Traveling safely around the world - what service managers should consider when traveling

Many service managers travel not only within Europe, but all over the world. Some countries are comparatively safe, others are very challenging due to crime, poor infrastructure and the like. There is no such thing as absolute safety anywhere, not even in Germany.

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the current confrontation between the West and the Russian Federation are also not necessarily making international travel any more pleasant. In the latter case, the full extent of the consequences will probably only become fully apparent in the future. However, the war in Ukraine in particular shows how quickly the transition from normality to a crisis situation can take place. Being as prepared as possible then suddenly becomes very important.

In order to protect yourself from unpleasant situations in general and especially as a traveler, it is essential to sharpen your own powers of observation as well as to know how to avoid or get out of dicey situations. Of course, it always depends on which country and which region of a country you are traveling in. Do you move around in the capital or rather in the hinterland, constantly accompanied by the customer's employees or alone, in armored vehicles or in normal cars, in cabs or on foot?

The following information is intended to raise awareness, open eyes and provide assistance to ensure safe travel and a safe return. They help to minimize risks! This text cannot replace comprehensive training in the areas of mindset, posture, perception training, behavior in the event of kidnapping and terrorist attacks, which is implemented with the help of exercises.

Before the trip

Train attention

Good travel preparation is important and starts quite simply: with paying attention. Paying attention and observing what is going on around you in a relaxed manner can be practiced at any time and in any place. For sensitization, the Cooper Color Code a good tool. The first rule is never to be unconscious and mentally unprepared. Vigilant behavior often prevents attacks. Perpetrators want to surprise their victims, whether it's pickpocketing or kidnapping. Those who are alert are difficult to surprise.

Federal Foreign Office

It goes without saying that you should check the travel advice issued by the Federal Foreign Office for the country you intend to visit before you travel. The safety instructions must be distinguished from the travel warnings or partial travel warnings. Warnings mean danger to life and limb, which is why no company can force employees to travel to these regions. After this initial information, the next step is to register in the ELEFAND list of the Federal Foreign Office. In the event of an incident, e.g. political unrest or a natural disaster, you will be notified immediately by email and provided with information on your own safety and how to proceed if necessary. The "Safe travel" app of the Federal Foreign Office sends up-to-date information about the situation on the ground as push notifications to cell phones.

Passport copies and emergency slips

Scans of passports, flight tickets and any other important documents should be backed up on the PC at home and at the company. Paper copies of these will not do any harm if the documents or the cell phone with the electronic data are stolen. This means that new documents can be issued quickly at the consulate. In general, it remains important to have an emergency note with the most important telephone numbers and contact details with you on every trip, which can be hidden in your shoe, for example. The excuse "I have them all in my cell phone" doesn't count. In the event of a robbery, this is the first thing to go.

First-aid kit

Many companies provide their employees with first-aid kits. It is advisable to read the package inserts before traveling, because in an emergency you often have neither the time nor the nerves to do so. This can easily lead to a dangerous overdose of medication. Medication must of course be checked regularly for expiry dates. In many countries, medicines are cheaper than in Germany, but the market in Asian and African countries is increasingly riddled with counterfeit products, which is why it is usually better to take medicines with you from home.

Clarify collection

Depending on the country you are traveling to, it is important to clarify who will pick you up at the airport before you start your journey. It is best to not only get the name, but also a photo. Unfortunately, there are countries where there are many people at the airport with criminal tendencies, hoping to make a profit from an inexperienced newcomer.

Travel in the country

Transfer

If no transfer has been arranged for your arrival, please be careful with cab drivers. As a rule of thumb, never let a driver pick you out, but always choose a cab yourself. If you specifically approach a European, you will usually be asked to pay a higher fare or worse.

Hotels

When choosing a hotel, pay attention to the location in a safe part of the city as well as the room location and floor. The first floor is noisy. Too high up is also not good if you need to escape in the event of a robbery or fire. Fire escapes usually only reach up to the third floor. It is useful to find the nearest emergency exit after checking in so that you know the quickest way out in the event of a fire or robbery. If there are numbered keys, it is best not to leave them on the breakfast table with the number facing upwards, following the motto "Room 203 has breakfast, room free for theft". It should be a matter of course not to leave valuables lying around in the room so as not to tempt any of the staff.

