Now that travel restrictions have eased across the UK, international travel is becoming more prevalent in the business world. Perhaps you’re booked to attend a conference in Hong Kong, or maybe you’re delivering a client pitch in Spain. Wherever you’re heading, it’s important to ensure you’re prepared for the dangers that come with international travel.
While your employer is responsible for ensuring you’re not put in a harmful situation, as an employee you’re also expected to take steps to keep yourself safe while away on business. From taking out travel insurance to ensuring any payments you make are secure, there are a few important things to bear in mind before you pack up your briefcase.
Here, we investigate some of the things you should do to keep yourself safe when traveling for work.
Ensure you have adequate travel insurance
You never know what might happen while you’re abroad, so it’s always best to be prepared for something to go wrong. Travel insurance will protect you financially in the event your belongings are stolen or lost, as well as if you fall ill or have an accident during your trip. Keep in mind that not all activities are covered by travel insurance, so ensure you have a clear idea of what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
Centralize your payments
Ensuring all your payments are made with one card will not only make it easier to claim any business-related expenses after your trip, but will also prevent unsafe transactions which could put your data and finances at risk. A prepaid card can also be tracked easily if an issue occurs. For example, if your card is stolen or lost. An open banking platform can also be a great way to manage payments when traveling for work.
Plan your meetings in advance
It can be tricky to navigate a new city, particularly when you’re in a hurry. Avoid the last-minute panic by organizing your meetings ahead of time and planning your route the day before. Not only will this ensure you arrive at your meetings on time, but it will also prevent you from getting lost, which could be dangerous if you lose access to mobile data and don’t speak the local language.
Ensure you get any necessary vaccinations
Not all countries require a Covid 19 vaccination to permit entry, however, it would be wise to be immunized against the virus, particularly given how serious the pandemic has been in the UK. You may also find you’re restricted as to where you can go in certain countries, due to the introduction of vaccine passports. There may also be other vaccines you require to enter certain countries.
