Safe Gap Year

My family’s crazy Gap Year – Channel 4

2010-09-06T01:51:00.013+01:00

I watch many television programmes these days with a strong element of scepticism; travel and nature programmes are often the worst offenders of exaggeration

The emphasis of these programmes always seems to be about a ‘boast’, with the presenters (or increasingly the camera crews and support teams) becoming the focus; they talk again and again about how ‘they are the first’, ‘how dangerous’, ‘how difficult’, ‘how extreme’, ‘how remote’ and any number of other ‘I am cool and brave’ references. I sometimes wonder why the production companies bother sending teams out for the first few weeks to film nature programmes; after all don’t they always find the species they are looking for on the very last day / hour before they leave…

My point is that so many of these programmes are too stage managed; they are unrealistic and what is really going on behind the scenes (support teams etc.) would negate the emphasis of the programme in an age where sensationalism has dampened imagination and wonder.

I have to say I didn’t really expect Channel 4’s ‘My family’s crazy Gap Year’ to be much different, what concerned me was that many of these programmes send out very poor messages about travel safety and responsible travel. They portray a sense of invincibility and promote the impression that you must always go a step further, beyond what is sensible, to gain bragging rights.

For me travelling in order to gain ‘bragging rights’ is travelling for the wrong reason. If you can travel to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Dive on the Barrier Reef, climb the Atlas or Rocky mountains, meet the people of the Pacific, see one of Africa’s ‘big five’ or any of another million incredible experiences which are out there and not be blown away, maybe that type of travel is not for you.

Why would anyone need to exaggerate further the experience or the privilege of a trip down the Amazon with tales of dangerous tribes and the impression that at any second a jaguar could jump out and attack them?

Is the fact that you are on the Amazon river, in the world’s greatest rainforest not amazing enough without having to lie / exaggerate?

…and it is an exaggeration; how many eminent scientists have spent months and years looking for jaguars in the Amazon, never to have actually seen one?

My point is that the Channel 4 show actually turned out to be more restrained than most of this genre. I was expecting to be writing about all the bad advice the show inadvertently given. At the start of the programme, when the family involved decided to take homeopathic remedies rather than pharmaceutical ones to ward off tropical disease, I thought my worst fears were going to be realised.

It might well have been a good idea for the programme to emphasise the other options available at this point and the risks involved with type of choice; rather than to ignore what is a vital part of the planning process.

However by the end of the show I was pleasantly surprised that there were only two points I wanted to bring up in relation to travel safety; with homeopathic remedies being one (and a very unwise choice). Later in the show, comments from the family (when they were in Papua) mentioned that they were worried about their choice in this respect and ‘they hoped that the homeopathic remedies would protect them’. Don’t rely on ‘hope’ when it comes to your health; get the best prophylactic drugs and vaccinations on the market.

The other big incident in the programme was the car accident in northern India and how lucky the family was that no one was more seriously injured.

Travel by car, bus and road traffic generally, remains one of the biggest risks during travel. Travellers have to be confident enough to say something when they feel uncomfortable.

Travelling at any speed on the type of dirt / gravel road they were on at the time of the accident, especially when there is a large drop on one side, is not a place to cross your fingers and hope for the best; you must stand up and be heard. It is your money which is funding the travel, the driver will follow your instructions if you tell him with enough confidence. Often local drivers drive faster than they might normally, because they assume western tourists are always in a hurry and want to arrive as quickly as possible.

If you are not confident enough to tell the driver directly, then make an excuse; tell the driver to slow down so you can enjoy the view, because you are feeling sick or tell him he’ll get a tip if he slows down.

However I can’t write about this programme without sharing my fondness for episode one. Some of this is because two of the highlighted parts of their trip (Mongolia and Papua) are very familiar to me and similar to experiences I have enjoyed myself in those parts of the world; they brought back great memories.

However the great success of this programme was down to the family who were the subject of episode one. I thought they were charming, very British (in all the right ways), with a fantastic balance of humour and a sense of adventure; maybe qualities the experience brought out in them. What they seem to have gained from their travels above all, is a better understanding of the world around them, an appreciation of the magnificence the world offers and memories that even the youngest child will remember for a lifetime; no need to ‘brag’ when you have gained all of that.

It also just goes to prove that Gap Years are no longer the preserve of school and university leavers, but open to all.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

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Source – Channel 4
Date – 6th September 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Hackers con gap year parents

2010-08-23T23:29:00.010+01:00

Identity theft comes in many forms. Traditionally we think of it as people getting your personal details through theft of your passport or driving licence and this information being used to clone your identity in order to take out loans and credit cards in your name or to gain access to your bank account; but with the advent of social networking there is yet more risk…

It does sometimes feel like I write and talk about the drawbacks of social networking more than I praise its uses, but with our information being available to all (let’s face it, if your bank account can be hacked it’s not overly surprising that social networks can be…) there are too many opportunities for those who would use it for criminal purposes.

There are great advantages in social networking when travelling, it means you can keep people updated about your adventures as you go; one message reaches everyone in your network. The internet is now truly worldwide, with only a few corners where access is limited; so you can remain in constant ‘contact’.

But be careful not to rely too heavily on this form of communication alone. When we run courses which look at the effectiveness of different communication styles in the messages we ‘send’, social networking tends to rank just above texting...

Messages on social networks should not replace phone calls, if not for the benefit of the person travelling, then for the benefit of the people they leave behind. A phone call provides reassurance to both that everything is ok; a text message reading ‘All ok :) bungee 2morrow. gr8 ;)’ can have the opposite effect. It is worth remembering that independent travel can sometimes be more stressful for those left behind, than those travelling.

The scam highlighted in this article relies on the lack of communication between people travelling and those left behind.

The news article made much of the implied wealth of the Hogg family, however this would likely have had little or no influence on them being chosen as victims. I imagine had the perpetrators of this ‘scam’ realised they lived on a big country estate, their demands might actually have been much higher.

The sums of money they demanded (£265 for the bribe and $300 for the taxi ride out) is a significant amount in Colombia.

The criminals do not require your bank details or your passport for this one, they just need access to your social networking page and / or email account, both easily available if you use a terminal in an internet café which they have access to.

They will spend some time reading through your posts and emails until they know a little more about you and then contact your parents using your email account with the fake story of you being arrested and a bribe being required for your release (or a similar scenario).

Often they will also warn you not to contact the FCO or local police as ‘this may lead to the local authorities having to officially charge your son or daughter and the bribe no longer being a possible option’.

To most parents a few hundred pounds is a small price to pay for the release of their child and they will without hesitation pay up, through a wire transfer; why would you not?

The criminals will have all the information they need to impersonate the independent traveller, they will go so far as to write in the same style, using the same phrases, which they gauge from previous emails and messages. They will normally include several ‘convincers’, these are pieces of information which the receiver believes only the person they are impersonating would know and so they don’t question the origin / authenticity of the message; these too will be derived from the masses of information which people openly post on the internet through social networking sites. In the case of Gavin Hogg this was a reference to a new tattoo he had recently had on his back.

Like many such scams they play on the fear and emotion of loved-ones who feel utterly helpless when a close relative is ‘stranded’ far away from help.

Identity theft and this type of impersonation are on the increase in travellers. Independent travellers must be prepared for a world where our relative wealth in the UK, makes us targets across the rest of the world.

So what can you do to protect yourself against this scam?

The first thing is prepare effectively for your travel and decide who your ‘Trustee’ is going to be. Provide them with all the information they need to back you up if things go wrong.

Our ‘Trustee system’ involves you deciding on one main point of contact (usually a parent, relative or close friend) who you trust explicitly. During our workshops we provide a list of all the relevant documents and information they will require to assist you if it all goes wrong.

The ‘Trustee’ should be given a code word to use in an emergency; a simple innocuous phrase which would not seem out of place in a message, but which would if included confirm the authenticity of the message and related emergency.

If this phrase isn’t used it can alert the ‘trustee’ to the possibility of a scam or that the threat is not real; moreover if the code is used, it confirms the threat is real and can trigger an appropriate response.

The response should be to contact the FCO in the UK and the British Embassy in the country in question, rather than contacting the police in the country directly. If a warning has been given not to contact the FCO by the criminals, make sure that this information is passed on to the FCO, as it will allow them to act accordingly.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
To view the article on the Safe Gap Year website Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 23rd August 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Newlyweds stranded after fall

2010-08-19T23:36:00.014+01:00

If ever there was a story to reaffirm the point I made in my recent news blog entry (Warning tourists of the dangers of ‘Balconing’) here it is.

Now I’m not suggesting that this incident in Corfu was anything other than an accident, but it does once again demonstrate two things; balconies are dangerous places and more importantly the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme is no substitute for comprehensive Travel Insurance.

The EHIC will only get you the same treatment as local people. In some parts of Europe this treatment will be better than in the UK, but in others it will be less good. The point is most people who suffer illness or accident want to be treated in the UK and want access to the specialist treatment we are all automatically entitled to.

More to the point an accident like the one suffered by Carrie-Anne Dudbridge can result in injuries which require months of hospital treatment and rehabilitation, people need the support of friends and family at these difficult times and for that you need to be at home.

The EHIC will not cover repatriation costs, which if you cannot leave hospital and board an aeroplane in the normal manner can cost upwards of £15,000 even from Europe; and significantly more from other parts of the world. In addition to this travel partners and friends will also need to fund their ‘extended’ stay.

The EHIC is a good additional measure to take when travelling in Europe, but it is the BACK-UP to travel insurance, not the substitute.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
To view the article on the Safe Gap Year website Click Here
Source – The Evening Standard
Date – 19th August 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Warning tourists of the dangers of ‘Balconing’

2010-08-16T01:28:00.021+01:00

I was contacted by Sky News last week and asked to provide comment live on a news feature they were running on the dangers of ‘Balconing’. It’s a new craze which is sweeping through the Balearic islands and has already led to 4 deaths in young people this summer; amongst a total of 15 deaths recorded as ‘accidental falls from balconies’

Unfortunately the feature Sky News were planning was pulled shortly before it was due as there were further developments with the devastating floods in Pakistan. Having prepared and researched the item I thought I would share it with visitors to our website.

This story came to light following the tragic accident involving a young British tourist Ryan Ellery, who fell from a balcony in Ibiza and suffered very serious injuries.

Balconies have long been dangerous places for tourists with many deaths from balcony falls reported every year, the majority of which involve people intoxicated through drink or drugs.

‘Balconing’ is the practice of either jumping from one balcony to another or from a hotel balcony into a pool. Balcony jumping (from one to another) is said to often be done in order to gain access to girl’s rooms; something which adds a whole other set of concerns.

The practice of jumping from a second, third or fourth floor balcony (or in some cases the roof) into a pool presents what most would see as obvious dangers; miscalculating the distance and clipping the concrete edge of a pool, missing the pool entirely or jumping into a pool which is not sufficiently deep (a 10m jump into salt water requires at the very minimum 5m water depth, swimming pools which are fresh water are even less buoyant) and hitting the bottom; not to mention the potential of colliding with other people using the pool.

It is these dangers which have not only led to the fatalities, but to countless (we have seen reports on between 30 and close to 100) injuries, of which some have been very serious indeed; as in the case of Ryan Elley.

‘Balconing’ is an extension of the practise commonly referred to as ‘Tombstoning’ in the UK and which was recently the subject of a renewed warning from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

‘Tombstoning is the practice of jumping from height (usually rocks, cliffs, piers, sea walls, jetties etc) into the sea and has led to many fatalities and injuries as a result of miscalculation, hidden rocks, other obstacles under the water, strong currents, shock from the water temperature and due to the significant changes in the depth of water due to the tide.

In the last 5 years there have been 139 accidents from ‘Tombstoning’ in the UK which required an emergency response by the RNLI and 12 which resulted in fatalities. Many of the accidents involved serious life-changing spinal injuries.

The RNLI are so concerned about this practice they have produced a Short Campaign Film highlighting the dangers; it’s a film anyone thinking about taking part in ‘Balconing’ should think about watching before they take the leap.

Preventing these ‘accidents’ can only be done through understanding the causes and educating those taking part. The first thing is to find out who they are; typically they are young men, but I have seen videos of young girls taking part in ‘Balconing’ and recently a 75 year old man was hospitalised in Dorset after a ‘Tombstoning’ incident…

Let’s not castigate young people in search of ‘adventure’, certainly I would not condone ‘Balconing’ on any level, but peer pressure has led young people to take irresponsible actions for generations. Peer pressure usually means doing something as ‘impressive’ or more ‘impressive’ than those that have gone before. Twenty years ago this was relatively straight forward and only involved a small group of friends ‘competing’, in this ‘YouTube generation’ there is a whole world to compete with; it means those prone to risk taking feel pressure to take even greater risks.

There is also an element of not realising the benefits of the health & safety standards we enjoy in the UK; the RNLI is a great example of this, a voluntary service we should be rightly proud of.

The fact is if I decide to pick a fight with a grizzly bear with my back to the edge of the white cliffs of Dover, on the assumption I somehow survive, I will be rescued and I will receive treatment. This is a great privilege and unique to the UK, in much of the rest of the world it is money or insurance which will get you help and the standard of that help will vary very considerably.

If we can remember this then it should make us take more care to avoid requiring assistance when we are abroad. Climbing onto the railings of a third floor balcony with the intention of throwing yourself off into the pool below, is in this context is a very very bad idea.

This brings me on to the subject of travel insurance, you should never travel anywhere without it. Even the ‘simplest’ medical procedures can carry considerable cost; if you go to A&E in the UK the cost will not cross your mind, but it can cost thousands of pounds to the tax payer and in the rest of the world they will charge you. If you require medical evacuation, the cost can be as high as £10,000 to £30,000 in extreme reported cases costs have been in excess of £100,000.

