What to Carry With You (apart from Travellers Cheques)
What to leave behind?
Other Planning Tips
Staying Safe
At the Hotel
Street Smart
What to do when you are a Victim of crime

What to Carry With You (apart from Travellers Cheques)

• Besides the originals, a copy of your passport, travel visas, airline tickets and travel documents. A list of any charge or credit cards you are carrying. Remember to keep the copies seperate from the originals.
• An International Driving Licence, which can be obtained through the automobile association. Even if you are not planning to drive, bring your driver's licence with photo for identification.
• An "in case of emergency card" that includes your blood type, allergies, and special medical conditions, along with the names and numbers for your doctors.
• Your Medical Insurance Identification Card.
• Additional supply of prescription medicines, an extra pair of eyeglasses, and don't miss to keep a list of your medicines in your carry-on luggage.

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What to leave behind?

• A copy of your Passport, Travel Visas, airline tickets, insurance documents and a list of any charge or credit cards.
• A copy of your Itinerary and phone numbers.
• A copy of your Travellers Cheques' serial numbers.

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Other Planning Tips

• Check that your passport is NOT close to expiring.
• Avoid putting travel documents, prescription medicines, valuables or travellers cheques in checked baggage.
• Sign each Travellers Cheque in the top left corner to protect yourself in case of loss or theft.
• Put your name, address, and telephone number inside each piece of checked and carry-on luggage.
• Use your Business Address, if possible, on your luggage.
• Use Lockable Luggage.
• Register valuable items such as cameras, laptop computers, and jewellery with Customs, before departing. (It also saves you import fees when you return)
• Consider purchasing special international health insurance and medical evaluation plan programmes.
• Plan to travel in comfortable, casual clothing to avoid attracting attention.

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Staying Safe

• Never leave your luggage, briefcase or other items unattended. When you set them down,place them between your feet, or against your leg.
• Watch your carry-on items closely when they go through security; Thieves are known to take items off the end of the unit while you are held up in the screening process.
• Avoid currency exchange windows if possible, or exchange only a small amount. Do not let others see how much currency you are carrying.
• Be wary of imposter porters. Assure they are properly uniformed or identified.
• Note how many pieces of luggage and other items you brought with you, and count them each time they are handled.
• Use only authorised, properly identified taxis and buses. Avoid taxis that pick up additional passengers.
• Assure that the whole luggage is placed inside the taxi trunk and the lid is closed before entering the taxi.
• Don't accept an offer to share a taxi to your hotel unless you know the individual.

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At the Hotel

• Obtain a Safety Deposit Box upon check-in for your passport, visas, airline ticket, most of your cash, travellers cheques, jewellery and valuables. Carry only a passport photocopy.
• Never leave valuables in your room, even in locked luggage or guest-room safes.
• Avoid displaying the sign requesting room-cleaning service; it identifies that the room is unoccupied. Make such requests in person to the cleaning personnel or the front desk.
• Keep a television or radio switched on in the room when out; it gives the impression that the room is occupied.

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Street Smart

• Be aware that criminals occasionally use children and 'helpless' women in their distraction ruses.
• Carry only that much amount of cash or travellers cheques that you expect to use during your trip, away from your hotel.
• Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets.
• Women should carry their purses close to their bodies with the latch side facing in. If possible, carry money and identification in a seperate, small wallet in your pocket.
• Consider wearing a money belt or fanny pack.
• Carry small amount of cash seperate from the rest of your money so that you dont have to "flash your cash" when making a small purchase.
• Go to ATMS that are well-lit and in secure locations. If you must use an ATM, don't withdraw large amount of money at one time and don't let a possible thief see where you keep it on your person.
• Be extra alert in areas where large crowds congregate or where others might naturally stand close to you: airports, trains, bus stations, elevators, escalators and open-air markets.
• Exercise caution before trying to help if a "fight" suddenly breaks out; the antagonists may be criminal partners.
• Walk in the middle of a sidewalk; too close to the road leaves you open to thieves on motorbikes known to grab purses as they ride past.
• Travel with a Detailed Map and prominently mark the hotel, embassy and police station. Familiarise yourself with the directions before leaving the hotel. Don't stand on a busy corner trying to read the map, your belongings may disappear; find a safe place like a cafe to sit and look at the map.
• Carry a piece of hotel stationery with you; it comes in handy when communicating with local taxi drivers.

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What to Do When You are a Victim of Crime

• Don't resist a robber; Your life or safety is more important than whatever you are carrying.
• Scream, yell, get help.
• Have your local contact or the hotel manager assist you in contacting the police to report a theft.
• Keep a copy of the police report; you need it for verification with insurance and in replacing stolen cards/travellers cheques.
• Report any lost or stolen credit or charge cards immediately.
• Contact the embassy and the appropriate airline if your passport and airline tickets are lost or stolen. Use your extra copies to expedite replacement.