AAA Offers Recommendations for Safe International Travel
27 August 1998
AAA Offers Recommendations for Safe International Travel
ORLANDO, Fla.--Aug. 27, 1998--In the wake of recent threats of reprisals by terrorists for U.S. military actions in the Sudan and Afghanistan, AAA is urging travelers to be extra cautious while visiting abroad or at airports in the United States.
For travel abroad, AAA offers these tips:
o Review your travel, homeowners, automobile and medical insurance
policies to determine coverage for trip cancellation,
interruption, loss, theft, accident or injury while overseas. If
necessary, consider additional coverage.
o Make photocopies of the identification page of your passport,
credit cards and other wallet contents, a list of your travelers
check numbers, and a copy of your itinerary to leave at home with
an individual accessible by telephone. Pack an extra copy with
spare passport photos in case replacements are needed while
traveling.
o Confirm your itinerary a few days prior to initial departure
and before any flights en route.
o Familiarize yourself with the local customs and political
differences to avoid offensive behavior, inappropriate dress or
breaking the law. Avoid slang and humor that could be
misinterpreted.
o Purchase an International Driving Permit which, while not
required for driving in all countries, translates key
identification information into eight languages. IDPs cost
$10 and are available at AAA offices.
o Obtain AAA's Offices to Serve You Abroad booklet. Plan to visit
AAA's reciprocal foreign motor clubs for travel information,
reservations or itinerary changes.
o Keep your distance from stray luggage and packages left
unattended in airports and other public places.
o Invest in a detailed local map and prominently mark your hotel,
office, friendly embassies, police stations and fire departments.
o Use hotel and airport taxis. Avoid those that pick up additional
persons en route.
o Ask a hotel representative which streets and neighborhoods
to avoid.
o Dress conservatively. Avoid standing out as a tourist or touting
your nationality or wealth.
o Don't discuss travel plans openly in public locations.
o Avoid confrontation. Don't engage in conversations on
potentially sensitive subjects.
o Refrain from photographing natives, police, military
installations and personnel, or industrial structures unless
you're sure it will not alarm anyone or break a law.
o If you have any problems or uneasiness at your destination, visit
the American or Canadian embassy to register your itinerary and
hotel address.
In a "worldwide caution" the U.S. Department of State urged Americans traveling or residing abroad to, "review their security practices, to remain alert to the changing situation and to exercise much greater caution than usual."
American Embassy operations have been suspended in Somalia, Sudan, Congo-Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea-Bissau; the United States does not maintain diplomatic or consular posts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya and North Korea and no support services are available to Americans in these countries.
Family members and non-emergency personnel of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania have been authorized to depart. In Albania, Eritrea and Pakistan non-emergency personnel and family members have been ordered to depart. Consular services in these countries have been reduced to minimal levels.
Travelers abroad should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate by telephone or fax for up-to-date information on security conditions. Current information is also available on the internet at http://travel.state.gov. In the United States, call 202/647-5225 for recorded information from the Department of State.
AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 96 clubs with more than 1,100 offices providing nearly 41 million members in the U.S. and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.
AAA news releases can be downloaded from http://www.aaa.com/news