So travel insurance is vital, however if the reason for your injury is that you were drunk and decided to jump into a pool from the second floor balcony, the chances of your insurance company paying out are somewhere between limited and zero. Drink or dugs alone usually invalidate insurance, as do voluntary acts of recklessness.

I spoke to a senior FCO official on this matter and they are genuinely worried about the ‘craze’ of ‘Balconing’ and the minister responsible is considering releasing a statement on the issue. They re-enforced our concerns about the invalidation of travel insurance through such activities.

Alcohol and drugs play a significant part in these activities, the levels of intoxication turns ‘Balconing’ from irresponsible and dangerous to suicidal. Think about it if you are not fit to drive a car…

The fact is that binge drinking has become a problem in the UK, with people drinking to excess and the nature of the drink being high abv drinks and spirits. Many of those who travel on these types of holiday take that one or two day a week binging habit and spread it throughout the week.

The problem is people are not aware of the number of units they consume but rather count their consumption in the number of drinks they have. Because they are on holiday they often consume even more and the volume of spirits measures in particular can mean that a standard shot of spirits (typically 25ml in the UK) contains twice as much alcohol as they are used to (a standard measure in most continental holiday locations will be 50ml).

The consequence of this is that holidaymakers binge twice as much as usual, without realising it. Because the body can only eliminates about 1 unit an hour, many of those binging in these resorts can find themselves never sobering up and so actually getting drunker and drunker as the week goes on; by the way you can’t sleep off alcohol, the rate of sobering changes little awake or asleep.

Ask around British tourists on the Balearic islands and it will not take you long to find one who has consumed 30+ units the night before. So let’s use this example of a tourist who has consumed 30 units in one night; when they wake up they might still have some 20 units in their system. Even if they don’t drink until the evening, when they sit down for dinner and drink their first glass of sangria they may well still have 10 units in their system… the point is they will often be starting a ‘new’ night from a position of significant intoxication.

This scenario is a problem at the best of times, with a mix of peer pressure, YouTube, a feeling of invincibility, a lack of life experiences which provide a natural risk aversion and potentially other chemical stimulants playing their part, it provides a dangerous ‘cocktail’.

What can you do:

• Tell people of the dangers; show people the RNLI Video
• Talk to those who might take part in such activities with respect; explain to them that if peer pressure means it is more difficult to say no than to jump, surely saying no is actually a braver thing to do…
• Don’t encourage other people (when someone is drunk even shouting at them to stop may just add to the sense of encouragement, silence can be deafening), walk away and get other to walk away; few will jump without an audience; avoid being guilty by association.
• Tell someone at the hotel or the police; you might be saving a life.
• Drink in moderation and take it in turns to stay sober to watch over your friends.
• Be a leader not a follower.

If you’re a thrill seeker or an adrenaline junkie there are hundreds of safer ways to get the shot of adrenaline and the kudos you are looking for.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Sky News
Date – 13th August 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Bus-stop bombing kills one in Bangkok

2010-07-25T00:29:00.027+01:00

I have written a lot about Thailand and Bangkok in particular in this news blog over the last few years. However as such a popular destination, I do not think it does any harm to highlight that although the obvious threat from protestors has temporarily subsided, an underlying threat remains.

Further terrorist activity and a resumption of protest should be expected at any time in Bangkok particularly; as we have seen in the past, this can quickly spread to other parts of the country with the popular backpackers destination of Chiang Mai in the North of the country particularly prone to experiencing these types of activity.

To read more about the current situation in Thailand visit the FCO Advice – Thailand page and our previous news blog entries:

• Backpackers pack their bags and leave Bangkok in droves
• Change travel advice for Thailand
• At least 10 die and 500 injured in Thai riot

The key to safe travel in Thailand is to keep up-to-date with local news while you travel through the country and at the first sign of political protest or unrest, leave the area. Pay particular attention during any local or national elections and if there is any sign of ill-health in the king who holds a much revered place in the hearts of all Thai people.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 25th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Peru declares emergency over cold weather

2010-07-24T00:43:00.010+01:00

Peru has experienced a torrid year, which has negatively impacted on travel to the country and highlights the need for effective preparation for independent travel.

The current extreme cold spell has been devastating for local people up and down the country; 65% of the country has declared a state of emergency, in order to free up much needed emergency funding.

The extreme temperatures in the south of the country which have reached -24C are proportionately just as severe as the lows of 9C which have been experienced in the normally hot and humid Amazon region. The people who live in both these areas will experience similar consequences to these relative temperatures; with people living in the south being used to below zero temperatures, but not -24C and those from the Amazon basin being used to 20C - 30C but not single digits.

Travellers need to prepare effectively for the variance in temperatures which can be experienced across the country normally and these extremes, which in Peru, seem to be more and more frequent occurrences.

Due to its long coastline and reliance on the effect of the offshore currents for its climate, Peru is more susceptible to the effects of global warming than most. The country is still recovering from the devastating floods which closed its most popular tourist attraction earlier this year; Machu Picchu only re-opened in April.

To add to these ‘climate’ problems, Peru is also still suffering after the a devastating 2007 earthquake.

However travel to Peru should not be discounted, the country has too much to offer for that.

Effective planning is the key to safe independent travel and a significant part of this planning should involve understanding the conditions at your destination(s). This will help you to decide the best time of year to travel and the type of equipment you might require.

Your equipment choices need to be versatile, it is simply not possible to take more than one set of equipment, yet travellers to Peru will need to prepare for both extreme heat and extreme cold…. The key is to make sure your equipment is multi-purpose and works well when combined to meet all your requirements.

If you are going to visit southern Peru at this time of year (the southern hemisphere winter), you need to expect and prepare for cold in any year. This year your preparation needs to be even more effective, otherwise you could find yourself with inappropriate equipment in extreme cold.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 24th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Deaths as dengue fever grips Caribbean

2010-07-18T00:49:00.011+01:00

There is no vaccination for Dengue fever; the only option is prevention and treatment.

Fatalities from Dengue are rare in travellers because they are generally fortunate enough to have access to good healthcare if infected,. However it is a very debilitating disease and contracting a serious case of the fever will ruin most trips at the very least and can lead to further complications, especially if left untreated.

People I know who have had Dengue fever tell me it is an incredibly painful and frightening experience, symptoms include pain behind the eyes which can feel like you are going blind, skin rashes and extreme pain in the bones and joints; it can take weeks of hospitalisation to recover. It should also be noted that people who catch Dengue once are at far greater danger if they contract a different strain of the disease at a later date; contracting dengue fever may give you a level of immunity from the strain you caught, but makes you more vulnerable to the other strains which are out there.

So the key is in making sure your bite prevention methods are up to scratch. With no vaccine and no cure these are the only forms of protection. Don’t fall into the common misconception that mosquitoes bite at night and more in rural areas. The Aedes mosquito which carries the virus is active mainly during the day and are actually more common in urban areas.

Areas like the Caribbean where this latest outbreak has occurred are perfect locations for the mosquito and thus outbreaks of the disease, which seems to be on the increase across the world, are not uncommon. Due to the short life-cycles of these mosquitoes, even a short period of ideal conditions can lead to an explosion of the number of carriers.

The solution is bite avoidance day and night; cover up; insect repellent; insecticide; avoiding attractants like scents and scented soaps and even smelly feet & cheese; avoiding stagnant water, even small puddles can be breeding grounds; knowing the symptoms and seeking immediate medical care if any occur.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – The Independent
Date – 18th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

British Behaviour Abroad – Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2009-10 Report

2010-07-16T23:16:00.001+01:00

The report highlights the problems Britons encounter during travel which require assistance from the FCO and their in-country representatives. These include the consequences of;

• 944 Britons being arrested for drug related offences
• 19% of Britons travel without insurance
• Britons spend only an average of 25 minutes researching local laws and customs of the country they are travelling to
• The FCO dealt with a staggering (almost) 2 million consular enquiries.
• Although Spain had the highest number of consular assistance cases with over 14 a day (5283 a year), Thailand had the highest percentage of consular assistance cases per visitor / resident with over 2.6 a day (957 a year).
• Spain had the highest number of arrests (2012) but once again Thailand had the highest percentage of arrests (249 of which 68 were for drug related offences) followed by UAE (265) and USA (1367).
• Of the 3689 Britons hospitalised abroad, Spain has the highest number (3689) with Thailand having the highest percentage (199) with Greece second (471) and Egypt third (235). Many of these cases were due to motorbike accidents and drink related incidents.
• A total of 5930 Britons died abroad with Thailand (292) again the country with the highest percentage of deaths to visitors / residents.
• 27,272 passports were lost or stolen. For once Thailand (827) only comes third on the list of frequency per visitor, with New Zealand (1662) coming top and South Africa (832) coming second.

The complete report can be downloaded from the Foreign Office website (British Behaviour Abroad).

It should be noted that the figures given above are those for cases where consular assistance was sought or where incidents were reported to the FCO; they do not take into account the many people who fail or choose not to do so. We can therefore assume that to one degree or another, the actual numbers may be significantly higher.

It is highly recommended that if you get into any kind of difficulty when travelling you seek consular assistance. Even in cases where you think you don’t actually need their immediate help we would strongly advise people to make contact, as even seemingly innocuous situation can quickly spiral into serious ones.

The British embassy / consulate / high commission in the country you are visiting will be more than happy to offer assistance in whatever form you believe to be necessary (providing it is within their power / remit to do so). This means they will also be more than happy for you just to touch base with them and let them know the situation you are in.

For example if you fall ill and require hospitalisation, you may be very comfortable with the level of medical treatment you are receiving (many countries round the world have health care which easily matches that which we enjoy in the UK) and your insurance may cover your costs. The benefit of contacting the FCO representative in the country you are visiting is that if your condition suddenly deteriorates, they will already have a knowledge of your case, which will allow them to more quickly contact your family or advise you on other local medical opinions you may wish to seek.

The following are some point worth considering in relation to above snapshot of this report:

Drugs – Avoid illegal drugs at all costs and avoid association with others who may be using / dealing illegal drugs. Availability does not indicate legality and it can generally be assumed that those drugs which are illegal in the UK are illegal in all other parts of the world (in places such as the UAE even many drug which are sold under prescription in the UK are illegal). Do not believe those who tell you that drug use is tolerated; they are either kidding themselves as a drug user; kidding you to ‘impress’ you; or involved in marketing (selling) illegal drugs. In many countries the penalties for drug possession can be significant and even association with drug users can land you inside a very unpleasant prison cell.

Alcohol – Alcohol plays a significant part in many injuries, accidents and fatalities in travellers. When travelling we tend to have a more care-free (invincible) attitude then when at home; which considering the risks in most other countries are higher than in the UK, is actually the exact opposite of the approach we should be taking. Alcohol plays a part in many social activities and there is no particular problem with this in itself; however you should take significantly more care and be aware of the relative strengths (sizes of measures) of alcohol and moderate your consumption when abroad. Avoid mixing alcohol with: unfamiliar locations / people; drugs (illegal & prescription); driving / traffic; especially driving scooters / motorbikes; water (being in or on); heights; cultures & countries where it is illegal or not tolerated; ‘extreme sports’ (skiing, diving, riding etc.); confrontation; more alcohol… Be aware that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs is likely to invalidate your insurance.

Driving - Road accidents continue to be a significant cause of injury and death abroad, with insufficient care being taken by many travellers in regard to safety equipment which they would routinely use in the UK; these are often ignored on roads where the risks are significantly higher and where local road rules / conditions may be unfamiliar. Make sure you are insured and use the appropriate protective equipment even if locals don’t; over 1.2 million people die on roads around the world each year with over 70% of fatalities being in resource poor countries.

Travel Health – Ensure you visit your GP or travel clinic at least six to eight weeks prior to departure in order to allow enough time to complete any course of vaccinations they recommend. For malaria areas always use prophylactic drugs prescribed by your doctor and ensure you finish the course (this may be up to 4 weeks after travel, but is the most dangerous time as far as contracting malaria goes). Take bite avoidance measures as viruses like Dengue Fever cannot be vaccinated against and no vaccination is 100% full-proof; it is vital to have a combination of vaccinations and proactive prevention measures to ensure the best possible protection. Take out comprehensive travel insurance and make sure you are covered for the areas you intend to visit, the activities you intend to take part in and that your insurance will pay out if you need to be repatriated; make sure you tell the insurance company of any existing medical conditions as these may invalidate your insurance if not disclosed.

Rape & Sexual Assault – the FCO reports 132 cases of rape and 140 cases of sexual assault of which were notified. The numbers reported will certainly significantly misrepresent the actual number of such cases in travellers. Although drink / food spiking will be used in a significant number of cases of sexual assault, this is certainly not the only methodology and such assaults are often accompanied by violence or the threat of violence. It should also be noted that a significant number of these assaults will be carried out by ‘fellow travellers’ and that the drug most commonly used in ‘drug assisted sexual assault / rape’ is alcohol. Stick with people you trust and be careful who you trust; it is better to be self-reliant than to rely on someone you have only recently met.

Documentation – Copy all vital documents, take two copies with you, keep them separate from the originals (I keep a copy in the lining of my daypack and backpack) and leave a copy with someone you trust at home; so that if everything goes missing you can be faxed / emailed a copy. Never allow your passport to be used as a form of security against hire / rental or to secure your accommodation.

FCO – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office can and will provide very useful advice and guidance both prior to and (through their representatives in-country) during travel. However travellers must be self-sufficient and should not rely on the FCO for material assistance. They cannot intervene or supersede local laws and law-makers; they can’t fund you even in the case of serious emergencies; they can not issue ‘get out of jail free cards’. They will help you and your family and friends help yourselves and offer you vital support and advice to assist you in resolving your predicament.

