The Hindu Business Line : Safety first

Nearly one billion people travel internationally each year, according to the World Tourism Organisation. The events of September 11, 2001, have made travellers pay even more attention to their safety, especially when travelling to a foreign country. Marriott's Vice-President of International Security, Alan Orlob, offers these tips to help travellers keep their possessions safe.

Keep billfolds in front and purses under the arm. To avoid pickpockets, men should put their billfolds into their front pockets — not their rear pockets. Women should hold their handbags under their arms. Try to avoid crowds on subways, buses, etc., where people have close body contact.

Avoid late night strolls. Travellers should avoid going out late at night by themselves. If they have to go out, they should look for lighted areas and plan where to go if they feel they are being followed.

Never leave bags unattended. When travelling, people should always keep a close eye on their personal belongings, especially handbags and briefcases. They should be aware that people might try to distract them to gain access to their belongings. When checking into a hotel or standing at the airport check-in counter, they should keep briefcases between their legs and, at airport restaurants, never leave luggage unattended.

Keep an eye on carry-ons. Laptops are a prime target of thieves. People should be especially vigilant of their belongings at airport security checks. If selected for additional security inspections, they should insist on keeping eye contact on their carry-on items.

Use Automatic Teller Machines (ATM). When travelling to major cities, travellers should use ATMs to obtain cash rather than bringing travellers checks or large amounts of cash from home. This minimises the amount of cash one carries and usually provides the best exchange rate. When going out, travellers should only carry the credit cards they will be using. The rest should be stored in the hotel's safe deposit boxes.

Leave jewellery at home. Awareness is the single biggest factor in deterring thieves abroad. Travellers need to be sensitive to the fact that they may be in a culture whose values differ from their own and that they may be targeted for their perceived wealth. Flashy jewellery and other expensive items should be left at home.

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