Summary

• Research the safety of your intended destination with the Department of Tourism.

• Carry with you at all times the contact details of your countries embassy.

• For up-to-date information on ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ areas of the city, consult with your hotel manager or local tourist and tourist information centres.

• Try to blend in with the locals and avoid looking or acting like a tourist.

• If you are mugged, don’t fight back. It is better to lose a little money and a valuable than get injured.

18 Travel tips you can’t afford to ignore :-

1. Don’t wear flashy jewellery –
Don’t wear your best jewellery on nights out. Keep expensive gadgets out of sight.

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Carry a decoy wallet
Keep your real wallet hidden and carry a decoy in your pocket. Make sure there are a few old banks- cards and a small amount of money in the decoy. This will fool muggers and pickpockets.

keep your all documents safe
Scan and photocopy important documents. This may offer you some insurance in the case of your docs being stolen.

Don’t be an obvious tourist
Avoid carrying a camera around your neck and guidebooks in your hand. Try to blend in and you won’t be an obvious target.

Don’t keep all your eggs in one basket
Never store all your cash and bank cards in one place.

Healthy scepticism
Don’t be too trusting. Keep a sceptical attitude when dealing with overly nice strangers.

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Invest in travel insurance
This can give you some peace of mind, as well as be a safety net in the event of trouble.

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Don’t drink too much
Being too intoxicated can make you an easy target for thieves and other nasty people.

Reconnaissance
Do a bit of research. Find out from the locals (and other experienced travellers) where the safest locations are

Keep an eye out for common scams
Before you head off on your travels, familiarise yourself with the destination’s common street scams. You’ll see them coming a mile off.

Learn the local language
Nothing says I’m a tourist – rob me! More than a loudmouth English speaker. By learning the local dialect you allow yourself to blend in

Learn about and respect local customs
Being disrespectful may cause the locals to resent you, and in turn, this can mean they’re less likely to help you if you’re in trouble.

Know the rules
Make sure you know the laws and rules of the destination traveller’s don’t inadvertently end up in jail.

Not all cash
Convert some of your cash into traveller’s cheques for added security.

Make use of public information
Before going on holiday, learn about your destination. You can find official advisories online.

Be aware of your surroundings
It’s easy to become absorbed by the sites, the history, and the culture. But don’t be so absorbed that you fail to notice the potential pickpocket lurking in the shadows.

Be wise with your wallet
If you’re going into busy areas where pickpockets might be lurking, don’t keep your wallet in the back pocket.

Know the number
Make sure you know the phone number of the local authorities. If you’re the victim of a crime, reports it immediately and make a complaint.