The report contains very useful information and case studies on individual locations and offers a great insight into the problems other travellers have encountered in the countries featured; Australia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), USA. If you are visiting any of these countries it is worth a few minutes of your time to read the information on the countries you will be visiting, otherwise see the FCO Country Information page of their website, for more information on every country / territory in the world.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here

To view the article on the Safe Gap Year website Click Here

Source – FCO

Date – 16th July 2010

Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Cheryl Cole being treated for malaria in hospital

2010-07-06T21:39:00.000+01:00

Despite taking anti-malaria drugs Cheryl Cole seems to have contracted Malaria following her recent trip to Tanzania.

With proper medical care Malaria is not normally a fatal disease and it is the lack of medical care which means that in excess of 1 million people die from the disease worldwide every year. How quickly Cheryl recovers and what the long term effects are will be depend to a degree on which strain of the disease she has caught.

According to her agent, it does seem that Cheryl Cole / Tweedy (I’m not sure what the latest etiquette is in regard to her name…) was taking prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs; I can only surmise that she followed the correct dosage for the drugs she was on; dosages will vary from drug to drug.

Alongside taking the correct dosage, it is just as important that anyone on a coarse of prophylactic drugs, sees it through to the end; this will often mean taking the drugs for between 1 and 4 weeks after you return from an area of the world where there is a malaria risk. We can only assume that she also did this.

Whatever the reason for Cheryl Cole contracting malaria, it may eventually come down to the simple fact that although prophylactic malaria drugs are very effective and should always be taken when visiting areas of malaria risk, they are not 100% effective.

Malaria may not necessarily be a killer for those of us fortunate enough to have access to the excellent medical facilities such as those we have here in the UK, but it should never be taken lightly. It can be incredibly debilitating disease both in the short term and the long term; I have no doubt we will hear exactly how bad it is from Cheryl herself when she has recovered…

Preventing Malaria is about more than simply visiting a travel clinic or GP and obtaining ‘anti-malaria’ drugs, which should be just the first step of the process, in addition effective bite prevention measures should be employed.

Bite prevention sounds straight forward, slap on some repellent and off you go; but there is more to it than this if you want it to be really effective.

A knowledge of the right mosquito repellent to use; treating your equipment and clothing with insecticide; making yourself unattractive to mosquitoes with the colours and smells you give off; moving your shoes away from your bed (yes mosquitoes are attracted to smelly feet); all reduce the chance of being bitten.

The less often you get bitten, the less often your malaria medication will be tested.

It is not sufficient to just use bite prevention methods, they alone are not full-proof. It is not sufficient just to use prophylactic (anti) malaria drugs, they alone are not full-proof. It is the combination of both which offers the best protection.

Having an understanding of the various bite-prevention techniques adds a layer of protection which GP’s and Travel clinics rarely have the time to explain adequately; during Our Workshops we do.

Even when you have taken the strongest precautions, if on your return from a malaria risk area you experience flu like symptoms or lack energy, as Cheryl Cole / Tweedy did, make it a priority to visit your GP and tell them you have recently returned from a malaria risk area of the world. Malaria can remain dormant in the body for many months, so mention it even if is many months since you returned.

Cheryl’s name will now be added to the estimated 2000 British tourists who return to the UK every year with malaria; fatalities from malaria in the UK average about 9 every year.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 6th July 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Anger as tourist performs striptease on top of Uluru

2010-06-29T21:58:00.021+01:00

I have written before on the subject of whether or not tourists should climb Ayres Rock / Uluru or not; this is going a step too far.

The ignorance and arrogance of some tourist is truly staggering, this French lady has not only stepped over the mark but her subsequent defence just goes to demonstrate the stupidity of some western tourists.

The act of climbing Uluru is already insulting to some Aboriginal people in Australia, who ask tourists not to climb the rock which they consider to be sacred; to then add to this by stripping on the summit seems unbelievably insensitive.

It strikes me that if you have made this kind of fundamental error of judgement the only thing to do is apologise, be humble and keep your mouth shut.

Alizee Sery seems to have decided that rather than accepting she had behaved very badly, she would compound her mistake by trying to excuse it away saying “I am aware that Uluru is sacred. What we need to remember is that, traditionally, the Aboriginal people were living naked”; I feel embarrassed for her as I write this…

When I talk about Cultural Awareness I try and explain things in a way they might better understand them; I often use examples from the point of view of where they were brought up and educated.

Imagine if Alizee were in Paris and visiting the popular tourist attraction of the Notre Dame Cathedral. People are free to view the Cathedral and walk around it, but you are not allowed to behind the altar. How do you think people would react if Alizee walked behind the altar and then stripped to her bikini?

So in our fictitious situation how would she argue her case? Maybe she would say “what we need to remember is that Adam & Eve came into the world naked…”.

The point is no one would see this scenario as acceptable, so why when the scenario at Uluru would equally offend some Aboriginal people, would that be acceptable; the simple answer is, it is not.

The argument surrounding the climbing of Uluru is a different one and has been examined by me in this blog before (Click Here); local people’s feeling should always be considered in these types of situations.

When you travel you are a guest in the country you are visiting and your behaviour should reflect this.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Northern Territories News
Date – 28th June 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Watch Your Drink

2010-06-27T22:56:00.000+01:00

Drink spiking and food spiking can be a real danger during travel with each area of the world having its ‘preferred’ methodology.

In the UK we generally assume that the purpose if ‘drink spiking’ is drug assisted sexual assault or rape, sometimes referred to as ‘date rape’.

In much of the rest of the world the drugging of food and drink is more often used for the purpose of theft.

In India for example the instances of drugged food on trains is on the increase, its primary purpose being for theft. Imagine waking up in very unfamiliar surroundings and every possession is gone; it is at this point that plan Z needs to kick-in. Only through effective planning will you have a plan Z in place, a plan for when things really go wrong.

Cosmopolitan magazine picked up on some of these issues and contacted us for expert opinion. We discussed with them the various ways to avoid drugged food and drink and highlighted the fact that it is just as important to understand that drink spiking is also done using alcohol; rather than controlled drugs, such as GLB, Ketamine, Rohypnol etc.

There is always safety in numbers and one member of your group abstaining from alcohol or a gift of food is one way to look after each other, the other is simply not to accept food & drinks from strangers and remain vigilant.

Make sure you don’t underestimate the size of alcohol measures abroad in comparison to the UK and the effects of other factors such as food, prescription drugs, altitude etc. on the rate of alcohol absorption.

Moderating your behaviour to avoid sending the wrong messages will also reduce the risks; in some countries even innocuous actions such as drinking alone, smoking and dancing can be misinterpreted.

During Our Workshops we discuss the dangers from drink / food spiking and further ways you can protect yourself.

Our expert advice is available to journalist and media outlets; please visit the Press & Media Enquiries page of our website for further details.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here (to follow)
Source – Cosmopolitan
Date – July 2010

Revellers hurt in Thailand tourist speed boat collision

2010-06-27T22:41:00.017+01:00

Sometimes when we are teaching people how to be safe when they travel, it does rather feel that we can use the example of the ‘Full Moon’ party on Koh Pah Ngan as an example for all of the dangers and challenges faced by independent travellers across the world; the ‘full moon party’ has them all.

It is sad to see yet another tragedy unfold and more young people seriously injured when they were relying on the actions of others to keep them safe while they enjoyed all Thailand offers.

What we continually try and reinforce through our website and during our workshops is that you must not rely on others to keep you safe, but be self-reliant.

The ‘Full Moon Party’ need not be avoided at all costs, if it is something which attracts you, then by all means go, but do take extra care; by that I mean really plan ahead for every eventuality because the dangers are significant:

• Theft – Both from the person and from rooms; spend a little more for a descent room in a more secure location and make use of any additional safety facilities available. Don’t turn up thinking you’ll party through and don’t need accommodation, if nothing else have somewhere to securely leave you things; sleeping on the beach may seem a ‘romantic’ notion to you, the Thai authorities view it differently and waking up having been robbed will ruin your trip…

• Drugs – Avoid them and look after your drink, as drink spiking is common. The police patrol the beach and even holding a ‘joint’ can see you locked up with two options; a very heavy ‘fine’ or deportation.

• Sexual Assault – Sexual assaults are not uncommon and often ‘drug-assisted’ either through drink / food spiking or self induced alcohol / drug consumption.

• Medical care – Tropical disease risk is not significant, the island is not generally associated with a high risk of Malaria or many of the other diseases you vaccinate yourself against before travel. Dengue fever can occur and is on the rise in Thailand generally. You should always visit your GP or Travel Clinic before travel. Protection against sexually transmitted diseases should be a consideration.

There are regularly casualties from the party; dehydration, heat exhaustion, alcohol related conditions, accidents, injury from violence and many of the other common travel related syndromes. Make sure your Medical Insurance covers you and that your activities do not invalidate it. There are medical facilities on the island, but more serious cases need to be transferred to Koh Samui; medical facilities on Koh Pha Ngan are often overwhelmed during the Full Moon parties.

• Traffic accident – Is one of the major dangers when travelling but it is reduced in this case because there is little traffic on the island due to its size. Some people still choose to hire scooters and motorbikes (this always seems a little odd when everywhere is within walking distance…) and these present the usual dangers; injuries from accidents usually because of lack of protective clothing / equipment / lack of experience and / or drink driving.

• Transport – This is the danger highlighted in this latest accident. There is only one way of getting to the island and that is by boat, but it is the choice of boat which will dictate your level of risk.

As a general rule I would much rather get on the slow ferry rather than the ‘speed boats’, they strike me as more regulated, more robust and there is an element of safety in the regular schedules which would allow rescue to have a much better idea of where to start looking.

The speedboats are much more haphazard, often waiting till they are ‘full’ before leaving. The drive for profit is often at the expense of safety. There has undoubtedly been an improvement in the regulation surrounding these speedboats in the past 15 years, but how strong the enforcement of these regulation is remains in some doubt.

The trip from Koh Samui to Koh Pha Ngan is not long enough for the additional risk of speedboats to be worth the time saved.

On any boat journey there are factors to consider:

• The seaworthiness of the vessel and reputation of the company
• The capacity – is it overloaded
• The safety equipment – life rafts, life jackets, communication equipment, pre-departure drills etc.
• The weather
• Visibility

In this case some people do seem to have been wearing lifejackets, which is a start. The two points from this report which would worry me most would be the weather conditions which seems to have been far from ideal and travelling at night which is something to be avoided on all but the best equipped vessels (such as those which cross the English Channel).

Maybe more facts will come out from this particular accident in time, although it seems for now that the two boat drivers have disappeared, which would be a worrying sign.

It would be remiss of us to make assumptions in such a case, especially when people have been seriously hurt in an accident; however from personal experience of this region, I have seen boat drivers, showing off, racing each other and using vessels they clearly know are unsuitable or not in perfect working order.

Few would be surprised to hear that corners are cut in an effort to increase profit and to get those tourists who arrive late, across the water and to the party, even in the middle of the night; trust me, the full moon party is not that good that it is worth risking you life for.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 27th June 2010

One Hell of a Hole

2010-06-02T23:03:00.014+01:00

Tropical Storm Agatha has caused havoc across Central America resulting in hundreds of deaths, devastating communities and reminding us of the massive destructive force of nature.

When travelling we have to factor in the climatic conditions, try and avoid those areas susceptible to hurricanes, cyclones and tropical storms (during the season).

These areas do not need to be boycotted completely, but as much as reducing risk, it’s also not much fun unless you happen to be a ‘storm chaser’.

An element of planning to avoid areas during the worst seasons is a start, but planning for the worst case scenario should factor in all travel plans.

When I visited Bikini Atoll (in the Marshall Islands) one of the most remote islands on earth, I felt reasonably safe from the worst weather patterns (despite having been diverted some 10,000 miles on my flight there thanks to a hurricane over Guam).

Bikini is generally considered to be too far north to be affected by tropical storms, although now from personal experience I can tell you this is not the case; even if the one we made it through was the first one anybody could remember.

In our case the eight people who were on the island at the time could not rely on anyone else to help us out and we were acutely aware that the destruction caused could well have isolated us for weeks; not an appealing prospect on an island where most of the natural resources are still too radioactive from the US Atomic Testing programme to be consumed…

The point is (and the appearance of this sinkhole in Guatemala proves it beyond any doubt), we can reduce risk from natural disasters to a point, but we can never eliminate them; some planning should be made to deal with the challenges of weather when they are encountered.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Metro
Date – 2nd June 2010

Backpackers pack their bags and leave Bangkok in droves

2010-05-23T23:13:00.019+01:00

Common sense seems to have prevailed amongst travellers and they have abandoned Bangkok in favour of other parts of Thailand and South East Asia.

This is very bad news for Thailand and the tourist industry which makes up such a large part of the economy in that country, but individual safety concerns have to supersede these concerns for now.

An uneasy calm seems to have descended on Thailand for now, but no one is denying that the problems which led to the recent unrest have not been solved, but rather brushed under the carpet and oppressed by the force of the Thai army.

While these political challenges remain unresolved we can expect to see sporadic protest and it would not surprise many if these occasionally turned violent.

We should also point out that the violence was not restricted to Bangkok but did spread to other parts of the country, most notably the popular northern city of Chiang Mai.

For now the FCO has changed its travel advice (25th May 2010) for Thailand and Bangkok (and Chiang Mai) in particular; it advises ‘against all but essential travel to Bangkok’, rather than the previous advice which was ‘against ALL travel to Bangkok’.

This may not be reassuring, but in effect it reflects that fact that the situation in Bangkok in particular has calmed down, but could easily flare up again at any time and without warning. This advice excludes transit through the airport which is deemed to be ‘safe’.

