When it comes to travel risks, it is easy to get caught up in the big issues that typically catch our attention.
Catastrophic natural events are so well publicized they stay fresh on our memory. Think if things like hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc.
The same can be said for high-profile incidents such as a mass shooting, kidnapping, or murder. The effect these types of things have on our psyche is profound.
They typically capture all of our attention when it comes to the risk we plan for when traveling.
However, the importance of “small” risks should not be lost.
These smaller risks typically have a much lower impact than the big stuff and are often overlooked despite the fact they occur much more frequently.
Let’s take a look at a few of the areas you should be considering.
Petty Crime
Petty crime, while not signification in relation to more serious criminal activity, can have considerable influence over your travel plans.
Often being crimes of opportunity, petty theft and pick-pocketing are typically carried out on targets of opportunity without the use of weapons.
Since these types of crimes are primarily opportunistic in nature they do not target particular people groups.
Personal security should be emphasized and situational awareness is paramount.
Medical Issues
Medical issues cannot be taken lightly!
Small considerations such as the legality of the prescription drugs you are traveling with in regards to your destination need to be thoroughly researched.
In line with that, do you have any special medical conditions requiring particular care on occasion? If so, can those needs be met at your final destination?
Be sure to work through these types of scenarios well in advance of your trip.
Stolen Luggage
Luggage is lost, damaged, and stolen, more often than we think, but the chances are still slim.
However, you should plan for it to happen.
Carry all essentials in your carry-on or at a minimum, you should at least carry backups for all your essentials in your carry-on.
Traffic Laws
When traveling in a country outside of your own, there are many things you need to be aware of in order to make the trip go as smoothly as possible.
One of the often overlooked areas relates to the travel laws at the destination you are traveling. Things we take for granted as being normal may be totally unacceptable in other places.
For instance, in the UK, you can be subject to harsh penalties for using a handheld in any capacity while driving.
This includes talking, texting, navigation, music, etc. Educate yourself before you travel to mitigate these issues.
The point of this article is to create an overall awareness in regards to travel risk management.
While it’s easy to focus on bigger issues, these “smaller” risks are a lot more common and can have a detrimental effect on your travel.
Make sure they have a place when conducting your risk analysis.
