Several new markets, previously untapped for potential investment have sprung up -from China to Chile and from Laos to Latvia, which are rapidly opening up in a wide range of businesses. Being more or less unfamiliar ,business travel to some of these countries need to be well planned by finding out as much as possible about the country’s political, social and economic scene. Here are some tips which can be followed to make you adequately ‘equipped ‘ before setting out for your journey.
• Ensure that your hotel is in a good neighbourhood. Expensive hotels need not be in a good area; a hotel in a safer residential suburb could at times prove to be a safer option.
• Arriving in a strange airport in the middle of the night can be disorienting. Try to arrange to be met at the airport, either by business contacts or by a hotel courtesy bus. In case a taxi is the only choice, ensure that it is licensed and waiting in an official queue.
• When inside your hotel room, keep the door locked; check the identification of visitors before opening the door ; avoid hanging the “ room to be cleaned’ sign at the door; and leave valuables in the hotel safe.
• Hire a car and driver for travelling round town or book a cab for both outward and return transport. Short-stay visitors should avoid driving themselves as driving standards may vary and petrol can be hard to find outside major towns.
• Walking around the streets may be a tempting idea., but avoid walking alone particularly at night or at least walk purpose to avoid undue attention.
• In case you are mugged , avoid any form of struggle. Carry a minimum amount of cash, some expired credit cards and a few useless receipts, which can be handed over without losing much.