels will provide specific pick-up and drop-off information.”
He said getting into the wrong vehicle could result in a longer than expected trip, one that is more expensive than it should be or worse.
“I’m still very Point A [to] Point B,” he said. “I don’t stop in between. That’s when you can run into problems.”
Thorne said, depending on where you are, sometimes taxis can be better than that a transport service like Uber or Lyft – or they might carry a higher risk. Ride haling might be a good option in some places, or not so good in others. Ask the hotel for advice on what to take, he said; The transportation provided by the hotel is ideal.
Spring vacationers should also pack as light as possible so they don’t spend a lot of time lugging heavy luggage between pickup and drop-off areas. It’s also wise to try to avoid arriving or leaving after dark, he said.
In any destination, Thorne said it is most important for visitors to maintain a “heightened sense of situational awareness.”
“What this is really about is not being afraid or skeptical, but being careful and paying attention to your surroundings,” he said. This means not being buried in a phone or tuned in to listen to music or a podcast at all times. “It will help you to have a little more attention to the changes in what is around.”
He said criminals look for people who are distracted, obviously unfamiliar with the area or overwhelmed.
When drinking alcohol on vacation, Thorne said travelers should always keep an eye on their drink and never accept free drinks from strangers. A good approach is to only drink from bottles or cans that are sealed – and you are the one who breaks the seal. Earlier this month, two women from Kentucky presumed they were drugged and raped by staff members at a resort in Grand Bahama, where they stopped during their cruise. They claimed that their drinks were fortified, according to several outlets. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a news release made two arrests for sexual assault.
When visiting another country, especially one where English is not the primary language, Komendat said people should make sure they have a language translation app and know how to use it. They also have to put an exchange calculator in their phone, spend the money to be able to use a phone in foreign destinations and learn the system to call for help in an emergency. The State Department said that a US citizen who needs emergency help should also contact the nearest US Embassy or consulate.
To avoid additional examination, medication must be in original prescription bottles with a copy of the prescription, Komendat said.
Thorne said visitors should be cautious when people are extremely friendly: “Usually when a situation is too good to be true, especially in a tourist destination, someone tries to let their guard down.”
