GradCity.com and Beth Holloway Stress Safety this Spring Break Season
Organizations Offer Easy Tips to Make Student Travel Safer
PEABODY, Massachusetts, March 24 /PRNewswire/ - GradCity.com, a
division of First Choice Student Travel, and the International Safe Travels
Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Beth Holloway, the mother
of missing teen Natalee Holloway, have jointly released a series of steps
students can take to make their travel experiences safer. This announcement
follows GradCity.com's 2007 launch of its BreakSmart
(
http://gradcity.com/breaksmart.php) campaign, which was created to
encourage responsible decision-making while on Spring Break.
"With Spring Break right around the corner, stressing safety while
traveling is paramount. And since Natalee Holloway's disappearance just
under three years ago, students and other young adults, as well as parents
and teachers have been seeking out ways to make student travel safer - both
internationally and domestically," said Joe Bush, Managing Sales Director
of First Choice Student Travel. "Our BreakSmart program, which makes
available safety tips and cautionary advice for students, is one way
students can arm themselves with information to help ensure a memorable and
safe travel experience."
There are many steps students can take to travel more safely this
spring and summer. Travel experts at StudentCity.com and
InternationalSafeTravelsFoundation.org recommend the following tips to
start:
- Research the destination - Familiarize yourself with laws and
customs, research potential health and safety risks, and look into
news and current events in the area you are visiting before you
travel. The United States Department of State offers itemized
destination information at
http://travel.state.gov. Lindsay Waits,
Director of Education for the International Safe Travels Foundation,
points out that it is wise to be aware of not only U.S. advice, but
also that which is offered to travelers from other countries. She
suggests that travelers visit the Australian Department of Foreign
Affairs at
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au.
- Know your limits - Alcohol impairs good decision-making, so stay in
control and stay safe. Never accept drinks from people you don't
know. Also, be aware that the amount of alcohol in popular drink
choices may vary from country to country.
- Travel in pairs - Using the "buddy system" is of utmost importance
when traveling. NEVER go anywhere without a buddy, and stay in large
groups when possible. Be a buddy to your friends by keeping track of
their whereabouts.
- Know who to call - Create a list of emergency contact numbers before
embarking on your trip. Include local hospitals, police stations and
the U.S. Consulate in the area you're visiting. Carry numbers at all
times while traveling and always contact the U.S. Consulate
immediately if a situation arises while traveling internationally.
Make sure you know the 24-hour number for the Consulate, in addition
to its address and hours.
- Be cell-phone savvy - Prior to traveling, activate international
calling on your cell phone, rent an international cell phone, or get
an international calling card. Most importantly, learn how to call
internationally from the country you're visiting.
- Ask questions - Talk to your trip organizers and ensure you have all
the proper contact information for onsite staff and onsite travel
offices before you depart.
"International travel is a wonderful and exciting experience for most
students. It should be safe as well," said Beth Holloway, President & CEO,
International Safe Travels Foundation. "I established the International
Safe Travels Foundation to help travelers of all ages plan a safer trip,
regardless of destination. The foundation encourages travelers of all ages
to prepare for trips by researching the destination fully, and becoming as
educated as possible. And most importantly we encourage parents and
students to talk openly about how to stay safe while traveling, so that
students can focus on having a good time while on their vacations."
About GradCity.com
As the leader in leisure student travel, GradCity.com partners with
airlines, hotels, clubs and entertainers to professionally plan and manage
unforgettable travel experiences. Since 1987, GradCity.com professionals
have arranged and hosted thousands of students on tours to the Caribbean,
Mexico and various travel destinations throughout the United States for
Spring Break, Winter Break, Graduation and other school-sponsored trips.
GradCity.com provides exclusive student events and has the highest staff to
student ratio in the industry. GradCity.com is owned by First Choice
Student Travel under the corporate umbrella of TUI Travel, PLC. TUI is one
of the world's leading leisure travel companies operating in 180 countries,
with over 30 million customers from more than 20 countries and 48,000
colleagues across all businesses and is listed on the London Stock
Exchange.
About The Safe Travels Foundation
The Safe Travels Foundation is a US tax-exempt, charitable organization
qualified under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code established to
inform and educate the public to help them travel more safely as they
travel internationally.
SOURCE GradCity.com
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