Getting robbed during your vacation can lead to a lot of stress and ruin your entire getaway. Some tourists become easy targets for crimes because they follow tourist trends that are not always safe. Criminals see tourists as easy targets because they may be unfamiliar with the area. When visiting any country, regardless of how safe they are, it is best to take a few precautions to prevent you from being scammed or targeted by criminals like pickpockets. Here are some essential safety tips traveller can implement to ensure they are safe and secure on their vacation.
1. Blend In and Avoid Looking Like a Tourist
One of the biggest mistakes tourists make, especially in countries where crime is high, is dressing like tourists. Most tourists follow the trend of wearing clothing and accessories indicating they are visitors. Whether wearing souvenir clothes or accessories from the gift shops or sporting a camera around the neck, tourists are often easy to spot. To avoid pickpockets and scammers, try to blend in as much as possible with the locals by doing the following:
- Avoid overly branded tourist clothing and flashy accessories.
- Carry maps and guidebooks in discreetly.
- Display confidence when exploring and avoid looking confused or lost, even if you are.
- Learn some of the basic local phrases so that you don’t draw unwanted attention when asking for directions.
2. Keep Your Valuables Secure
Theft, particularly pickpocketing, is one of the most common tourist crimes. In some cases, the tourists leave their valuables carelessly, and in other cases, they pack them all in one place. Follow these simple precautions to reduce the risk of someone stealing your belongings on your vacation:
- Digital theft has become common; use an anti-theft bag with RFID protection to prevent this.
- Ensure your bag is always zipped and walk with it in front of you when in crowded areas.
- Make copies of your important travelling documents and store them in a different location from the original.
- While cash is important, do not carry too much around and use a debit/credit card with fraud protection.
- Always keep your phone and wallet in a secured zippered pouch or front pockets.
- Always keep your belongings close to you.
3. Stay Aware in Crowded Places and Tourist Hotspots
Criminals often target tourists in crowded areas. It is crucial to stay alert when you are exploring tourist hotspots. Places like train stations, markets, and streetside attractions are popular places for pickpockets. Along with theft, many tourists are scammed in these places. While enjoying the scenery, stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts. Here are some helpful tips to help you stay vigilant during your vacation:
- Pickpockets sometimes work in groups and may scheme to distract you while another swipes your valuables. Be mindful of the people around you and distractions that may occur.
- Aggressive street vendors are often hoping to steal from you, so avoid these types of vendors at all costs.
- Avoid wearing flashy, expensive jewellery or electronics in public, especially in places with a high crime rate.
- Pickpockets often use the trick of bumping into you to steal from you, so it is important to always check your pockets if someone collides with you.
4. Plan Your Routes and Transport in Advance
Tourists who are exploring new areas are easy targets. Criminals see them as prey when they realise these tourists are unfamiliar with the area, increasing the risks of scams, thefts, or more severe dangers. Plan and avoid these risks by:
- Researching areas that are safe and unsafe before visiting.
- Use transportation services that are well-known or popular taxi apps and avoid random taxis.
- l Avoid walking alone at night, especially in areas that are unfamiliar or dark.