On the road

When walking, visiting markets, restaurants and bars, wealth should not be flaunted. Expensive watches, expensive bags and expensive shoes are best left at the hotel or at home. Please do not put your cell phone loosely in your trouser pocket, but carry it concealed. It is useful to permanently expand your comfort zone if you are staying in one place for a longer period of time. In other words, explore the hotel and the surrounding area by constantly trying out new routes to reception or in the neighborhood in order to expand your local knowledge of alternative routes.

Low Profile

In order not to immediately stand out as a foreigner, it is good, as far as possible, to adapt to the appearance of the local population in terms of clothing style, gait, movement, etc.. Through this so-called low profile you attract less attention and have a good chance of falling through the cracks of criminals because they don't register you as a stranger. Every criminal act consists of several steps, and the first is to choose the victim. Logically, a perpetrator chooses the person who seems easiest for him to carry out his plan.

Bars and pubs

Most unpleasant incidents happen in bars, e.g. in Mexico. So it's best to go out with local colleagues or customers, stay sober or both. Be careful with new male and female acquaintances in bars. Often enough, the evening ends with a so-called express kidnapping at an ATM.

After the trip

If you experience symptoms of illness such as fever after your trip, it is important to tell your doctor that you have been abroad. A flu-like fever attack can be caused by malaria, among many other things.

Intercultural knowledge contributes to safety

Depending on who you meet in a country, whether you are talking to a boss with a doctorate in the USA or to people who have never been outside their home region, intercultural knowledge is valuable. It helps to assess people's behavior and reactions. For example, if a German perceives it as threatening when a stranger gets too close, this physical proximity may correspond to the usual cultural distance or non-distance in the country visited. Your own clothing is also important in order to avoid unintentionally provoking people, as shorts on men and women look like underwear in many predominantly Islamic countries.

Intercultural competence has saved many a life, especially in crisis countries and situations. Not only because these people were able to assess when things were getting dangerous. But in many cases because they had managed to build up a good relationship with local employees and were therefore warned in good time of an impending attack or received other helpful tips.

Impact of the coronavirus pandemic on business travelers

Increased poverty

The coronavirus pandemic has pushed millions of people into absolute poverty in many countries that were already difficult to travel to, such as Nigeria, South Africa and some South American regions. This means that they have less than USD 1.90 a day at their disposal. Jobs or informal income opportunities have been lost, which is why many are forced to find new ways of earning money to feed themselves and their (extended) families. If there are no jobs, crime, such as theft and robbery, seems to be the last resort for some.

Slump in tourism

In addition, tourism has collapsed worldwide. This affects all types of accommodation, restaurants, bars and transportation service providers. More people than before are therefore concentrating on far fewer travelers, both to make money from them legally and illegally. If you do not need a service offered, it is important to refuse it in a friendly but firm manner and with the right body language. However, if a desired service has been provided, it is more important than ever for many people in Asian or African countries to receive an appropriate tip. Emphasis on appropriate! If you throw too much money around, you risk attracting attention and arousing desires.

Travel yes or no

An employee's consent to travel to high-incidence areas does not release the employer from their duty of care. The employer must ensure that employees are protected in the best possible way on site. Instead of relying on a general assurance that everything will be done to ensure safety, it is necessary to ask specific questions: Does the insurance cover also apply to a stay in a risk area? What are the quarantine regulations at the destination and after returning home? What coronavirus safety measures does the airline offer and what about the hotel? Hotels with more stars and comfort are usually better positioned when it comes to cleaning, disinfection and social distancing in the breakfast room or elevator. How is medical care guaranteed? And can a dedicated driver be provided for trips around the country instead of constantly changing cabs? Sufficient masks and disinfectant should be included in your luggage, as you don't know whether and in what quality they will be available at your destination.

The above points provide a brief insight into what you need to bear in mind when traveling in foreign and possibly dangerous countries. The topic of what to do in the event of kidnappings and terrorist attacks is also something that has to be dealt with in many regions of the world. However, this will not be dealt with here, as an abbreviated presentation does not reflect the significance of these two events and only creates fear. There is room for these topics in the protected framework of face-to-face and online events on travel safety. Internationally active service organizations cannot and should not neglect the problem of travel security in all its facets. The author's book also contains tips on what to do.

www.boehmer-bauer.de