| word count: 614character width: 60resource box: 2 | | | | Find out what you can before you leave, and then |
| lines + url link to | | | | take localadvice when you get there. Chat with your |
| ============== | | | | taxi driver andyour hotel manager. You'll find out 99% |
| "How Business Travellers Can Stay Safe in the | | | | of what you needto know from these two guys ! |
| Worlds | | | | So, before you go you've already found out about |
| Hotspots" | | | | good andbad areas of town. You've learned enough |
| - by John Williams | | | | to book a goodhotel in a good area. Then you'll fill in |
| © DigiLectual Inc. 2004 | | | | more detail whenyou get there (manager, taxi driver |
| ============== | | | | etc.) |
| Business travellers increasingly find themselves | | | | But what if things go wrong ? |
| needing tovisit hotspots. Outside Europe and America, | | | | Okay, you've taken steps to reduce your risk. |
| many countriesneed special care. Obviously, Iraq | | | | Butaccidents sometimes happen. You might get |
| wouldn't be the numberone choice for a business trip. | | | | robbed in broaddaylight on a busy street, though it's |
| But other countries, like | | | | unlikely. |
| Saudi Arabia or parts of the Far East, require | | | | Get proper insurance. Standard travel insurance |
| attentiontoo. | | | | coversmost situations, and you should check with your |
| Horrific stories of kidnapping and murder scare | | | | broker. |
| anyoneplanning to visit a hotspot. But what are the real | | | | Not all insurance covers business travel, so check. |
| risks ? | | | | Insome higher risk countries, you might need |
| And what can you do to minimize those risks ? | | | | specialistinsurance. Yes, you can get insurance to |
| Let's make a list, and discuss each in turn. | | | | cover emergencyevacuation, or even payment to |
| * Kidnapping | | | | skilled negotiators to helpsecure your release. |
| * Attack | | | | But you only need insurance when it's already too late. |
| * Robbery | | | | Make contingency plans to get yourself out of a |
| * Accident | | | | badsituation. You've got backup plans for your |
| It's reassuring to discover few travellers fall victim | | | | computersystems and other business operations. |
| tokidnapping. Kidnap victims are usually local people | | | | Make backup plansfor yourself. |
| orresident expatriates. Why ? Probably because | | | | If you get caught in political disruption or naturaldisaster, |
| travellersare unpredictable. Kidnappers don't know their | | | | what will you do ? Communication usuallydisappears |
| plans,where they're staying, or even that they're there | | | | first. Buy or borrow a mobile phone that workslocally. |
| at all ! | | | | Take your own tri-band phone, or rent a phonelocally |
| Random attacks are much more likely, but the risk of | | | | at the airport. Make sure you've got a localcontact |
| thesecan be much minimized, as we'll discuss later. | | | | who can get messages back if necessary (agree |
| Robbery - theft of possessions and money can be | | | | thisin advance). |
| commonamong travellers. But these risks can also be | | | | So there's little need to worry about the more |
| minimized. | | | | horrificincidents we see on T.V every day. But more |
| The biggest threat to business travellers comes | | | | mundane risks,such as robbery or attack can be |
| fromaccidents. The number of road accidents, in | | | | minimized by the rightpreparation. Use the internet to |
| particular,far exceeds any deaths in terrorist incidents. | | | | research where you'regoing, and use the U.S and U.K |
| How to minimize risk | | | | Government web sites for up-to-date advice. |
| Reduce your risk by good preparation. Learn about | | | | =============== |
| thecountry and city you plan to visit. A number of | | | | Discover useful information, and some of the best |
| websiteswill help your research. The U.S State | | | | cheaphotels deals on the internet. Click |
| Department runs awebsite at The British | | | | ==> |
| Foreign Office maintains a website at - youcan find | | | | ** Attn Ezine editors / Site Owners ** |
| constantly updated general and country specifictravel | | | | Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in yourezine |
| advice. | | | | or on your site so long as you leave all links inplace, do |
| If you get advice, follow it. Don't ignore it. Keep a | | | | not modify the content and include my resourcebox as |
| lowprofile where possible, and don't draw | | | | listed above. |
| unfavourableattention. Is that a good neighbourhood | | | | If you do use the article please send me a note so I |
| you plan to walkaround ? How about that quaint little | | | | can take a look. Thanks. |
| bar ? Maybe it's thelocal criminal hangout ? | | | | |