The recent deaths of American tourists in Dominican Republic resorts have left a lot of us asking: what should I do to keep safe during my next travel abroad? Although the reasons behind these tragic deaths are still unclear, there are some important tips and tricks to remember to stay safe when traveling abroad. The best advice: hope for the best, plan for the worst. Research Plan Watch Research When deciding where to go for vacation, it’s important to invest a little time finding out about the area of interest. Resort brochures are intended to entice and showcase facilities in the best possible light. It’s a good rule of thumb to look up the intended location through unbiased eyes. Check the US Department of State’s website for possible travel alerts/warnings Look up the destination on reputable “unbiased” review sites (e.g. TripAdvisor, Fodor’s) ASK people in your network if they have traveled to the intended destination Search for regional travel scams (e.g. the “gold ring scam” in Paris) Overall, the best research is gleaned from people who have traveled to the destination themselves. Do not blindly book your destination after watching/reading carefully created marketing promotions. Those resources only show the...
Continue reading