Comments on: Traveling for business, safely

By: aaron, boulder,co

aaron, boulder,co — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:26:37 +0000

all good advice here. also: keep multiple xeroxes of your passport, USE THE HOTEL SAFE, have spare cash, and an spare credit card.

insist that your employer contracts with a company like http://www.internationalsos.com to cover you in a real emergency.

By: Cass, Philadelphia, PA

Cass, Philadelphia, PA — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:51:44 +0000

One relatively easy and inexpensive option is to get international health insurance and evacuation coverage if you’re traveling to a “high risk” area. Granted, it’s unlikely you’ll be involved with a terrorist attack – but who really wants to take that chance?

Annie – let me know if you want to do a follow-up story on these tools for travelers. (coryl@gobraithwaite.com)

By: David Betts, Guadalajara, Mexico

David Betts, Guadalajara, Mexico — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:19:33 +0000

I have lived in Mexico for 15 years. For my safty, I dress down even for business. I take only taxis from the Hotels and let the hotel management know. meetings are in the hotel whenever possible.

By: Marco, Bethlehem, PA

Marco, Bethlehem, PA — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:22:30 +0000

I travel to Haiti which is under a travel advisory but the State Dept. I do it for humanitarian reasons but same cautions apply to me as to any business person.
I avoid transfers after dark, I am laways escorted by knowledgeable locals, I do not obstentate large amounts of cash. I am aware of surroundings and I am kind to everyone I am come into contact.
I also leave my passport in a secure place while I am there.
These are all common sense measures but are very important: I have 35 years of experience traveling abroad and never had a problem even in very harsh hot spots.
Best of luck to all you travelers out there!

By: Marvin, Waterloo Ontario Canada

Marvin, Waterloo Ontario Canada — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:26:26 +0000

The chances of actually coming to harm during business or leisure travel are exceedingly slim. The horrors of the attack in Mumbai bring the issue to light, but the fact is that you’re far more likely to be struck by lightning.

The best advice I ever heard about travelling, either for business or leisure, is to realize that there are two types of airline luggage: carry-on, and lost.

If I can’t carry it onboard with me, I don’t take it. Full stop. If I leave something behind (like an extra pair of socks or something) I simply buy it there. I upload all my vital documents to Google and can access them anywhere with a computer.

By: Andre, Chicago, IL

Andre, Chicago, IL — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:47:50 +0000

I live in The US but I am originally from Brazil and I travel often to South America and Africa.
I think Annie’s advices are a great reminder for all that travel abroad.
The only advice I would add is to have common sense and be sensitive but not necessarily in constant fear.
Think like this, would you walk alone on the streets of some large U.S. cities? Probably not, so why would you do that abroad.
Trust the locals and their knowledge and you will be okay and honestly you will have fun as well.

By: Priya, Bangalore, India

Priya, Bangalore, India — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:21:20 +0000

I work for a large MNC in India. My advise to foreign travelers given the situation in India is as follows

1. keep a low key profile, try not staying in the most obvious 4-5 start hotels, there are new 4-5 start which are less known but equally as comfortable as their more popular cousins. Check out chains like Ista Hotel at Bangalore and HYD, or Asiana chain at CHenna etc. Avoiding the obvious ones is a smart thing to do at least for the next few quarters

2. If you are a high level senior executive and a possible target for any local kidnapping, make your trip unpredictable, do not announce in advance that you are coming, change your schedules or hotels at the last minute, sure they are a hassle for your admin, but the element of uncertainty works in your favor

Avoid addressing employee all-hands in non-company venues. This is a big no-no, if you are the CEO/Chairman and have to address your employees do it at your office and if there isn’t enough space, just cancel it, or do it in 2-3 sessions.