International Travel: Safety Considerations and Planning Tips

Despite the easing of pandemic restrictions, travel still carries risks, and experts warn that poor planning and lack of knowledge about destinations are the biggest security risks travelers face. While popular countries like England, France, and Italy may be deemed safe by the government, hotspots can flare up faster than authorities can track them. Additionally, travel within the United States is not rated for safety by the State Department, and other countries issue troubling advisories about traveling in the U.S. To stay safer while traveling, experts recommend researching destinations, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, purchasing adequate travel insurance, having emergency contacts and a backup plan, and considering additional safety features like telehealth and kidnap and ransom insurance. Ultimately, travelers should be aware that travel is never completely safe and should take precautions accordingly.