Travellers should also inform themselves of curfews which are still in place and vary in different areas of the country. If you find yourself in a curfew area, make sure you observe it; local police / army will not discriminate between locals and tourists and police / army in areas under curfew tend to be more on edge than normal; not a great combination in a country where all police carry guns.

For the latest advice from the FCO on Thailand, please Click Here.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Independent on Sunday
Date – 23rd May 2010

Surviving a plane crash

2010-05-16T21:40:00.022+01:00

The recent fatal air crash in Tripoli, Libya was only survived by one 9 year old boy and analysing why he survived will be of some use to professionals in air safety, but to most people it is just a small miracle or extreme good fortune.

Over-analysing how to survive a plane crash doesn’t help greatly in generating confidence in those who may be concerned about flying. What has to be remembered is that flying is still one of the safest forms of transport in the world.

It is still worth taking a few basic precautions:

• Fly with reputable airlines – Any airline flying into, out of or within the EU, USA / Canada, Australia / New Zealand has to undergo the most rigorous safety checks; outside of these areas it may be worth undertaking a little research into the airline you are flying with. As a general rule the ‘poorer’ the country the more in-depth checks you might want to make; especially on internal flights where regulation may not be as rigorous.

• Always listen to the safety briefing – If nothing else it is polite to do so, but more importantly the more you listen the more you will take in and the more likely your instinctive reaction will be the right one. In the case of a real accident you will have to rely mainly on your instincts, it is unlikely you we be able to draw on your rational thought process, which is unlikely to be working properly.

• Practice the ‘brace position’ and your seatbelt release – Studies have proven that in the case of a crash one of the problems people have is getting out of their seats. It sounds silly to think you will not be able to unbuckle yourself, but when under the most extreme pressure the brain does not work very rationally and instinct will take over; your instinct will be to get up and get out. The rational part of your brain may not work sufficiently under such extreme stress to understand that you must undo your seatbelt to achieve this.

• Sit near an emergency exit – It should not take a rocket scientist to work out that the closer you are to an exit the quicker you will be able to get out in an emergency. Wherever you are seated count the number of seats between yourself and the nearest exit in front and behind you; that way in the case of an emergency and the lights failing or smoke filling the cabin you can feel your way to the nearest exit.

• Don’t panic – Easier said than done. However it is worth trying to control your mind, adrenaline will be pumping through your body and you can do little to stop this (in reality you don’t want to stop this as it will help in your attempt to ‘escape’), what you want to do is control and channel the consequences of adrenaline and use them to your advantage. Respond rather than react to the challenges you face.

This is all very well to write, it is completely different to put into practice in case of a real emergency.

Don’t panic about flying, it is likely to be one of the safest parts of any travel experience; you are likely to be at much greater risk on arrival when driving from the airport to your final destination.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Date – 16th May 2010
Submitted by – Peter Mayhew

Change travel advice for Thailand

2010-04-22T22:33:00.024+01:00

The FCO has changed it Travel Advice for Thailand. Their advice now reads as follows:

“We advise against all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok, in light of ongoing political demonstrations. This advice does not apply to passengers transiting Bangkok airport on their way to other destinations in Thailand or internationally.

Today the Foreign Office amended its travel advice for Thailand to advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok.

This advice reflects our concern for the safety of British nationals planning to travel to Bangkok, given the risk that violence could break out without warning during the increasingly volatile political crisis.

The situation is changing on a daily basis, and we recommend that British nationals living in Thailand or travelling to the country check our travel advice regularly for details of further developments.

If you are in Thailand and are planning onward travel, please note that Suvarnabhumi airport is operating as normal. The route to the airport from Bangkok city remains open.

British Nationals should exercise extreme caution throughout the country, and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, some of which have recently turned violent. If violence breaks out again British nationals are advised to remain indoors and to monitor the media and this website.

British nationals requiring consular assistance should call 02 305 8333 (in Thailand). British nationals are encouraged to register with our LOCATE service.

For further information, see our travel advice for Thailand.”

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – FCO
Date – 22nd April 2010

At least 10 die and 500 injured in Thai riots

2010-04-11T22:05:00.014+01:00

Trouble in Bangkok… it is not the first time I have written those lines…

As predicted another wave of protests have been taking place in Bangkok and sadly they have once again turned violent.

There is little point in going over the reasons again, as I have covered this in previous blog articles and the fundamentals of the arguments have not changed significantly; this time it is the ‘Red Shirts’ doing the protesting.

It has to be said that the end does not seem to be in sight for Thai protests and if the ‘Red Shirts’ get their way, it will probably just lead to the ‘Yellow Shirts’ taking to the streets as they have done in the past.

What this means for the traveller is two-fold.

Firstly it should go without saying that those areas where the protests are taking place should be out of bounds to travellers. I say it should ‘go without saying’ but watching television reports earlier today it was clear that some of the people milling round the scene of the previous nights violence were tourists with cameras flashing… These places are not tourist attractions; they are dangerous parts of the city where violence can flare up at any time and where live bullets were used against protesters. More-over these are places where the previous night people died.

Take heed of the FCO advice which recommends against travel to certain parts of Thailand and do not forget that when the FCO recommends against travel it usually means your travel insurance becomes invalid in those locations.

The second point to note is that the chance of these protests spreading is significant. Previous protests have spread to other parts of the country and more significantly for travellers, the tactics used previously have included shutting down the International Airports by protestors ‘occupying’ them. This led to major disruption last time round, with many hotels filling up and this hub of air travel for South East Asia closing down completely.

Thailand is still open for business and there is at this time no need to cancel trips if you avoid those areas which need to be avoided. However if you plan to travel to or through Thailand make sure you are aware of the latest situation and once in-country stay in touch with developments so you can change your plans if it becomes necessary.

The FCO also suggest you register with the British embassy in Thailand on arrival.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Independent
Date – 11th April 2010

Chunders is You Tube hit on his ‘gap yah’

2010-03-25T22:09:00.021Z

We’ve all heard them and most people who have taken a Gap Year will have been a ‘travel bore’, it can be hard not to be.

I regularly hear myself start a sentence with ‘when I was in…’, these days I check myself and look closely at the body language of the person I am talking to before I continue.

Many people prepare for Culture Shock when they travel, few prepare for ‘Reverse Culture Shock’; the effect of coming home.

Especially when travelling for an extended period of time it is vital to make sure you think about what happens when you return; it makes the difference between the ‘holiday blues’ disrupting your life for a couple of weeks and reverse culture shock affecting you with months of lethargy. Will you be able to afford being unproductive for months on end after you get back?

A big part of avoiding reverse culture shock is understanding that the amazing experiences you will have can never really be shared with those who were not there (in the same way that no photograph can ever replicate the amazing sights you encounter). Stay in touch with the people you had these experiences with and when the ‘blues’ kick-in contact them.

Don’t blame your friends from home for their lack of interest in your stories, you might be just as uninterested in their tales from the commute they make on the tube every morning…

‘Orlando’ may have proved a big hit on YouTube (Click Here) and I remember seeing a similar sketch at a Burma Campaign comedy show (Click Here), but take the subtle warning; don’t be a ‘gap year bore’ or a ‘gap year boaster’, share your stories with people who want to listen.

The other effective way I find of dealing with reverse culture shock is to start planning your next trip…

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Metro
Date – 25th March 2010

Mongolia’s worst winter on record

2010-03-15T22:08:00.022Z

Mongolia is a truly stunning country, its beauty lies in the vast open expanses, incredible culture, the friendly and generous people you meet and the feeling of being in one of the last true remote areas of the world.

The hardiness of the people who live there is a reflection of the incredibly harsh conditions. If evidence were needed of exactly how ‘easy’ our life in the UK is by comparison, during our harsh winter this year all most of us had to deal with was a few days off work and a little inconvenience in not being able to use our cars as we usually do for a week or two.

How would we survive a whole winter at -40°C?

How can you be self-sufficient when permafrost means that growing anything to sustain yourself is near to impossible for a large part of the year?

Can you really survive these conditions year after year when you live in a Ger (traditional felt tent)?

The fact is the Mongolian people are amazingly resilient, over a third of the population maintain the traditional nomadic lifestyle, but sadly as in many cultures the traditional way of life and the modern world with its integrated economy are not always compatible; this is very much the case in Mongolia today.

There are positive signs in Mongolia, but it is a young democracy surrounded by two of the world’s superpowers and abandoned by its former benefactor. It is starting to realise the potential mineral wealth which lies just below the surface and which China would gladly gobble up, but these projects take years to create wealth and require huge capital injections (which themselves often come at a cost of handing over large stakes to nation builders like China & Russia). Relatively small countries like Mongolia who are trying to help themselves but who have arrived late to the world economy, are always going to struggle.

All this matters little to the over 1 million nomads in Mongolia, their way of life is little affected by the world at large, but with an ever bludgeoning urban population crammed into two or three major cities divided by vast areas of steppe / desert and with little infrastructure, the lack of reliable services and the all but non-existent welfare state, creates predictable problems.

What does affect everyone be they nomadic herder or urban resident is the kind of winter they are slowly emerging from. The vast majority of Mongolians rely on their herds to sustain them and in most of the country yaks are the economy.

60% of all livestock in Mongolia has been lost this winter; while we rightly worry about recession at home, Mongolia has effectively lost 60% of their economy, an economy which is as real as the individual yaks and sheep that each family has lost.

It is difficult to quantify such a fundamental loss, but imagine if fire destroyed 60% of every business, 60% of every item of stock on the shelves of every store disappeared, for every ten loaves of bread on the supermarket shelf only four were available; the UK would go into total meltdown.

In Mongolia the end is not in sight, they can’t just restock, the summer months are short and the harsh conditions mean their cattle and sheep have short reproductive cycles and produce less offspring over their lifetimes. Hardy the yak may be, but evolution has developed this hardiness of this creature by reducing the yield to increase survival rates.

Think about this, if you rely on your livestock for food, in order to be self-sufficient you have to slaughter some and keep some for reproduction. If over one winter your herd is reduced by 60%, you need to increase reproduction in order to make up the numbers, but the number you have to slaughter to feed your family and prepare for another winter stays the same; there comes a point when this is no longer sustainable, something has to give.

There is the real possibility that come the spring this disaster will be perceived to be levelling off as the thaw kicks in, whereas in reality it is the long term effect which has the potential to be devastating.

The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation carry out amazing work in Mongolia and we are always delighted to recommend them to you. A little still goes a very long way in Mongolia and it never ceases to amaze me what good they can do with the little funding they get.

Please visit their website at http://www.cncf.org/ to discover more about the work they do and the volunteering opportunities they can offer.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – CNCF
Date – March 2010

Forget the degree go for the Gap Year / Most degrees ‘only good for coffee shops’

2010-03-10T23:36:00.037Z

There is certainly an argument surrounding the number of people attending University, the courses they are undertaking, the value of the respective degrees they obtain and the cost of the process.

My personal point of view is that encouraging half the population to go to University is a bit of a one dimensional education policy; University education is just not a system which suits everyone.

However I am also of opinion is that the degree is only part of what students gain from the University experience and we should not underestimate the benefits gained by young people in simply attending these institutions.

I do have some concerns about the concept that having too many over-qualified people in the country is somehow a bad thing. Education is a privilege we take for granted in the UK and one which breeds more than just candidates to apply for the ‘top jobs’ with the ‘top companies’.

Small businesses spring up everyday fronted by entrepreneurs who have enjoyed the benefit of a University education and experience; besides why should the person working in Starbucks not enjoy the advantages which University education provides?

The arguments for and against 50% of the population attending University are varied and complex and are usually misrepresented, as few people have a 360 degree view of (or interest in) the pros and cons.

Our interest in this article is in the highlighted value of the Gap Year and the acknowledgement that despite the argument on whether University should be attended or not, a Gap Year benefits everyone.

As much as I will argue the case for Universities being more than lectures, seminars and exams and the experience of attending University being an important part in the development of those attending; there can be no doubt that taking a ‘constructive’ Gap Year adds an altogether different set of skills and knowledge. Skills gained on a gap year are highly valued by employers in many sectors; including most blue-chip companies.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Evening Standard
Date – 10th March 2010

Life raft girl: We sang to keep spirits up

2010-02-23T01:52:00.009Z

We always tell participants on our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness workshops that travel presents challenges; very few people go on a Gap Year or a 3 month trip without having to face one or two along the way.

The important thing is to avoid as many as possible through effective planning. Of equal importance is how you deal with and overcome those challenges which will inevitably be encountered along the way.

What impresses me about this story is how incredibly frightening this experience must have been for all involved and yet how they faced the ultimate adversity and supported each other to get through it.

Traumatic situations like this one tend to have one of two consequences; either it knocks the confidence to such a degree that people choose to avoid any further experiences which could have similar negative outcomes or it makes people stronger. Those who manage to use the experience in a positive manner in their lives also gain a conversation piece they can trade on over dinner for years to come…

The old adage ‘when you fall of the horse, you have to get straight back on’ applies. By planning a backpacking trip Sarah Calascione has demonstrated amazing resilience and I have no doubt that it will only add to her character.

Even in the worst possible situations a positive attitude to the challenges faced goes a long way. Adrift in a life raft in the middle of the Atlantic ocean (an ocean which has already claimed your main vessel), would terrify even the most hardened adventurer. This is a situation which is so unexpected it is almost impossible to plan for, but the attitude adopted to the challenge is important and it is clear that by singing to provide comfort to each other, those caught up in this nightmare scenario helped significantly reduce the impact of the incident.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Evening Standard
Date – 23rd February 2010

Passengers banned from the roof of ‘super crush’ trains

2010-02-18T00:23:00.002Z

Travel in India is synonymous with its railway network and the romantic imagery of trains trundling along with passengers perched on the roof either to avoid the crowded carriages or in order to benefit from the ‘air-conditioning’ is one familiar to many.

