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Tracking the risks of overseas travel

Do you research the security and/or medical situation at your destination country? (Image: Jim Glab)

Do you research the security and/or medical situation at your destination country? (Image: Jim Glab)

A new survey finds that a majority of persons who travel abroad worry about possible health and security risks, but few take the time to actually research the situation at their destination country. Now two risk-management firms have come out with a new map that might help.

According to International SOS and Control Risks, two firms that specialize in health and safety issues for corporations and their business travelers, a new Ipsos Global Advisor survey of travelers found that fully 80 percent felt their safety or health could be endangered abroad, but fewer than half that number did any research to see what the specific risks might be, or how to mitigate them.

The study found that among “senior executive travelers,” some 71 percent have had some kind of medical problem while abroad, but only 15 percent looked into the health care options available at their destination country before departure.

The survey polled more than 10,700 international travelers, about a quarter of them senior executives.

International SOS and Control Risks said that according to their analysis, nearly one-third of all international business trips are to nations that have higher medical or security risks than the traveler’s home country.

So they put together a world map showing the overall risk levels of various nations — from both a security and a medical standpoint. You can click here to open up a large interactive version of the map that you can  zoom in on, and see all the country-specific ratings and explanations of terminology and risk factors.

Here's a basic version of the new risk map; click on the above link for a larger interactive version. (Image: International SOS/Control Risks)

Here’s a basic version of the new risk map; click on the above link for a larger interactive version. (Image: International SOS/Control Risks)

At the very least, you can prepare for your next international trip by checking the U.S. State Department’s list of travel alerts and warnings to see if anything of concern is going on at your destination.

Readers: What steps do you take before an international trip to assess risks and protect yourself? Post comments below.

 

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about:  5 ways to save using Uber/Lyft  + New overseas plan from Verizon + Trans-Pac fare war?

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