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Here's A Map To Help You Travel Safely

In late 2015, International SOS published a very handy little map titled the Travel Risk Map 2016.

Since it’s a new year – and you may still have a little more time on your hands than usual – now could be a particularly good time to think about where in the world your travels could take you next.

If you have somewhere exotic in mind, it can really pay to keep tabs on what’s going on in that place both politically and geographically (Australia is the only continent with no active volcanoes!).

Since 2010, International SOS has published a Health Risk Map, which was renamed to the Travel Risk Map this year to take into account the new travel security risk rating. The company is among the world’s leading medical and travel security

International SOS, the world’s leading medical and travel security services company, and Control Risks launch Travel Risk Map 2016 to help organisations better understand the risks in the markets where they operate and travel.

Interestingly, an analysis of international business travel against the Travel Risk Map discovered that nearly 1 in 3 trips abroad are to countries with a higher medical or security risk rating than the travellers’ home country.

While the map was designed namely for businesses needing to send their employees abroad, it can also be used by the public.

A recent Ipsos Global Advisor study asked participants about their concerns and preparations when travelling abroad. The report found that while eight in 10 travellers have felt their personal safety could be threatened while abroad, less than four in 10 travellers research crime at destination, neighbourhoods to avoid, safety standards of public transport, or security features of their accommodation before they travel.

Dr Irene Lai, Medical Director of Information and Analysis for International SOS, said: “We created the Travel Risk Map to help travellers align their pre-trip preparations proportionately with the risks they may encounter in a particular location. Even in countries with a low medical risk rating and state of the art medical services, travellers may still need assistance with language or navigating an unfamiliar health care system – both of which can be significant barriers to obtaining care.”

Features of the map include drill-down capabilities to see specific zones within countries that have a higher travel security risk rating, and city/country search functionality.

It might be a good idea to keep this one as a favourite in your web browser!

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Alana Lowes

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