But times change and the romance is not quite so pronounced in India’s burgeoning cities, where the railway journies can make the ‘London commute’ seem like a treat.

Travel in India is dangerous and poses a serious risk to travellers. With an estimated 250 fatalities on India’s roads every day, the figure of 17 fatalities on the railways each day actually seems quite small by comparison.

But as always we need to put some perspective on these figures. India is a very large and densely populated country, the Indian state railway network is vast and is the second largest employer in the world (only surpassed by the Chinese ‘Red’ Army); the number of fatalities on the road is exasperated by the standard of the vehicles and lack of safety features which we take for granted in the UK (including the failure to wear seatbelts).

So although there are inherent dangers in the transport network there are ways to reduce this risk and it should not put people off visiting India, but rather alter their behaviour in-country.

On the rail network it should be acknowledged that climbing onto the roof is inherently dangerous; even to locals who may be familiar with the process, several fall off every day some of which end in fatalities. The clumsy traveller (sorry but let’s be honest, travellers are never as agile or surefooted as locals; that’s just the way it is…) increases these risks considerably.

My personal point of view; I love train travel, I think it is one of the most satisfying forms of travel when distance is involved, especially on ‘slow’ trains. It allows you to view the country you are in and the change in the scenery as you go from one area to another, to watch the people going about their daily business from the heart of the city through to those tending their fields out in the country.

One of the most rewarding aspects of train travel though is that it is the form of travel taken by locals. This allows the traveller to immerse themselves in the real life of the country they are visiting and meet real local people, many of whom will be only too pleased to share conversation with you during your journey.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – Times
Date – 18th February 2010

Restaurant bombing kills eight in tourist zone

2010-02-14T01:24:00.010Z

Terrorism strikes again and it is another serious blow for India and it’s tourist industry, but it should not lead us to take India off the list of countries we visit just yet.

Undoubtedly the risk from terrorism is something we must take seriously when planning independent travel and we should implement strategies to reduce the risk from terrorism.

However it should also be noted that the threat from terrorism in the UK is itself not insignificant and it is the very randomness of strikes that makes it very difficult to eliminate the threat completely, in any part of the world.

If you visit the FCO’s travel advice by country website, you’ll find that without fail even the ‘safest’ countries carry a veiled warning that terrorism can strike anywhere and at any time. Undoubtedly there are countries / regions of higher risk and there are a number of places worth avoiding for now.

Your behaviour in-country can certainly help to reduce the risks, not announcing your nationality with flags on your pack or union jack t-shirts is a start, in countries like India ‘western’ targets have been favoured for the international impact they generate.

Many journalists going to high risk countries have taken to finding small local guest houses to stay in rather than staying in heavily fortified international hotels which present a ‘challenge’ to terrorists and where if they succeed they send a very strong message about their potential ‘reach’; a local guest house being destroyed does not generate the same press coverage, which is ultimately the aim of most ‘modern terrorists’.

Planning to avoid areas of terrorist activity should certainly be at the heart of destination choices for the independent traveller, but often it is a region which is best avoided rather than an entire country; this is certainly the case for India.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 14th February 2010

Mosquitoes are old sweats at detection

2010-02-04T00:23:00.002Z

Mosquitoes bites are more than just an irritation when travelling, they carry everything from malaria to dengue and from yellow fever to Japanese encephalitis; well worth avoiding.

Protection against these diseases involves a combination of prophylactic drugs, vaccinations and bite avoidance. All of these measures must be taken together, as alone they are not 100% effective.

Bite avoidance is a very important part of this prevention strategy, as not getting bitten in the first place means you don’t have to rely on the pharmaceutical barriers to do their job.

During our workshop we provide a list of methods for avoiding bites, they add up to provide a high level of protection, each layer adding to the protection provided.

If mosquitoes are proven to be attracted to sweat, then taking an extra shower may be another way of reducing the risk; be careful though, mosquitoes are also attracted to the scents in some shampoos and deodorants, so you may be replacing one attractant with another…

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Source – Evening Standard
Date – 4th February 2010

A prickly moment

2010-02-03T01:08:00.005Z

To view the original article Click Here

Title – A prickly moment
Source – Metro
Date – 3rd February 2010

Sometimes I see images which I think are worth sharing.

Travel opens us up to the most amazing places the world has to offer and allows us to experience ‘you had to be there’ moments; these can sometimes be shared by photographs.

Biting off more than you can chew is a good analogy for a lot of what we teach on day 1 of our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop. Our aim is to teach participants how to avoid confrontation and put proactive measures into place resolve conflict when it is encountered.

As this young leopard found out, those we encounter on our travels may pose a threat we are not familiar with and unknown threats are better avoided than confronted.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Over 1000 Britons are jailed over drugs abroad

2010-02-03T00:05:00.002Z

Title – Over 1000 Britons are jailed over drugs abroad – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 3rd February 2010

Title – British smuggler is told of his death sentence in final visit by his cousin – The Times
Date – 29th December 2010

It comes as no surprise that a high percentage of Britons locked up in foreign prisons are there for crimes relating to illegal drugs and I would suggest the number ‘passing through’ these facilities each year is even higher.

It is not just getting involved in drug dealing which lands people ‘inside’ many are imprisoned for drug use and drug possession and even for being associated with people using drugs.

It amazes us how misunderstood the situation relating to drug use is by some travellers. I have sat in hostels across the world and overheard conversations about how ‘authorities turn a blind-eye’ or how ‘drugs are effectively decriminalised’; this is simply not the case.

The ‘hippie’ destinations of the late 70’s are now destinations of mass tourism, with mass tourism comes money and with money comes the need to protect the investments which have been made. Tourism is the life blood of many countries and they realise that they have to protect their reputations and their local communities from the ravages of the drugs trade.

There are plenty of countries where the death penalty stands for drug dealing and where the judicial system is not what we might believe to be entirely free and fair. There are also many places where the police and the authorities have realised there is an additional ‘income’ to be made from enforcing drug laws to the letter and beyond.

Our message is simple, don’t fall for the ‘marketing strategies’ of the drug dealers who will tell you it is ‘safe’ and de-criminalised, they do not have your welfare at heart and when the police come knocking at your door, they will be long gone.

Travelling is a privilege and provides enough natural highs not to require chemical ones.

Avoid illegal drugs when you are travelling, steer clear of ‘friends’ who get themselves involved in drugs and walk away from anyone who talks about drug use during travel as ‘part of the experience’; it isn’t.

Drugs are illegal in every country in the world, the only difference is sentences are generally much more severe and foreign prisons are often more dangerous than the streets outside them; don’t become a statistic.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.com.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Tales of the hostage negotiators

2010-01-21T00:06:00.002Z

The good news (if there is such a thing as good news when talking about kidnapping) is that the type of kidnapping discussed in this article concentrates on ‘high value’ targets.

‘High value targets’ are generally people travelling for business and linked to a company likely to pay a ransom or have an insurance policy which will pay out.

Kidnap for ‘demanded ransom’ of independent travellers is still relatively rare and avoiding the very high risk areas where kidnap for political reasons is carried out, reduces the risk considerably.

However there has been a significant increase of ‘express kidnapping’, especially in South America. The methodology here is to get the traveller to pay a ‘ransom’ themselves through theft of possessions and by emptying bank accounts and ‘maxing out’ credit cards.

Generally ‘express kidnapping’ targets couples, it allows the kidnappers to use the threat of harm against one member of the group to force the other(s) to concur with demands.

The advice we give to avoid express kidnapping involves understanding the way these groups operate. If you are unfortunate enough to become a victim then co-operation is your only option; don’t provide the kidnappers with an excuse to prove how serious they are about their threats.

Victims of express kidnapping are generally ‘chosen’ rather than an unlucky casualty of opportunists. Like much of our advice geared at avoiding crime, blending-in, being alert, not displaying signs of wealth and not disclosing your plans in detail to strangers, are all steps which reduce the risk.

We also like to idea mentioned in this article that taking the 2nd taxi in line avoids you getting in a vehicle which is targeting you directly; if this embarrasses you, then just wait a few minutes until someone else comes along and takes the first taxi in line or let the person behind you jump the queue.

Statistics can scare, but some are reassuring. Over 95% of kidnap victims are released and the figure is higher where the motivation is financial gain rather than political. So although kidnap is a traumatic and expensive experience, ‘getting home safe’ which is the ultimate goal, is normally achieved.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – FT
Date – 21st January 2010

Dubai – Woman who reported rape is charged with ‘illegal sex’

2010-01-11T22:48:00.000Z

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Dubai – Woman who reported rape is charged with ‘illegal sex’
Source – The Times
Date – 11th January 2010

This incident shows the thinly veiled façade in which effective marketing has painted Dubai and UAE as ‘westernised’ destinations.

The very high profile nature of the expensive marketing campaigns used to attract tourists and expats alike seem to indicate that a paradise awaits; little or no mention is made of local laws and most people are unaware of them when they step off the plane in Dubai.

So are these campaigns a lie?

Not really, they show the country as it is on the face of it. They accurately represent the gleaming towers, the luxurious almost decadent nature of the facilities available, the modern infrastructure, the warm welcome given to the tourist dollar and foreign investment, the beautiful beaches and turquoise sea; all are there waiting for visitors.

The problem is more with the visitors themselves, taking marketing at face value and looking no further than that. Even those who do understand some of the laws of the country routinely dismiss them.

Ask an expat in Dubai or someone who has visited about the laws surrounding alcohol consumption, ‘nudity’, relationships outside of marriage and few will know exactly how strict the emirates are on these subjects; but almost without exception those who do will then use the phrases ‘they turn a blind eye to expats and foreigners’ or ‘it’s legal in foreign hotels’ or some other such line.

So is this true, do they turn a blind eye to foreigners?

There is undoubtedly a certain amount of acceptance that these activities happen in foreign hotels and in foreign compounds, but that does not make them legal. Even in hotels and bars where alcohol is licensed and can be consumed, it does not change the fact that as soon as you step out of the door to go home you are once again breaking the very strict laws of being ‘intoxicated outside of a licensed premises’.

The fact is not much has really changed in these countries since the influx of debt and expats built these cities on the sand. Whatever we think of the laws and rules in comparison to the laws we have in the UK, these are the laws of the country and must be obeyed when you are in-country, otherwise you should stay at home.

This disturbing case demonstrates exactly how far Dubai will go to protect its image and again shows that expats are subject to the laws of the country. This is an image which will no doubt be even more strictly guarded following the recent humiliation of the financial crisis and the subsequent bail-out which amongst other things forced a change of name upon the world’s new tallest building, the impressive Burj Dubai; it had to be renamed the Burj Khalifa in honour of Dubai’s benefactor.

This story about an attack on a foreigner does not fit into Dubai’s multi-million dollar marketing plan; this attack is not symptomatic of Dubai, in general it is a very safe country to visit. However as this case shows the authorities are never shy to use their laws to the full extent against foreigners, in this case clearly to detract from the original crime, no doubt in the hope the case will be dropped and disappear from the ‘media’s radar’.

In the same edition of this paper were two other Dubai stories, one featured prominently the base jump from the top of the Burj Khalifa; the other the acquittal of a member of the ruling family accused of torture. The acquittal suggested he had been ‘drugged and therefore had no idea what he was doing…’; the video of the alleged incident is I warn you very disturbing.

The point is not to have a go at Dubai, they are only acting the way they have acted for hundreds of years, their laws are different, their way of life is different and it’s not for me to say (in the context of travel safety) if it is right or wrong.

The point is, when we travel, like it or not, we must respect our hosts, their laws and their way of life. When you plan for safe travel don’t just accept the marketing campaigns and pretty pictures, understand the culture and look past the gloss. Always show respect for your hosts and don’t assume you can behave as you behave in the UK; in many countries some of the behaviour we ‘accept’ and ‘tolerate’ here is considered very disrespectful and even illegal.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.com.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

You’ve no head for mixing drinks and skiing, Britons told

2009-12-10T23:07:00.004Z

People who travel to the mountains in the winter generally do so for two reasons ski (yes I know… and snowboard) and après-ski. Inevitably the après-ski involves a degree of alcohol consumption, it is the level of this consumption which can lead to problems and the fact that increasingly British travellers are not observing the ‘après’ part of the concept but rather partaking in ‘pendant-ski’ (or during ski).

I’m not preaching about alcohol consumption, that is not our role; however we do feel that it is important to point out facts and to let people make sensible choices based on these facts.

At altitude alcohol does have more a pronounced affect and as a rule the measures alcohol is served abroad are significantly bigger than in the UK; a dangerous combination.

It is a myth that a shot of brandy is a good cure for cold or hypothermia, it may lessen the symptoms and therefore reassure the victim, but it can actually exasperate the causes; drawing warmth away from vital organs, where the body’s natural defences concentrate core body temperature. The picture of a Saint Bernard with a barrel of brandy round the neck comes from a tourist brochure…

With this in mind, people who are drunk not only don’t realise how cold they are getting, but their body will not react in the usual way to the cold and protect itself; this make drunk people much more susceptible to hypothermia.

Sadly every year too many people find out the hard way that, whereas in the UK falling asleep in a doorway on your way home is an embarrassing incident or at worst results in a night at the pleasure of her majesty, at altitude in winter the consequences can be much more severe.

Remember that being intoxicated can invalidate your insurance and an accident on the slopes for someone who is uninsured and requires repatriation to the UK, can cost in excess of £15,000.

Our advice; think about the first glass of wine with your lunch, reflect more carefully about your second and after your third take the chairlift down. Look after each other; don’t let people walk home alone at night; keep your mobile phone charged; carry a small torch and whistle to signal for help; tell people where you are going; and send a quick text message to tell someone you have got home safely.

