In the wake of the murders of the two young British travellers in Thailand and the recent avalanche in Nepal that left about 40 dead, any traveller would want to know how to stay safe while on travel.
Stopping one’s itch to see the world and experience various adventures and thrill is, of course not the answer. Yet, travellers must continue to strive to seek a safe travel especially when adventuring in remote and exotic locations. Thus, it does make sense to know “How safe is your holiday destination?” Check out this article that talked about the results of a survey undertaken by CNN’s Global Tourism on travel perceptions and trends. This has been published at CNN – Travel Section.
The Survey Said…
What do globetrotters think when packing their bags to see various destinations around the world? Here are what the respondents from 70 countries said:
… Though cost is an important factor in deciding on a vacation destination, today’s international travelers are putting safety first, according to a new study by CNN.
The global study of CNN consumers’ travel perceptions and behavioral trends asked respondents from more than 70 countries to identify key influencing factors in their decision-making process before traveling for leisure or business.
The survey finds that for more than two-thirds of global respondents, safety and security is of greatest concern when choosing an international travel destination.
Cost ranks second, reflecting the continuing impact of the economic crisis on consumers.
“Reputation” is the third most important factor for respondents when considering travel destinations…
Giving security weight even when the economy is shaky is a strong gauge of how important it is to travellers. With reputation being recognized as another factor that globetrotters consider in picking their destination, it is imperative that nations interested in pushing their tourism work on improving their image to the global community.
Picking Destinations
If safety is a priority, how can you pick a safe destination? While there is risk virtually everywhere, some places tend to be more dangerous. It can be in terms of peace and order, the nature of your activities and habits, and those two combined. For instance, mountain climbing can be more risky in extremely high mountains such as Everest in Nepal or k2 in Pakistan than in a Welsh mountain that’s perfect for families such as Cader Idris, Snowdon and Pen y Fan. Cross country skiing tends to be more dangerous than skiing in a well-groomed piste; and skiing/snowboarding are considered to be more risky than snowshoeing or riding snow mobiles.
There are certain ways to estimate “safety and security.” One way is through Canada’s interactive map from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This map can show red marks or warnings that means “avoid all travel; an example is Afghanistan. There are also marks that remind you to “exercise a high degree of caution” such as Russia or to “exercise normal security precautions” such as in Panama.
How do you decide or what factors do you use to pick your destination? The fact is risks can come in many forms. Every possible destination carries its own set of risks. It is important to know what risks are present in your preferred destination and activities. Make sure you do your own research about the local conditions – political, social, cultural, etc. – and you prepare for it. It may entail using the most appropriate gear and equipment and contacting local associations of climbers or skiers so you are professionally guided. It is important that you have a comprehensive travel insurance that includes your risky activities.
There are many things you can do to stay safe when globetrotting. Know what those are and commit yourself to a safe travel by doing what it takes come back home unscathed to tell your stories.
