Staying Safe as a Holiday Rep

Holiday reps may feel safe because they work for large companies that operate in well-established tourist resorts. But despite the friendly nature of these resorts, reps work in foreign countries and there can be significant differences between local cultures, customs, laws and life in the UK. As a result, it’s never wise for holiday reps to think of resorts as sun-filled extensions of their home. They must respect local ways and take precautions to stay safe.

Law

Holiday reps should learn the basic laws of a country in which they work. An example is a country’s legal attitude to drugs. This includes medicine that’s available on prescription in the UK. Many countries do not tolerate the possession of drugs such as marijuana. This applies even if the drugs are for personal use. Prison sentences are mandatory. What’s more, some prescription drugs are illegal in certain parts of the world. Holiday reps who need medicine should investigate whether the areas where they intend to work will accept the drugs as legal.

Medicine

It follows from this that holiday reps who need medicine should also check availability abroad. Embassies can give advice on the local names of drugs and how much they cost. Holiday reps should not assume that foreign pharmacies have what they need.To help avoid problems, it can be useful to carry a letter from a UK doctor. This should give details of any prescribed medicine and the condition it treats.

Jewellery

Luggage restrictions prevent holiday reps taking many personal possessions abroad. Jewellery, of course, is small and easily carried, it’s therefore tempting to pack it; but jewellery, especially gold, is a magnet for thieves. It can lead to break-ins and muggings, so it’s best to leave it with friends or relatives at home.

Other Personal Possessions

Some other personal possessions are now a popular feature of travelling, whether the owners are holiday reps or tourists. These possessions include MP3 players and laptops. Holiday reps should consider suitable insurance policies for these items. A standard UK insurance policy may not cover possessions for prolonged periods overseas.

Passport

When a holiday rep loses his or her passport, the loss causes understandable concern. It’s impossible, though, to guarantee the safety of a passport all the time. The best approach for holiday reps is to take two photocopies of the passport identification page. They should leave one copy at home and take the other with them. They should keep the copy separate from the passport.

It’s also worth carrying two of the original passport photos. In the event of passport loss or theft, a holiday rep should contact the local UK embassy and show the two photos and a copy of the identification page. This makes replacement easier.

Bank Cards

As with passports, holiday reps should take copies of their driving licences and bank cards. Before going abroad, they should also tell their banks and credit card issuers the countries in which they intend to use the cards. Banks can become suspicious if someone makes regular purchases with cards abroad. They may put an unexpected stop on the cards’ further use.