It’s the winter traveling season. Have you made up your mind where to travel to with your family or friends this year yet? Compared with other regions or countries, Taiwan can definitely be considered one of the most tourist-friendly places. So, undoubtedly, you could start traveling around Taiwan as soon as possible once you get your luggage ready. However, if you are planning on a trip abroad, perhaps doing some extra preparatory work before your travel is better. Let’s first look at a security report released by the International SOS for 2020:
World’s Most Tourist-Friendly Regions/Countries[1]
- Denmark
- Finland
- Greenland
- Iceland
- Luxembourg
- Norway
- Slovenia
- Svalbard
- Switzerland
[1] Note: This is an assessment made by the International SOS, which is the world’s largest traveling security agency. The list is arranged in alphabetical order which does not indicate any score difference.
World’s Most Dangerous Traveling Regions/Countries[2]
- Afghanistan
- Central African Republic
- Gaza Strip, Palestine
- Iraq
- Libya
- Republic of Mali
- The Republic of Congo
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Donetsk, Ukraine
- Yemen
[2] Note: This is an assessment made by the International SOS, which is the world’s largest traveling security agency. The list is arranged in alphabetical order which does not indicate any score difference.
If where you are going happens to be one of the most dangerous and untourist-friendly places in the world, don’t you just sit and panic. Let’s learn some highly recommended ways to confront the challenges ahead!
Tactic 1: Carry with You Some Dark-Colored Shoelaces
One of the scariest things during a trip is having our personal stuffs (e.g. passport, credit cards, and money) stolen. Some people thus hide their items in a hidden fanny pack and carry it wherever they go. Invisible money belts do indeed lower the risk of things being stolen, albeit increasing the uncomfortableness and inconvenience during the travel. One can constantly feel that ticklish feel around his/her waist and must always run into the bathroom to remove the things needed unless he/she wants to be spotted on.
A flying doctor from England, Dr. Ben MacFarlane, offers a way to solve this problem: carry with you some dark-colored shoelaces when you go on a travel, using them to tie together your zippers on the luggage and backpacks (MacFarlane, 2019). This approach helps grab your attention when someone tries to secretively open your bags. Also, by lacing up your zippers, you are putting a big “NO” sign to the unwelcomed thief.
Tactic 2: Tie up Your Suitcases with Shoelaces
When we are out on a journey, the ride from the airport to the tourist site or our hotel is probably what gets us the most anxious. During this voyage, we need to be super focused on our luggage and even the safety of those traveling with us. And if hopping on a fully packed bus or train is our only option at the moment…phew! What a disaster that’ll be!
Experts suggest tying your smaller suitcase to the bigger ones with both facing one another, making it extremely difficult for the burglar to just grab and run (Green, 2016). In addition, you may also consider attaching your luggage to one of the poles on the transport using shoelaces. I am sure you’ll give the robber a brush-off before they get a touch on your treasures.
Tactic 3: Make Extra Copies of Important Documents
Say, you have already done your best in performing the first two tactics and still unfortunately lose your passport, international driving permit, or personal ID card, what should you do? I suggest that you make extra copies of any official documents before you take off, and please do remember to place them in different pockets. This way, even if you lose your passport or driver’s license, you still have a backup. Just head to the nearest embassy and file for a re-issue.
It’s always best to make complete preparations wherever you are heading to. I hope that the three traveling tips shared today would get you covered! Taking off tomorrow? Then go get your luggage tied!
References
- 2020 travel security risk. (2020, January 3). Retrieved from https://www.travelriskmap.com/#/planner/map/security
- Green, J. (2016). Last-Minute Travel Secrets: 121 Indigenous Tips to Endure Cramped Planes, Car Trouble, Awful Hotels and Other Trips from Hell. Chicago, U.S.: Chicago Review Press.
- MacFarlane, B. (2019, October 21). Never sleep naked, don’t chew gum and always put a black shoelace in your hand luggage: A flying doctor reveals his top 10 travel tips. DailyMail. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-7596125/Flying-doctor-Ben-MacFarlane-reveals-10-travel-tips.html