30 Tips to Help Optimize Your Next Business Trip Abroad  

Whether you’re traveling internationally for business or leisure, here are 30 practical tips that will help your next trip to be more successful, trouble free and safe.

Pre-Trip Prep

• Enroll your trip with the embassy or consulate. U.S. travelers can enroll in the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Citizens of other countries should check with their governmental authorities if see if a similar service exists.
• Keep color copies of your passport. Email one to yourself; store in secure, cloud-based storage; and/or hide a copy in your luggage.
• Copy credit cards and IDs, front and back. If they are lost or stolen, you will have the numbers to call the respective companies. Before departure, check with your credit card company and bank to ensure that your cards will work in the countries you’ll visit.
• Obtain the right visa for your destination country. Each country has specific visa entry requirements. Don’t enter on a visitor’s visa if you are traveling for business. If you are caught having entered on an incorrect visa, it could be detrimental for both you and your company.
• Suspend mail and newspaper delivery. You may also want to ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check on your home periodically .
• Avoid mobile phone bill shock. You have many options to avoid high bills. For example, you can add an international calling plan for the time you’re traveling abroad, acquire a prepaid phone, or use Skype or a local mobile phone.
• Decide what devices, computers and adapters to bring. If your phone, laptop or tablet stores confidential business or personal information, think about how to protect it before you take off (locking it, taking cleaned devices, etc.). Remember that electrical outlets around the world are not the same as those in the U.S. While some hotels will provide adapters or have built-in outlets for different geographies, you may want to purchase your own universal adapter to ensure you can connect when you need to.
• Register your device. For example, iCloud your iPhone so that friends and relatives back home can locate you wherever you are.
• Carry your credit and ATM cards or anything with a magnetic strip or chip in a RFID–blocking wallet or case. This will prevent them from being scanned for your personal ID, account numbers and PINs.
• Be medically prepared. Get the proper inoculations for all countries you will be visiting, carry copies of your prescriptions, and check with your insurance company to see if you have medical travel coverage. If not, you may want to buy medical travel insurance.
• Have direct-dial numbers for providers you may need to contact. Toll-free numbers (800 / 888) will not work to dial into the U.S from overseas, so be sure you have your direct-dial numbers for providers such as your bank, insurance company, or airline.

In Transit

• Use covered luggage tags on your bags. It’s easy for someone to obtain your personal information if you have an open luggage tag. It’s also a good idea to store pictures of your luggage on your phone.
• Store your carry-on bag as close to you as possible. Ideally, store it in the overhead bin a few rows ahead of you diagonally, to keep it in your line of sight. Place it with the zipper side down, if possible.
• Keep your medication (prescription or OTC) in the original container. If you are questioned, providing medication in its original bottles with labels will make it easier for you to explain. Also, if you have a medical condition that may need attention, carry the appropriate medical records.
• Elude “airplane germs.” Dan Pink, author and world traveler, shares two practical tips: travel with antiseptic wipes to clean the pull-down table, armrests and chairs; and rub the inside of your nose with an antibiotic ointment (e.g., Neosporin) to help combat the germs that you may inhale when breathing airplane cabin air.

On Arrival

• Tell those back home when you’ve arrived at your destination. Text or call at-home family members and/or business contacts each time you arrive at a new destination so that they know where you are at all times.
• Know the currency exchange rate and the in-country tipping protocols. There are apps available for this. Also, keep “mugger’s money” on hand and easily reachable. This is a small amount of local currency that you won’t mind handing over should you encounter a thief.
• Make sure your driver pick-up or taxis are properly identified. The driver’s placard or sign should contain the logo of the transit company or a hotel as well as your name. Be wary of anyone who has a sign that has only your name on it. Also, if you’re taking a taxi from an unfamiliar airport, make a quick visit to the taxi desk to ask the distance and cost to get to your destination.
• Be culturally prepared. Whether your trip is for business or leisure, increasing your cultural intelligence (CQ) will make your stay or assignment more successful and productive.
• Learn a little of the local language. Even if you don’t know the local language, learn a few important phrases. There are good translation apps for purchase to help you connect and communicate.
• Dress culturally appropriate/do not attract attention to yourself. Don’t stand out as a tourist: go without the expensive shoes, jewelry, designer purses, and clothes. These items will make you stand out and may draw undesirable attention from people with criminal intent. In some countries, even wearing sneakers will be frowned upon. Dress conservatively in religious regions: do not wear shorts, short sleeves, or short skirts. It’s advisable for women to carry a pashmina or large scarf in case they need to cover up.
• Be careful about what you eat. Enjoy the local cuisine, but be aware of what and where you eat. Ice cubes, tap water and raw food should be avoided. It is a good idea to have  a bottle of charcoal capsules on hand (buy them at local health food or grocery stores) in case you become ill from eating unfamiliar foods. The charcoal absorbs toxins and you should feel better within 30 minutes of taking the capsule.
• Know and follow local law. Be honest with immigration and border personnel on entry and departure, and follow the law while you are in the country. Penalties for breaking the law may be severe and the legal systems may be vastly different from those at home.
• Do not post to social media. Share your trip on social media AFTER you return. Don’t alert unwanted visitors that your home is unoccupied

At Your Hotel

• Don’t use your first name when signing in. Use only your first initial, or sign in as Mr. and Mrs.
• Be prepared for fire. Request a room on the second to the seventh floor; the first floor is too accessible to the general public, but you’ll want to be able to make a quick exit through the stairwell if necessary. And fire ladders generally reach only to the seventh floor. Find out where your fire exits are and count the number of doors to those exits so if the building fills with smoke, you can escape quickly.
• Hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door handle at all times – even when you’re not in the room. You can also keep the television or lights on to deter unwanted visitors, or a guest who has been double booked in your room. The sign, TV or lights will alert the guest (who has a key card) that there there might be someone in the room before entering.
• Do not accept adjoining rooms. Even if there’s a lock on the adjacent door, ask for a different room.
• Never give your room number to others. If you are ordering food from outside your hotel, ask the delivery service to bring the food to the front desk or arrange to meet the delivery person in the lobby. If a hotel clerk says your room number aloud while others are present, ask for a different room.
• Vary your route when going to and from your hotel. By taking a different way each time, it will be difficult for others to know exactly when and where you are going. Your concierge can help you choose the safest and quickest routes for your excursions

Your international trip can be a memorable and exciting experience. By following these tips, it can be a safe and stress-free one as well.