Christmas is here!

It's, again, that season of the year when excitement fills the atmosphere and everyone can feel the grip. Planning is top gear for family visits, holiday trips, group/family vacations, etc. But an important item that hardly makes our checklist is safety.

As religion devotees, Nigerians often rest their safety on faith, and hardly regard travel safety tips until trouble strikes.

Each year, we get stories from Nigerian travelers of how they encounter mishaps. Some are minor cases of pickpockets and miscommunication. Yet, others are as serious as robbery, accident, and theft.

That you have traveled ten times before and didn't run into trouble doesn't mean you are insulated from troubles. You must not take travel safety tips with levity. While you hope for the best during trips, prepare for the worst. These 7 important tips should help you stay woke and stay off of trouble during your next travel especially overseas.

Research Your Destination, Learn Their Common Scams

Nigeria isn't the only country with scammers! They are everywhere, even in the safest countries!

It is wisdom you learn a few things about your travel destination. Things like what's their criminal history? Which part of it records high crime incidents? What is their culture etc.?

It's funny how most Nigerians believe they can never fall victim to a scam. Yet, it keeps happening!

Some Nigerians have fallen victims of the Money-doubling or dollar-watching scam in Dubai. These guys are often on the streets and some major cities. They approach you asking to change a dollar. If you give in, your money is gone!

In Paris, France, there's the ring scam. In Cuba, it is the milk they use to scam visitors. Also, in Costa Rica, the trick is a broken taxi. You need to stay woke! A simple search on Google can help a great deal.

Keep Your Valuables Safe

Experience shows that tourists or holiday travelers are most at risk with travel theft.

As most Nigerians do, you may want to pack your luggage to the brim. Taking only necessities especially on a holiday trip helps.
Get a small strong lock for a few valuables you would go out with. And mind them! It's funny, but this is one of the best personal travel safety tips you can get.

A client and his wife, Engr. Adesola, we helped with flight and hotel bookings had Miami in their holiday travel itinerary. They visited the Miami beach on the third day of their stay. Just while they joined some tourists to pose for shots, their camera was stolen. That was in Miami!
Some thieves and pickpockets are so experienced that they can move nearly anything. Be conscious of your valuables at all times. Also, ensure your accommodation has good storage facilities before you book.

Get Travel Insurance Cover

Sadly, a lot of Nigerian travelers consider travel insurance less important.

Funny, one replied "I'm not going to Madrid to fall sick" when we advised her to get travel health insurance sometimes ago. Her ignorance was loud.
You don't only need travel insurance for health or death reasons. Many different incidences require insurance cover. Missing a passport or luggage is common.

Good thing is, you get peace of mind when you insure. But watch it. Research well to find the right insurance companies in Nigeria for travel.
Axa Mansard and Custodian offer pretty good services. But if you encounter difficulty finding one, you can reach us for help.

Identify with The Nigerian Embassy or High Commission in Your Destination

Well, this may be a no-no for you. You don't want to have anything to do with Nigeria outside the country. We feel you!

Contrary to popular belief, the Nigerian embassy or high commission has helped many Nigerian travelers abroad. Mostly when there's some attack, robbery, natural disaster, etc., they can step in. If you are visiting a country where any of these occurrences is common, try and identify with them. This enables them to reach you for help easily. Don't have the mindset that the Nigeria you meet at home is the same abroad.

Connect with Locals, Seek Their Help

Even if you are the world's biggest introvert, you must mingle.

Aside from being one of the best travel safety tips, it's also a great way to have a memorable travel experience.
Many locals are welcoming and willing to help tourists. They know the in and out of their locality. Therefore, it's wisdom you quickly identify with them once you arrive.

Front desk officers at the hotel are proven to be more receptive and helpful. If you can afford it, leave them a little tip. That can spark some great connections.

Identify with Their Dressing

You don't go to Dubai wearing a suit. Your dressing will just shout "I'm a tourist!"
And you know what that means, right? You are the first target for scammers, the first suspect for local authorities. In short, you are the first anything wrong!

By far, language and dressing are the easiest ways to connect with locals. When you dress their way, you blend with them. And that helps protect yourself.

So, check out the dress pattern of locals. That of the Middle East is obvious. Mexico and other South American countries also have a distinct dress pattern.

Don't Show Off

You know how it goes in Nigeria; the fancy lifestyle.

Well, you had better drop that mentality back home. Unless you are ready to hire a flit of security guards abroad. And don't always give in to the pressure of helping people, especially road-side beggars.

The story of how Kenneth, one of our clients, was robbed in Brazil is still fresh in mind. He helped a beggar he met outside his hotel with some cash. The following day, he was returning late to the hotel and met the beggar joined by four boys. They insisted he should give them some money. He resisted. And they forced his wallet off him, took the cash in the wallet and threw it back at him.

If you must help, let your instinct guide you. And monitor the terrain very well.

Wrap Up
Don't ignore these travel safety tips or consider them too common. They can make or mar your travel experience.

At [url]travelwahala[/url], there are other important safety tips for travelers we encourage our clients to learn. Learning a little about people's language, customs, culture, and laws is very important. In our eight ( of rendering quality travel, visa, and flight solutions to Nigerian travelers, we have discovered that safety is key to enjoying a great travel experience.

https://travelwahala.com/https-travelwahala-com-7-travel-safety-tips-you-must-know/

Cc: Lalasticlala

Great write-up. Hope Nigerians learn

Lalasticlala, please, help educate Nigerian travelers