Health, Safety, and Responsible Travel
Health on the Journey
Feeling well makes all the difference:
- Hydrate before and during flights, and go easy on alcohol and caffeine
- Move regularly on longer journeys to reduce stiffness and help circulation
- Pack a small “flight comfort kit”: eye mask, earplugs, lip balm, moisturiser, socks
- Keep essential medication in your hand luggage, never checked baggage
- If you are prone to jet lag, plan gentle activities on arrival day and try to quickly align to local meal and sleep times
Travel Insurance: A Non-Negotiable
Protecting your investment is essential. Holidays are precious, both emotionally and financially:
- Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance in place from the time you book, not just from the day you travel
- Keep records of bookings and payments in one secure place
- If travelling with expensive items like cameras, laptops or jewellery, check they are covered
A good travel insurance package offers coverage on common claims such as medical expenses incurred overseas, trip cancellation, loss of or damage to personal property and baggage, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation.
Responsible Travel
Thoughtful choices can protect the places you love:
- Learn a few simple words in the local language: hello, please, thank you, excuse me
- Dress appropriately for cultural or religious sites
- Support local restaurants, artisans and guides where possible
- Follow guidance on wildlife encounters: avoid activities that involve direct contact, feeding, riding or performing animals
- Reduce waste where you can: refillable water bottles, avoiding unnecessary plastics, reusing towels responsibly
These small actions add up, and you will often find locals respond warmly to visitors who show respect and curiosity.
Staying Flexible
“The most challenging part of traveling for me was learning to stay flexible. Things will inevitably go wrong, but don’t let minor setbacks ruin your trip,” shares Michaela Castle, who studied abroad and visited 35 countries.
A few tips for staying flexible:
- Give yourself “buffer time”: consider arriving at the airport earlier than strictly needed
- Allow time between connections, especially if changing terminals or airlines
- On multi-centre trips, factor in “do nothing” days after long travel segments
- Avoid scheduling something important immediately on your return day
Checking Local Restrictions
Before traveling, always be aware of local regulations and restrictions. These can range from entry requirements to measures to curb overtourism. For example, Japan recently imposed a tourist ban on all visitors to Kyoto’s historic Gion District to protect locals from overcrowding and inappropriate conduct by unruly tourists.
Staying Informed About Attractions
Making a list of things to see is a must. But sometimes, certain tourist attractions may undergo major changes like closures, different operating hours, or relocation. The famous Black Trunk Rock in Taiwan collapsed into the sea in December 2023, causing the formerly popular vista to disappear completely. Before you travel to a specific location, make sure to do a quick search online to see if the place is still open.
