Jamaica and the Bahamas are reassure visitorsthe head of a travel agency company, says they have not seen any cancellations as a result.
“What we’re hearing is people are calling their resorts and working with their advisors to find out if security has been enhanced and if they have any concerns,” said John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Group. It means that there is.”
Safety experts say travelers should do their homework when deciding where to go on vacation and be cautious once they set out on a trip.
There are many things to consider when choosing a destination, including price, transportation, activities, and accommodations.but travel advisory It is also important to keep in mind those published by the U.S. Department of State.
Ben Thorne, senior intelligence manager at risk management firm Crisis24, said travelers should use these recommendations as a starting point to ask more questions. “Are only parts of the country or city considered off-limits?” What are your specific concerns? guidance that other countries It can also be a good resource to provide to the public.
Potential visitors should also pay attention to a destination’s overall stability and security environment, as well as whether there is a history of unrest, said Dave Komendat, senior security advisor at travel security firm International SOS. Stated.Department of State or world fact book Information from the CIA is a great resource, he said.
The Department of State provides: Page for travelers We recommend searching for information about the country you are visiting and checking the U.S. Embassy website for your destination as well. We have also compiled information regarding safety. international travel site.
Both Komendat and Thorne suggested checking out review sites such as: trip advisor Or use other travel forums to see what other guests have experienced with a particular resort’s staff or the surrounding area in general.
Visitors should also check the safety features of their accommodations, whether staying at Airbnb, hotels or resorts, Thorne said. Are there fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire suppression systems? Is there security at the front desk and cameras?
“The last thing you want to do is go in without knowing anything about the place,” he says.
The State Department said travelers should read it. Information page The countries they will be visiting should be made clear about the local laws and what can lead to them being arrested. Examples cited by the agency include having a stray bullet in his luggage and traveling with a product containing THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana.
The department said travelers should compile contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, family members, airlines and accommodations and keep it handy during their trip.
Also, people on spring break should understand what their health insurance will cover in other countries and Get insurance before traveling The insurance policy also includes medical evacuation, the ministry said.
Komendat encouraged students on spring break to enroll in State Department programs. Smart Traveler Registration Programprovides information about destinations and helps the U.S. Embassy track people in emergencies.
Experts emphasized the importance of knowing what to expect when arriving in a new place, especially a foreign destination.
Komendat said travelers should familiarize themselves with the process of clearing customs, collecting baggage and especially arranging transportation from their destination airport. On his own trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, he said he passed through pavilions where tour operators and transportation agencies marketed themselves to new arrivals.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d walk into that pavilion and say someone was here to take me to a hotel, when in fact it wasn’t,” he said. “Most hotels will provide specific transportation information.”
He said getting into the wrong vehicle could result in a longer-than-expected drive, more money than necessary, or worse.
“I’m always at point A. [to] Point B,” he said. “It doesn’t stop in the middle. That’s when you can run into problems.”
Thorne said that depending on where you are, taxis may be better than ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft, or they may carry higher risks. Ride-hailing services can be a good option in some places, and a bad option in others. Ask your hotel for advice on what to take, he said. Transportation provided by the hotel is ideal.
Spring Break travelers should pack as light as possible to avoid spending a lot of time dragging heavy luggage between pick-up and drop-off areas. It’s also wise to avoid arriving or leaving after dark, he said.
No matter the destination, Mr Thorne said it was most important for visitors to “increase situational awareness”.
“What this really means is not to be afraid or skeptical, but to be cautious and aware of your surroundings,” he said. That means you don’t have to be glued to your phone or listening to music or podcasts all the time. “That way, you can be a little more aware of changes in your surroundings.”
He said criminals are looking for people who are distracted, clearly new to the area or overwhelmed.
Mr Thorne said when drinking alcohol on holiday, travelers should always be careful with their drinks and never accept free drinks from strangers. A good practice is to only drink from sealed bottles or cans. You are the one who breaks the seal.Earlier this month, two women from Kentucky Suspect They were drugged and raped by staff at a resort on Grand Bahama Island during their cruise. They claimed their drinks were spiked, According to multiple outlets. This was announced by the Royal Bahamas Police Force. news release Two people were arrested for sexual assault.
Komendat said if you are visiting another country, especially one where English is not the main language, you should make sure you have a language translation app and know how to use it. He should also invest in a cell phone with an exchange rate calculator so he can use it when he travels overseas, and learn a system for calling for help in emergencies. The State Department said U.S. citizens in need of emergency assistance should also contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Medications should be placed in the original prescription bottle along with a copy of the prescription to avoid extra scrutiny, Komendat said.
Mr Thorne said tourists should be careful when people are very friendly, adding: “Especially in a tourist area, if conditions are incredibly good, someone might try to let your guard down. It’s normal to have one,” he said.