Taking a little extra care does not have to be boring, look around and see how many French people get drunk on the slopes or for that matter in public. By all means enjoy a drink but don’t ruin it by getting drunk; after all the adrenaline rush should be saved for the slopes.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here

Source – Times

Date – 10th December 2009

FCO releases 2008-09 incident figures

2009-12-10T21:34:00.004Z

To view the original article Click Here

Title – FCO releases 2008-09 incident figures
Source – FCO
Date – 25th August 2009

These statistics must be taken in the context that they are purely those incidents which the FCO have been made aware of (needless to say ‘incidents’ for which British citizens must contact the embassy such as loss of passport are accurate and representative) and do not include those ‘incidents’ which are not reported and we must assume are significantly higher.

What we can assume however is that as a percentage these figures are representative and as such the most ‘dangerous’ countries highlighted are accurate.

The number of ‘assists’ that FCO staff deal with is staggering and certainly reflects the excellent work and the significant workload that the FCO puts in to protecting British citizens and assisting them when they are abroad. 2.1 million consular enquiries in a year is a significant number.

Travellers must however remember that the British embassy staff are limited in the assistance they can offer and being a UK citizen is not a ‘get out of jail free card’. You are always subject to the laws of the country you are visiting and must have enough funds to support yourself, pay any expenses you incur and get home.

The FCO is through initiatives such as the ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign, trying to get travellers to plan more effectively and prepare better for foreign travel to reduce the number getting into difficulty.

Effective preparation is important for any type of travel, however it is fair to say that people taking a short holiday to Spain who encounter an ‘incident’ (5430 excluding lost/stolen passports sought consular assistance in Spain in the year ending March 2009) should find it easier to deal with than those travelling to Mongolia where any form of assistance is limited. The traveller to Mongolia must take as much care as possible to be self sufficient and avoid any ‘incident’ from taking place; the complication of visiting such a remote country can make even normally innocuous ‘incidents’ very serious.

Preparing for a 2 week trip to Greece is relatively straight forward and advice from the FCO ‘Know Before You Go’ campaign should be sufficient. Those planning travel to more remote, developing countries over an extended period should seek more specific and detailed advice such as our Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop.

I have picked some of the more ‘interesting’ statistics from this report (the full report is available on the link at the top of this page). The report reflects the year ending March 2009:

· Britons were most likely to be arrested in UAE (294), followed by Thailand (202) and the USA (1534).
· One in seven of all arrests of Britons worldwide were for drug related offences. 991 people were arrested for drug offences.
· 19 British nationals are currently facing capital charges (those which carry the death penalty) worldwide.
· Britons were most likely to be hospitalised in Thailand followed by Greece, Egypt and India. Many of these hospitalisations were the result of alcohol related incidents and moped/motorbike accidents.
· 29,774 passports were lost or stolen worldwide. 3228 in USA, 2446 in Australia, 826 in China, 871 in South Africa
· 270 rapes & sexual Assaults were reported worldwide

If we consider those unreported incidents, these numbers are very significant. These situations are made much worse when you are stuck a very long way away from home, family, friends and support. What may be ‘relatively’ insignificant at home is magnified many times when you are stuck in a country where everything is very different, standards vary and often language barriers mean that you will not understand what is happening.

We help independent travellers understand and prepare for every instance to reduce the number and seriousness of ‘incidents’ which happen and to know what to do if they do.

Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) is a travel partner of the FCO Know Before You Go Campaign.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Independent Travel Safety & Cultural Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Wounded elephant kills 11 – including a worshipper

2009-12-10T00:50:00.012Z

Wild animals pose a serious threat to humans and the situation gets worse every year as man encroaches slowly on the last remaining natural habitats available to them.

Elephants alone kill over 200 people around the world every year, generally when on drunken rampages after eating fruit which has dropped from trees and fermented.

While it is certainly worth being aware of the dangerous animals living in the environments you may be visiting during travel, this should in no way put you off travel or cause you great concern while you are travelling.

Following local guidance and understanding the danger each animal poses and therefore how to protect yourself from them, will significantly reduce any risk you face.

Wild animals pose little danger to travellers who take care; on the rare occasion that travellers do come to harm, it is generally because they have been reckless.

By way of example snakes which scare many people, kill very few people in Australia (despite it having many of the world’s deadliest species); yet snakes in South East Asia kill thousands every year. The difference is millions of people in Asia work in paddy fields, barefoot and a favourite habitat of snakes. So the reason people in Australia don’t suffer as badly (apart from the availability of anti-venom) is simple; shoes.

At Safe Gap Year our Independent Travel Safety and Cultural Awareness Workshop considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Cultural Awareness, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.co.uk/.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

To view the original article Click Here
Source – The Times
Date – 10th December 2009

Crocodile bagged by hungry hippos

2009-11-17T21:17:00.006Z

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Crocodile bagged by hungry hippos
Source – The Times
Date – 17th November 2009

If ever proof were needed that Hippos along with other animals pose a danger to humans and travellers who are unfamiliar with these dangers, than this is it.

Ok I know that even the most foolhardy and unprepared traveller is not going to try running the gauntlet over the backs of a group of Hippos, but this does not take away from the fact that Hippos remain the most dangerous animal in Africa.

Taking a few simple steps can offer significant protection from these 2 - 3 tonne mammals. During our workshop we examine the various natural dangers faced by travellers who may be unfamiliar with their new surroundings, dispel the myths and reinforce the facts.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

One in four gap year students ditch ‘hedonistic’ tradition and invite parents along

2009-11-07T22:08:00.000Z

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Title – One in four gap year students ditch ‘hedonistic’ tradition and invite parents along
Source – The Daily Mail
Date – 7th November 2009

I struggle with this story, for me it defeats the point of a Gap Year to some degree. We long ago started seeing ‘Gappers’ meet with family members at some point in their trip, but not generally for the whole trip...

On the other hand, that a Teddy Bear is packed comes as little surprise, people want some form of comfort and for some the Teddy is just that. There is nothing wrong with this, but we do always warn people that they should leave their valuables and items with sentimental value at home.

Anything you carry with you adds to the burden and while it may not seem that way while you drive to the airport, 2 months later you’ll be looking at any way of shedding every ounce of weight you can, as your pack starts to feel like a ball & chain. The gap year trail is littered with valuable travel equipment which has been dumped only a short time into a journey.

Teddys apart, taking your parents along does seem like a slightly excessive way of dealing with pre departure jitters…

There has been a steady increase in older independent travellers taking off round the world or undertaking volunteering after retirement or as a Career Break, but let’s not blur the line; the rite of passage which is ‘the gap year’, provides experience, builds confidence, adds skills and develops independence in young people. With the right research or undertaking a workshop like ours, the risks can be reduced considerably, something which taking parents along does not necessarily do.

Everyone who enjoys travel, should travel. It opens eyes and transforms opinions in people from 5 to 95 years old.

What is very outdated is the concept that Gap Years are mindless hedonistic experiences. The press should credit young people with more maturity and respect the value they add to communities they visit. Hedonism is very rarely the objective of travel for ‘Gappers’; volunteering projects, cultural experiences, environmental adventures and sporting activities are almost always the primary objective. If the odd party occurs along the way, is that so terrible? We should let young people have a bit of fun….

In the UK we tend to demonise and criticise young people rather than guiding them and allowing them to explore for themselves. We should celebrate the many achievements young people on Gap Years achieve and the many communities they help along the way; not steel their thunder…

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Coyote attack victim was rising folk star

2009-10-30T23:09:00.000Z

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Coyote attack victim was rising folk star
Source – The Times
Date – 30th October 2009

This is very much a ‘freak’ occurrence, coyotes are not generally considered a particular threat to humans. This tragic incident shows that we must always be on our guard against a variety of dangers when out hiking in different parts of the world.

In North America, we would generally see Bears as the main threat to humans. However the reintroduction and dramatic increase in wolf numbers in some areas has elevated the threat from them and the danger from other animals including snakes and hoofed animals such a Bison, Moose (and even large Elk) cannot be ignored. Some parts of the USA also face dangers from smaller animals such as scorpions and the diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes.

I sometimes think that this blog will make people paranoid, as we try and pick up on the wide variety of dangers people may face when visiting other parts of the world, which is not my purpose. We are not trying to scare people off travel, but rather make them aware of the many dangers so they can take often small measures which will offer protection against such incidents. After all you are statistically in substantially less danger from a fatal coyote attack in Canada then from a road traffic accident if you don’t travel and stay at home in the UK.

All I am saying is that we all know that getting in a car we fasten our seatbelts and obey the rules of the road we are taught during our driving test; how many of us know how to protect against animals when hiking in the Rockies? A little knowledge can go a long way…

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at http://www.safegapyear.com/. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Two men jailed for raping backpacker

2009-10-23T23:33:00.001+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Two men jailed for raping backpacker
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 23rd October 2009

I wanted to put this article into the blog because it sometimes feels like I write about all the dangers independent travellers face all over the world as if somehow we live in a perfect country and are surrounded by cotton wool where nothing bad ever happens.

The world can be a dangerous place and through Our Workshop we look to provide ways to reduce the risk where ever you find yourself. However just as there are unfamiliar dangers when you travel abroad, there are equal dangers for those visiting our shores.

This devastating experience for a New Zealand backpacker visiting London sadly reflects on the most vile element of our society and should humiliate our country where a visitor has faced such a depraved attack.

Dangers can occur anywhere in the world but it should never stop us travelling and expanding our horizons and we have to emphasise that the majority of independent travellers experience no serious incidents during travel.

Taking precautions does not mean that you are immune from danger, but taking risk reduction measures does just that; it reduces the risks through awareness, proactive actions and positive decision making.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Lip gloss test that spots if your drink is spiked with rape drugs

2009-10-16T21:42:00.003+01:00

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Title – Lip gloss test that spots if your drink is spiked with rape drugs
Source – Evening Standard
Date – 16th October 2009

‘Date Rape’ or ‘Drug Assisted Rape / Sexual Assault’ is a serious issue for independent travellers, unfortunately the reality is often not well understood.

Anything which helps reduce the risks faced from ‘drug assisted rape’ should be welcomed and this lip gloss / testing strip can be one line of defence. There are some problems; how many strips are provided in comparison with the number of drinks which might be consumed? How co-ordinated will an alcohol consumer be after a few drinks to remember or even be able to complete the fiddly test? However something is always better than nothing.

What is much more important is understanding the nature of the problem and dispelling the myths.

‘Drink spiking’ is a very different problem in the UK to other parts of the world. In the UK the majority of ‘drink spiking’ cases are linked to sexual assaults and although not exclusively directed at women the majority of victims are women.

In other parts of the world ‘spiking’ is more commonly used as a means of facilitating theft or even kidnap; this means that both men and women are targeted. That should not take away that drink spiking is still used to facilitate sexual assault and rape.

So for independent travellers the strategies to protecting against being drugged need to be more deliberate and proactive. In the UK we generally consider drinks to be the usual vector for ‘spiking’, in many part of the world ‘food spiking’ is even more common.

The substances used also vary; in the UK alcohol is by far the most used drug in ‘date rape’ and abroad this may still be the case for ‘drug assisted rape’ (no figures are available, but independent travellers should be aware that other travellers are often the perpetrators of this crime), but in ‘drug assisted theft / kidnapping’ it is overwhelmingly ‘illegal drug’ which are used; adding the additional danger posed to victims health from consuming the drug itself.

Understanding ‘drink / food spiking’ and is the most important step in prevention and should go some way to helping people protect themselves from the real dangers. Being cautious of strangers behaviour or accepting food / drinks from them and in some cases the use of testing kits is a start. Having friends you trust to look after you, who are loyal, unlikely to disappear half way through the night and who will ensure you get home safely is the most effective protection.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Hundreds feared dead in freak flood; It feels as though we are in a war; Hunt for survivors as tsunami death toll nears 200; British boy aged 2 lost..

2009-10-02T23:17:00.005+01:00

Title – Hundreds feared dead in freak flood – 28th September 2009 (The Times)
Title – It feels as though we are in a war – 2nd October 2009 (The Times)
Title – Hunt for survivors as tsunami death toll nears 200 – 2nd October 2009 (The Times)
Title – British boy aged 2 lost in tsunami – 30th September 2009 (London Lite)

It has been a terrible few days; we have once again been reminded that for all our technological advances, the earth’s power is still something we can not control, predict accurately or defend ourselves against.

Several hundred dead in the South Pacific following a devastating tsunami; hundreds dead in the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos after tropical storm Ketsana wrought havoc and flooding across the region; and destruction on an unimaginable scale in Sumatra from an earthquake which destroyed most of Pedang and the surrounding region, killing a yet to be determined number of people, but a number which will undoubtedly end up being in the thousands.

These are the headlines which have greeted us over the last week and in each case tourists have found themselves amongst the casualties.

These three instances have been so devastating that floods in India which killed over 80 people, landslides in Italy which killed over 50 and drought in East Africa which threatens hundreds of thousands and is destroying wildlife at a rate unseen in many years, have hardly featured.

There are three reasons why I have decided to include these articles in this blog;

The first is that having visited Sumatra and the Philippines as well as much of the Pacific, I can never help but feel a connection with these places and the people who live there. I think that it is undoubtedly true when you travel, you leave a little bit of yourself behind at each place you visit. So when something terrible happens, your sadness for those people who suffer as a result of these occurrences is that much more personal.

The second is that it is obviously important to understand more about the dangers of travel for people going for the first time. During our workshop we discuss the different types of natural disasters which occur and strategies for avoiding those which are ‘predictable’. In the UK we are ‘lucky’ to have a stable climate, not always the climate we would like, but even the most violent storm rarely cause the widespread destruction seen in Southeast Asia. We do not have to deal with earthquakes or the resulting tsunamis, it can make us very complacent to the sheer power of natural disasters such as these and the consequences. They can be seen as a photo opportunity rather than life threatening dangers which can quickly turn from ‘interesting’ to deadly.

