With all of us trying to do things ourselves, sometimes what seems like a time saver can actually be time waster. If you use the services of a travel company properly, you find a huge amount of information from someone who is an expert, rather than guessing on our own.
To take this to the simplest level, imagine you have just been “asked” to travel to a foreign country for business. Now some destinations may seem exciting, but you need to understand the local rules and what is required of you prior to your travel date. The first thing is to remember that the entire world does not speak English, so choosing where you will stay and how you will travel in that country make a significant difference.
You also need to understand what travel documents will be required, such as a Visa or other specified identification. One big item many people over look are the health requirements enforced in another country for entry and also for re-entry home. Many times certain vaccinations are required as you probably do not have the immunities that a resident of that country has that you are visiting.
Here is the easiest way to understand vaccinations for a trip abroad. If you have lived in one city for many years, you are accustomed to the pollen and other things floating in the air. Have you ever noticed that when you travel to certain cities that you feel like you are either getting a cold or perhaps are having allergy problems? Well that is the same thing but even more magnified when you travel to another country.
Remember people say do not drink the water, basically because it is not what you are accustomed to drinking. So remember that many times you need to try and replicate your home environment as much as possible when you travel. There is no better person to ask theses questions and learn how to be prepared for trip than to talk with a travel professional. They area resource you need to know how to use and not take for granted.
By Ted Miller, CHME, CHSP Starwood Hotels and Resorts