Travel Safety: Don't Become a Target
July 14, 2008
Make use of these proven strategies to stay safe abroad
By Edward L. Lee II
Last year, an account executive for a major Fortune 100 company traveled to Barcelona on a business trip. Being relatively new to foreign travel, the executive had just claimed his luggage in the customs area of the airport and proceeded into the arrival section of the airport, where he stopped to exchange some dollars for euros.
Unfortunately, while preoccupied with changing out his money and presenting his passport, he reached down to pick up his briefcase … only to discover it wasn't there. Panic suddenly consumed the traveler, as he realized he had become a victim of one of Spain's lesser-known art forms: larceny.
The result was a sabotaged trip that entailed hours dealing with the police, missed meetings, lost proprietary information on his laptop, a trip to the embassy, loss of a Blackberry (which hadn't been backed up in weeks) and no means of communicating with home.
Unfortunately, crime against American business travelers is a daily occurrence. In fact, a recent survey of foreign travelers conducted by AOL revealed that 22% of Americans reported being a victim of crime while traveling internationally.
In short, there's plenty you need to be aware of before you take your next business trip abroad. Not only is the potential of a terrorist act abroad far more probable than at home, but for a number of reasons, crime against foreign travelers has actually gone up dramatically in the years since 9/11:
• Foreign police agencies in most countries have been forced into devoting the majority of their resources to anti-terrorism, rather than crime prevention.
• Increasingly, street criminals carry firearms.
• Crime in developing countries has worsened as the rich get richer and poor get poorer.
• Density in urban areas has caused crime to mushroom in most countries.
As we all know, even in the midst of a sluggish economy, opportunities abroad depend on the demand for specific goods and services. Therefore, despite the threat of international crime and terrorism, global companies will continue to send sales executives abroad. It's imperative that these same companies establish an overseas security program, the five basic elements of which are:
1. An internal briefing program (be it classroom-based or online via the corporate Intranet) that shows travelers how to reduce their personal risk abroad, as well as to make them aware of the threats they will face in the countries the company operates in.
2. International medical treatment and evacuation coverage, in acknowledgement of the fact U.S.-based PPOs and HMOs are almost never accepted in foreign countries and emergency medical care may need to be paid for in advance.
3. Use of a centralized travel provider, whose function is to monitor and track the location of travelers anywhere in the world. This is critical in the event of terrorist threats, incidents or natural disasters, or in the event of a death in the traveler's family.
4. A corporate crisis management plan that applies to the business on a global level, so that security incidents affecting the company and its staff can be handled promptly and ensure business continuity.
5. An internal or outsourced capability with a reputable security consultancy to respond to international threats and incidents.
The simple fact of the matter is, sales forces working abroad without the above components in place are at greater risk of being victimized. That said, in the absence of such a program being available, the following 10 tips are immediate steps travelers can take to reduce their risk of becoming a crime victim abroad:
1. Go to www.travel.state.gov and download the U.S. State Department's up-to-date reports on the country you will be traveling to, so you're aware of the threats and behavior that can get you into trouble.
2. Purchase a quad-band, unlocked cell phone that will work anywhere in the world. Your U.S.-based cell phone may not work abroad and, if it does, the per-minute cost could be as high as $5. A quad-band cell will be your life-link in the event of an emergency. Ensure the phone's speed-dialer has the numbers of key company staff at home and abroad, your hotel phone number, your international medical provider, the number for local police and hospitals, and key contacts at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate—particularly the regional security officer (RSO).
3. If at all possible, don't rent cars abroad. You could be jailed if you injure someone and, depending on where you are, may increase your risk of being carjacked. Less seriously, you stand a good chance of being cited by police for not knowing the rules of the road.
4. Try very hard not to stand out as an American. Avoid apparel, logos and insignias that identify you as such, and get a passport wallet that doesn't feature the Great Seal of the U.S. Laptops should be carried in a padded knapsack—not an upscale black computer bag.
5. If you're carrying a laptop, digital camera or MP3 player, consider insuring this equipment through www.safeware.com. Coverage includes theft, loss, damage and confiscation.
6. Register your trip with the U.S. State Department before you leave on your trip (travel.state.gov). This will enable U.S. diplomats to reach you in the event of a threat against Americans, an evacuation of U.S. citizens or notifying you of an emergency back home.
7. To learn more about the level of corruption in a given country, visit www.transparency.org.
8. If you need to carry business equipment or professional samples through foreign customs, obtain an ATA Carnet (www.atacarnet.com).
9. Have a physical examination before any international travel. Keep in mind that more than 6,000 Americans die abroad every year.
10. Be aware that overseas, you're viewed as wealthy. Leave expensive jewelry and watches at home, carry little cash, leave unnecessary credit cards at home, use hotel taxis only and dress down when you can. Above all else, remember that being out late at night (especially alone) is a recipe for disaster.
Educating yourself on threats abroad isn't being alarmist: It's essential in an unpredictable world where anything can happen.
Edward L. Lee II is a retired U.S. State Department special agent and RSO who spent much of his career protecting U.S. diplomats and American business executives abroad. He is now managing director of Sleeping Bear Risk Solutions and the author of Staying Safe Abroad: Traveling, Working and Living in a Post-9/11 World. For more information about the company or the book, visit www.sbrisksolutions.com.
Sales & Marketing Management Magazine
This article is brought to you by Sales & Marketing Management, the leading authority for executives in the sales and marketing field.
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