The third is that travel undoubtedly generates ‘green-house gasses’ which play a role in the weather patterns which lead to storms, floods, droughts and climate change. I have never been an advocate of stopping people from travelling because of climate change, but the effects of travel need to be reduced to a minimum and where feasible ‘reparation’ measures taken to replace the carbon emissions our travel generates.

These disasters have a devastating effect on local communities, they need help but they don’t need tourists adding to the burden. Tourists should be aware of potential disasters and be able to act in a manner to protect themselves and to avoid adding to the local burden which when these occurrences happen are stretched to breaking point as it is. Often the best intentions of tourist trying to help (when they are not specialist aid or disaster recovery teams) are unwelcome and slow the rescue and recovery effort rather than helping them.

I have never seen disaster on this scale, but I have been in floods, earthquakes and witnessed minor volcanic activity as well as experiencing a tropical storm on one of the most isolated islands in the world and the tail of a cyclone while on a boat in the Philippines. None of these experiences would I care to repeat and none even come close to these recent disasters. I go out of my way to avoid any repeats and I wince when I hear stories of people who think it is heroic to get through such experiences; not avoiding these situations when you have the opportunity to is not brave it is stupid, dangerous and irresponsible. As travellers we often have the opportunity to avoid the worst effects of local disasters, whenever that opportunity presents itself we have a duty to take it. If you want to help… send a cheque.

These disaster areas need our help. While we argue at home about banker bonuses and if we should restrict the many billions they pay themselves to just a few billion, these places just need a fraction of that money; you can help by visiting www.dec.org.uk.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Two Britons die on Vietnam boat; Drowned Britons were on a world bicycle ride.

2009-09-29T21:06:00.004+01:00

Title – Two Britons die on Vietnam boat – 28th September 2009 (www.bbc.co.uk)
Title – Drowned Britons were on a world bicycle ride – 29th September 2009 (Metro)

It is another reminder, if one was needed, that the adventures we all take part in on our travels are not without risk.

There is no indication that this was anymore than a freak accident resulting in tragedy. However it remains the case that accidents in or on the water is one of the top two reasons for death overseas from accidents; alongside road traffic accidents.

All too often boats can be overloaded, safety precautions inadequate or completely ignored and equipment old, ineffective or wholly absent.

Two of the greatest threats to young travellers in developing countries using boats as a means of travel are inexperience and peer pressure.

Inexperience leads to naivety or an assumption that what is a very safe form of transport in the developed world carries little danger in less developed countries or that local boat operators experience will keep them safe. The latter is often certainly an important factor, but in countries where many people live on or below the poverty line, profit is often the winner in the battle between investment in safety equipment & maintenance or squeezing an extra few (or hundred) passengers on board and safety.

Peer pressure, is one of those problems that is very difficult to eradicate completely. Not wanting to be the one in a group who seems over-cautious or who speaks up when something doesn’t seem quite right, but rather taking the ‘fingers crossed’ approach, has led to many accidents that were avoidable. On boats, not paying attention to safety briefings is common (I know when I was working as a Dive Master in Thailand, it sometimes seemed like I was talking to myself) and not wearing life vest when available is endemic; are you really going to be the only one sitting there in an old torn bright orange ‘waist coat’?

As I say peer pressure is the most difficult ‘problem’ to fix. What we do during Our Workshops is to find ways round the peer pressure or at least somewhere comfortable in the middle. If you don’t want to wear the life jacket and be the odd one out, why not ask for one you can sit on as a cushion? That way you don’t stand out, but if disaster strikes, you will at least have a life vest to hand in the few minutes it can take for a boat to go down.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

BA: now it’s £60 to pick a seat

2009-09-28T23:34:00.003+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – BA: now it’s £60 to pick a seat
Source – The Sunday Times Travel
Date – 28th September 2009

I feel a rant coming on…. I will try and avoid the worst of it…

So it seems that British Airways are trying to slowly change their business model to compete with the ‘low-cost’ airlines.

The problem for me is you can’t have the best of both worlds. If you want to be a low cost airline then offer those silly low prices and charge for everything else, while providing a level of service which ‘reflects’ the price. If you want to be a scheduled (traditional) airline who can charge a ‘premium’ for flights without the mad scramble, then do that. I’m not sure a hybrid works where you pay the ‘premium rate’ and then have to pay for everything else.

The question is what is next, are they going to follow Ryanair and Easyjet and charge for every stage of the process? I’m in no doubt that other airlines will follow suit and in time we will get used to it, but I know what to expect if I am booking ‘low-cost’ and I know what I expect when I am willing to pay that little more for a carrier like BA. If the differential is no longer there, then cost alone will be the factor which decides my future airline choice… can BA really compete?

It used to be straight forward to calculate your flight costs into you overall travel budget, but independent travellers need to be careful these days not to be caught out by the many additional charges and baggage restrictions etc.

Be very careful especially with your baggage allowance, I have been with several carriers who have ignored my excess on the way out (skis, diving equipment etc) and when I have been on the other side of the world ready to return home have suddenly decided to follow the small print to the letter and charge me many hundreds of pounds in excess baggage… to date with no success, but more through luck, long arguments and stubborn persistence, then any magical formula.

So rant over… hopefully most passengers will object like I do to paying extra and leave the task of choosing their seat until the last 24 hours when it is free; that way everyone has a fair crack of the whip in getting a decent seat. Sadly it does seem the lottery of the emergency exit seat is a thing of the past; let’s just hope the people with the money to burn are also fit enough to open the emergency exit if required…

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Transport Options alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

‘Out of control’ thrill firms put UK gapers in danger

2009-09-28T23:30:00.001+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – ‘Out of control’ thrill firms put UK gapers in danger
Source – The Sunday Times Travel
Date – 28th September 2009

This is a story we first commented on in April 2008:

· Tour group admits errors over river-boarding death
· Family blames daughter’s death on the pursuit of most extreme sports

In my previous blog entry I included some simple ways you can take your own precautions when choosing a company whose hands you intend to put your life.

The good news is that the New Zealand government have realised that their good reputation has been dented and they need to do something to restore it and flashy advertising is no substitute for real control of the ‘adventure sports’ companies.

As always the responsible companies will welcome regulation, those who complain about it, are the ones to steer clear of.

Being safe does not take the edge off these activities and seeking out a reputable company and asking appropriate safety questions should not be something you are embarrassed to do. Reputable operators will welcome your questions and give you reasonable answers or proof of qualifications and safety / quality certificates.

Standing on the ledge of bridge with a rope tied around your legs should be enough of a thrill for anyone; knowing that the bungee rope is of the right length and in good condition should not add to the ‘excitement’.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Barcelona ‘is a steal’

2009-09-25T21:13:00.002+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Barcelona ‘is a steal’
Source – Metro
Date – 25th September 2009

Who said you need to travel to far flung corners of the world to be in ‘danger’ when you travel?

This latest survey suggests that for pickpockets at least destinations closer to home pose a serious risk; to our pockets at least.

Anyone who has visited Barcelona will be able to tell you that Las Ramblas while being a great place to spend a few hours, is also somewhere a money belt becomes a very worthwhile investment. But it is as much how you use your money belt as the investment itself which counts.

Money belts are not an alternative to a wallet, or to a reputable hotel safe; money belts are an additional layer of protection. Accessing your money belt in public is arguably putting you in greater danger than not using one at all; as it displays where you have probably ‘hidden’ all your valuables and could result in you being targeted for a more violent theft.

The key is to have a variety of different methods of protecting your valuables, both to give you peace of mind and confidence, as well as to protect the bulk of your cash, valuables and documents from the prevalent thieves who prowl Barcelona, Rome, Prague and Madrid and especially the well known hotspots such as Las Ramblas, train stations, busy markets and tourist hot spots.

During

Our Workshop we examine many different strategies for protecting yourself and your property from pickpockets and others who would seek to harm you and steal from you.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Try to be a help not a hindrance

2009-09-15T22:02:00.003+01:00

Title – Try to be a help not a hindrance
Source – Metro
Date – 15th September 2009

There are always two key issues which stand out when choosing volunteering companies which promote gap year travel and volunteering projects.

The first is the value of the project for the host community, is it designed to meet their requirements or yours?

The second is are you provided with any real additional protection in the country you will be visiting or is more of your fee spent on fancy marketing than systems designed to assist you when you most need it?

We have often said that you need to choose carefully, there are many excellent companies out there providing excellent services and ethical and responsible volunteering projects, there are also a lot of cowboys… What frustrates me most and tends to ring my alarm bells are companies which portray themselves as charities rather than commercial companies (not to be confused with those genuine charities who tend on the whole to be more focussed on the work they undertake).

Even the big companies often have very limited information or inductions for volunteers. Choosing to go with a company rather than solo is no substitute for doing your own extensive research into your destination and learning ways to reduce the risks you may face in the country you are visiting.

Tourism Concern have indicated that their research demonstrates that one in three companies are so profit driven they don’t even meet candidates before they travel and one in four fail to offer any kind of pre-departure induction at all; where exactly is all your money going and what exactly are you paying for?

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Tour group admits errors over riverboarding death

2009-08-25T21:36:00.003+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Tour group admits errors over riverboarding death
Source – The Times
Date – 25th August 2009

This is a story we first commented on in April 2008:

· Family blames daughter’s death on the pursuit of most extreme sports

This conclusion of the associated court case shows the guilt accepted by the company involved and serves as a reminder that ‘extreme sports’ are not without their dangers. The very concept is to get the adrenaline going and to ‘face our fears’ and there are many excellent companies who allow you to do this in the relative risk managed safety.

However where there are good companies there are also inevitably less good ones. In such competitive businesses, standards are often reflected in the prices charged in the battle to win customers. Independent travellers are often guided by price in their choices, in an attempt to try and squeeze the most out of a tight budget, but price alone should never be the only factor.

Let me give an example from my own experience.

As a very keen diver many of the places I visit offer more than one dive operator to choose from. Out of habit I effectively risk assess them all before I choose. ‘Risk assessing’ often sounds like a dull, formal, boring and over cautious approach, but we are not talking about boring forms or meetings with health and safety managers, rather just a sensible approach to making the right choices. The fact is during this process I also find out more about where each company dives, what their approach is to protecting their environments and which dive masters / crew seem the nicest; all very important in making the most out of what is an expensive activity.

My risk assessment roughly looks at the following factors:

· How clean, tidy and organised is the dive shop?
· How well maintained does the hire equipment look (even if I am using my own equipment)?
· How new does the equipment look (are the BCD’s faded by the sun, ripped, ragged etc)
· How do the staff approach my enquiry (do they ask to see my diving qualification, log book or enquire about my level of experience)?
· What type of boat do they use and what condition is it in?
· What are their emergency procedures?
· How knowledgeable are staff about the local area / environment; are they going to make my dive more interesting or just functional?
· What experience do the Dive Masters / Instructors have, who registers the dive centre and to what grade?
· I will ask other divers who have already dived for a recommendation or their experiences?

This seems like a long list and a hassle, but all this can be achieved through casual conversation when you visit the dive shop and while you are checking out the area. You will very quickly find which dive operation you are most comfortable with and which one is likely to give you the best experience. Like many ‘extreme sports’ safety must be at the top of your list of concerns when you are planning a dive; otherwise you’ll be uncomfortable and will not enjoy the experience…. And what is the point of that?

You may not be an expert, but common sense and a few well placed questions can go a long way to reducing risk. The behaviour, safety equipment, approach to safety and making that extra effort to make your experience one to remember, will certainly be a first step to avoiding accidents.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

2009’s hottest destination (and that’s when the trouble started)

2009-08-21T22:30:00.003+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – 2009’s hottest destination (and that’s when the trouble started)
Source – The Independent
Date – 21st August 2009

Responsible and Ethical Travel often treads a thin line and those influential bodies in the travel industry have an important role in making sure they stay the right side of it; none more so than Lonely Planet.

In this case it does seem that their decision to highlight the Bay of Fires in Tasmania as the ‘hottest’ destination for 2009 has led to a local battle which the Australians are by now very used to. The three way fight between conservationists, big business and the aboriginal community.

I don’t think we can really blame Lonely Planet for this, maybe they will even have been the catalyst to help preserve this area before it is eroded through human development, much as it may have been ignored until now, it this day and age nothing stays hidden forever.

So what can you do?

Promoting Ethical and Responsible Travel is something you can play your part in. Do your research and listen to all sides of the argument before you decide how to spend your ‘tourist dollars’ and where you decide to visit.

It is very much individual choice as to where you decide to visit and how you visit. Always balance your choices with the desires of local people and the level of ‘harm’ almost any form of travel will cause. We can certainly help you find a balance which will be acceptable to you, where your positive impact can offset some of the negative impact travel inevitably has.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Ethical and Responsible Travel, alongside sessions on Travel Health, Travel Safety, , Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Tourists to plead guilty / Community work for fraud Britons / Gap-year fraudsters plead to come home

2009-08-20T21:28:00.004+01:00

To view the original articles click on the links below

Title – Tourists to plead guilty / Community work for fraud Britons / Gap-year fraudsters plead to come home
Source – The Independent / www.bbc.co.uk / The Times
Date – 6th August 2009 / 20th August 2009 / 20th August 2009

This is an update on our earlier blog entry:

· Brit pair ‘terrified’ in hellhole Rio jail

I always try and emphasise that I don’t write / post these entries to vilify those involved or to make suggestion on guilt or innocence, but rather as a warning to other independent travellers. These are warnings which could protect you from some of the potential pitfalls of your actions abroad.

