Be a Responsible and Safe Tourist by Learning These Two Things in Advance
We’ve all seen bad stories about vacation going wrong, about someone who went on vacation and something bad happened to him, from being stuck alone in the desert to being fell into the trap of fraud. For example, there is a recent story about the people of Iceland fed up with tourists who arrive unprepared for the country’s rugged terrain, putting themselves at risk and causing serious problems for the locals. Some of these incidents are just bad luck, but often they could be easily avoided if the situation was carefully planned.
If you are traveling alone , you should take extra care of what you have planned to make sure you don’t end up having to resort to a rescue team or take advantage of a location where you have no one. to help you. But whether you are traveling alone or with a partner or a group, there are two main areas you should explore before you hit the road:
Prepare for the local environment and activities
Unless you’re solely spending time on the beach sipping cocktails, you’re going to be planning activities for your trip, and depending on what you mean, that might require some safety research. A few general things to watch out for beforehand:
- Hiking : If you are planning to go outdoors, be prepared for the conditions you will encounter. Put on the right shoes and other clothing, bring water and know how to get back to civilization.
- Hiking and Camping: Do not hike or hike for the first time in another country. You should have sufficient experience to know what supplies to take with you, how to properly store food and other scented items (which may attract wildlife), and what to do in an emergency. You may also need to make a reservation or apply for a permit well in advance.
- Guided Tours : Read reviews on independent sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor to make sure your travel company is operating legally, isn’t overcharging you, or wasting your time. If you’re working with an individual, ask them for referrals or get referrals from friends.
You also need to be honest with yourself about whether you or other members of your group are physically ready for the hike, walk, or other planned outdoor activities. Reviews, descriptions of events or places in travel guides, and local bloggers can be good sources to find out these details.
Background information about the places you visit
You should also know a thing or two about this place or places on your itinerary.
- Are there areas you should avoid? When deciding where to stay, you will want to explore your accommodation, yes, but also the area you are staying in, as well as anything you plan to visit .. Forums like TripAdvisor , reddit (look for the subreddit of the city you are visiting), and Yelp can give you an idea of what it will be like to stay in the area, and Instagram can help you figure out where public policy events might be taking place . If possible, you can look at crime maps in the city to see which areas might be the most dangerous. You should also follow this checklist when you arrive at your hotel or other accommodation. If you need to, mark places to avoid on a city map (or better yet, create your own Google map for the entire trip ) so you can still be spontaneous without going into a bad neighborhood.
- What types of fraud are common ? Nobody likes to be tricked, so know what to look for and avoid, even if it’s just a high rate of pickpocketing. There are regional scams in some places that you may not have heard of before. For example, someone offers to take your photo and then either asks for money for their services or steals your phone / camera.
- How do you get around? If you plan on using public transport , familiarize yourself with how it works so you can feel confident using it (and be less motivated).
- What resources do you have if something goes wrong? Knowing where you can turn if something happens can save your trip from ruining. The State Department’s Smart Traveler app and software is useful for alerts and warnings. Finding out where your nearest embassy is is key in an emergency, as they can provide assistance with everything from seeking medical attention to replacing a stolen passport.
Safety is not the most exciting part of your trip to think about, but if you do a little research before leaving, things will go smoother and you will have peace of mind during your travels without being forced on the locals.