The outcome of this court case has found these girls guilty of fraud and making a false report to the police, they were sentenced to 14 months imprisonment (they could have been sentenced to as much as 5 years) which was converted by the judge to community service and a fine. This is undoubtedly a lucky escape when you take into account the Brazilian jail they would have had to serve their sentence in.

However in sentencing them to two hours community service per day for 8 months, they will have to remain in Brazil for eight months as they serve their sentence. During this time they will have to fund themselves and as things currently stand be unable to return to the UK. Their appeal will no doubt try and address these factors.

Possibly just as bad or worse, both will have a criminal record which may well preclude them from certain career choices.

This will all seem very harsh when in reality it seems that these girls are far from ‘career criminals’ and the facts suggest they made a stupid mistake and an error of judgement. The fact that they were ‘robbed’ is not in question (a traumatic experience as it is for many travellers). It seems that sometime between that incident and reporting the crime against them, they made the decision to exaggerate their loss. Many people will say that this is hardly uncommon; the fact is, it is a crime.

What we emphasise to independent travellers and what we preach during our workshops over and over, is to remember when you are in another country you must abide by the laws of that country and are subject to the sanctions those laws impose. Being British does not entitle you to any special treatment, in fact it can often mean you are made an example of.

It is safe to say that were this crime committed in the UK, these girls would at worst be facing a fine and possibly some community service, so their situation is not wildly different; the problem is this has to be done over 8 months and in Brazil… it adds a rather different perspective to the punishment.

We must also always remember that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime; the insurance companies actually only lose in the short term, it is all travellers who lose in the long term, with higher premiums (premiums which rise every year, in no small part due to the number of claims received by the insurance companies).

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance alongside sessions on, Travel Health, Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Encephalitis toll approaches 130

2009-08-17T21:35:00.003+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Encephalitis toll approaches 130
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 17th August 2009

Japanese encephalitis is one of those vaccinations which some travellers ‘sacrifice’ in order to make a ‘cost saving’. It is a rare disease in travellers, which is why some people choose not to get the vaccination; which is not available for free on the NHS.

However it is important that cost is not a factor in this decision making process.

Every time you travel you need to carry out a travel risk assessment and ‘cost’ should never be a factor in this equation. Sensible risk reduction is always cost effective, as the consequences of ignoring risk can often not be calculated purely in monetary terms.

In regard to the risk assessment for Japanese encephalitis, there are a number of different factors to take into account; the region you are travelling to; the type of activities you intend to take part in; rural or urban travel; the type of accommodation you will using; if you will be staying, working or visiting farms; the duration of your stay in the area; the time of year; and recent ‘outbreaks’ in the region.

This latest outbreak in a poor and remote part of India (Uttar Pradesh) is certainly something that any traveller to the region should be aware of. It makes vaccination of anyone travelling to the area, a fundamental part of the risk assessment process; tightening up on mosquito bite avoidance measures, will also help considerably.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

China tries to contain plague after second death

2009-08-04T22:59:00.000+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – China tries to contain plague after second death
Source – The Independent
Date – 4th August 2009

Just the very mention of ‘plague’ fills people with horror and conjures up images of biblical times; not a modern world in 2009. In the 14th century the ‘black death’ (plague) killed a third of Europe’s population; some 25 million people perished.

However for the average traveller, plague need not be near the top of the list of concerns. There are no known incidences of plague in travellers returning to the UK since 1918. However ‘awareness’ is a useful tool in developing preventative strategies.

The main strategy for preventing the contraction of plague is to avoid endemic areas / outbreak areas and to be aware of those animals which act as a vector for the disease.

This particular outbreak should not affect travellers unless they are already in the area; which is very remote and rarely visited. The Chinese have become very effective at controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases by isolating infected people and infected areas; something made easier when the government has so much control over its people…

Outbreaks of plague are not as isolated as they may seem and not always confined to these remote parts of the world. Although Africa accounts for 80% of cases, central Asia is also high on the list of the endemic areas; some 2000 cases and 180 deaths reported annually (figures from 2003). Worldwide there are also occasional large outbreaks, such as the 5000 reported in India in 1994. There have also been isolated cases in rural USA, Peru, Vietnam and Mongolia.

In Mongolia it is relatively well known that the Marmot, a common sight on the open steppe, can and do sometimes carry plague They are also hunted as a source of protein and for their skins by the local nomadic people. The Marmot is a representative of the type of animals which can carry plague, including rats, rabbits, prairie dogs, gerbils, guinea pigs and other rodents. Needless to say contact with these animals is not advisable in areas where plague is endemic.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Brit pair ‘terrified’ in hellhole Rio jail / Brazil ‘fraud’ Britons bailed

2009-08-01T01:41:00.000+01:00

Title – Brit pair ‘terrified’ in hellhole Rio jail / Brazil ‘fraud’ Britons bailed
Source – The London Paper / www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 30th July / 1st August 2009

Whatever the outcome of this particular case and I try always to apply the pretext that people are innocent until proven guilty, it highlights the potential for seemingly innocuous cases to turn into very serious ones.

There are many people who have defrauded their travel insurance company; they may not view it as ‘fraud’ and I have met some people who genuinely believe that it is ‘nothing serious’ and that ‘everyone does it’. Everyone doesn’t, I assure them.

There are also those people who have genuinely been robbed, pick pocketed, had bags stolen or been mugged who have taken the opportunity to embellish and exaggerate what was stolen to increase the insurance claim. This too is ‘fraud’ clear and simple. Let’s also remember these claims cost every traveller in increased premiums…

In the UK such ‘small scale’ fraud is rarely a police matter, it is usually dealt with by the insurance company themselves; even if the police do get involved the chances of spending more than a few hours in a cell awaiting interview are minimal.

We tell people time and time again, do not assume what goes at home, goes abroad. The law is different, the emphasis is different and the response is often very different. £1000 in the UK through significant to many people, is arguably not that significant to big insurance companies. £1000 in a developing country is very significant to everyone and much more likely to receive close attention. In many foreign countries there is also a dedicated police force tasked with protecting ‘tourists’, although I don’t think it is unfair to say they are really tasked with protecting ‘tourism’. Where tourism is a significant source of foreign exchange and GDP, the reputation of the tourist industry is fiercely guarded.

Most people realise that to be able to make an insurance claim when you return to the UK you need a police report from the country in which the crime took place. In this case that is what these girls seem to have done and on receiving the report the police seem to have investigated (something maybe we don’t always expect from police in the UK with ‘minor’ crimes) and discovered that there was some disparity between the report filed and the items missing.

£1000 is a lot of money in Brazil and probably a lot in comparison to the local police salary. It sounds strange but pride is a significant factor in many cases and I don’t imagine the local police and judiciary were over impressed by two young tourists trying to pull the wool over their eyes (if this is actually what happened). Travellers who get into trouble are always subject to local laws and local prison facilities. No one wants to find themselves in a Brazilian gaol, they really are dangerous places and two young English travellers are going to find this especially difficult.

I am sure that the truth will eventually come out and I hope even if they have been ‘stupid’ they are allowed home soon, because I would imagine what they have already had to face would be enough of a punishment for even a more serious crime.

There is a lesson here for everyone else.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance alongside sessions on, Travel Health, Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Graduates to get gap-year money

2009-08-01T01:31:00.005+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Graduates to get gap-year money
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 1st August 2009

Undoubtedly when this scheme is formally launched the ‘spoilers’ will be out there talking about ‘the cost to the taxpayer’ and how ‘graduates have already been funded by the tax payer during education’, but I for one will not be amongst them.

Opportunities for young people can seem few and far between sometimes and if this scheme allows 500 young people to go off and help communities who are in desperate need of it, then I am all for it. Not only will the communities benefit, but graduates who may not have the chance otherwise, will experience something which will not only change their lives but change their employability and their outlook on the world.

Purely from a political point of view at a time when the country has turned slightly inwards and far right political parties and those with isolationist manifestos have gained slightly in popularity, it is important that our younger generation are given opportunities to see the benefits of an inclusive world.

There are a number of schemes out there already which provide funding for bursaries or funding for young people including the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (www.wcmt.org.uk).

The benefits of a constructive gap year are well documented, most employers like them, they provide real-world insight for candidates.

Many parents (despite the sense of trepidation, fear, loss of control and helplessness) accept that there are very positive benefits to a gap year. After their child has completed a successful gap year the parents experience for themselves the positive change and the increased sense of responsibility their child returns with.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance alongside sessions on, Travel Health, Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

A close-up snap

2009-07-30T23:44:00.003+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – A close-up snap
Source – The Metro
Date – 30th July 2009

During our workshop we look at many different aspects of Travel Safety and even touch on the issue of danger from wild animals.

With ever more exotic destination being chosen by travellers, encounters with unfamiliar wild animals are increasingly more likely. From the prolific hunters of Africa (a list topped by the hippopotamus), to the marmots of Mongolia (which still carry plague), every continent has its own contenders for the list of ‘dangerous animals’. The feral dogs which in many parts of the world infected with Rabies and the snakes, spiders, scorpions, jellyfish, sharks, bears, big cats, buffalo, piranha and many other species which have been labelled as dangerous, can awake deeply ingrained phobias in many people.

We really try and get one message across; never forget these animals are wild!

In the UK, television, zoos and safari parks have tended to desensitise us to the real dangers. Television especially has a tendency to require more and more sensationalism. Presenters regularly approach wild animals to get themselves in-shot. What they don’t show is the planning, expert knowledge and the ‘safety net’ in place; or the real perspective which often means they are not actually as close as they seem.

I have visited many places and heard stories of deadly encounters with wild animals; in South Africa, the Japanese tourists who climbed out of their car to have their photograph taken in front of a pride of lions ‘sleeping’ off the midday sun under a tree; in the Red Sea, the diver experiencing the ‘ultimate thrill’ of feeding sharks only to end up being bitten themselves; in the USA, the campers asleep in their tent mauled by a Grizzly, because they failed to clean up properly after dinner.

Wild animals should be respected and you should keep your distance. Remember when you leave the city / your hotel / the safety of your vehicle, you enter their environment, one which they have been adapting to for thousands of years.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance, Travel Health, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

River blindness ‘can be beaten’

2009-07-21T23:06:00.002+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – River blindness ‘can be beaten’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 21st July 2009

Onchocerciasis or River Blindness is another of the terrible afflictions which local populations face in parts of the world, which can affect travellers and for which protective measures should be taken.

Once again Africa and particularly Sub Saharan Africa is badly affected by this terrible disease with it’s debilitating symptoms.

With 37 million people affected by River Blindness the news that there is hope for successful treatment is very welcome and let’s hope the funding is found to extend the work already being done.

For independent travellers the key is prevention. Bite protection is the key, so avoiding the Black Fly habitats (river banks and lakes), wearing appropriate clothing, use of insect repellent and insecticides and sleeping under a mosquito net are all essential. Make sure that if any symptoms occur (even some years after infection) you inform your doctor of your travels and where appropriate seek specialist advice and treatment.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Health, alongside sessions on Travel Safety, Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam

2009-07-20T23:01:00.002+01:00

To view the original article Click Here

Title – Tourists warned of Thailand airport scam
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 20th July 2009

There is not a continent on earth (with the exception of Antarctica where the penguins are remarkably honest) where scams are not perpetrated. Some are worse than others, some more frightening, some more expensive, some more obvious, some very clever, some criminal and some just ‘cheeky’.

Thailand is no exception to this rule, in fact it can sometimes feel like Thailand specialises in the scam at every level. They range from the fake gemstone scam, to the planting of illegal drugs. Sadly as with many countries where the police are paid a very low wage, some scams inevitably involve rogue police officers and other government officials.

In countries where corruption is almost endemic, some scams effectively become accepted as part of ‘the system’.

The thing which worries me about this scam is first that it seems to target victims using technology (CCTV) which is easily manipulated, but more that it takes place in what many travellers feel is a bit of a ‘sanctuary’; the airport.

Culture shock affects us most in unfamiliar environments like the Far East where the heat, humidity, hustle and bustle, traffic, food, chaos of the urban areas, poverty etc. delivers sensory overload, which can be significant. Sometimes the ‘sanctuary’ of an international airport, an environment we feel comfortable in, which is familiar to us and one more akin to our home environment, is just what we need to boost confidence for the next leg of a journey.

This also means we let our guard down, we behave in a manner more familiar to the one we know at home. Everything has a price so there is no need to haggle, the food (even if we take the local option) is presented in a more western style and so we assume that we will also be protected in the way we are at home; a way we take for granted.

So to be suddenly caught up in this kind of scam is frightening and the fact that those involved are officials within the airport, the police and potentially even the judiciary, make it a very difficult one to get out of. The loss of passport puts you at the mercy of your ‘captors’ and the facilities you are kept in mean that any sum of money to free yourself seems reasonable.

The hope is that by uncovering this scam publically and by consulates putting pressure on the Thai government, it makes them clamp down and put and end to this practice.

To avoid getting caught up in the scam the best and most obvious way is to avoid shopping at the airport. If you want to shop, just don’t touch anything you are not buying and pay with a credit card so you not only get (and keep) a receipt, but also a record of your transaction is made by your card company. The last piece of advice is to be more obvious than usual when handling anything you are going to buy, don’t open your bag, hold everything at arm’s length and with finger tips so any cctv footage will clearly show you paying for items and shop alone. Shopping alone means that if you are travelling with a partner at least they can call the embassy for help if you are caught up in the scam.

At Beyond The Blue (Safe Gap Year) our Gap Year and Independent Travel Safety & Awareness Workshop (GYITSA) considers issues of Travel Safety, alongside sessions on Ethical and Responsible Travel, Travel Health, Travel Equipment, Travel Insurance, Destination Advice, Transport Options, Documentation, Travel Money and Insurance and more.

Please visit our website at www.safegapyear.com. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.