With the plethora of information online, abundant travel agencies and alluring vacation packages, international travel has never been easier. In the process of making the necessary arrangements, however, certain details that seem minor at the time are neglected, one of them being ‘making the necessary notifications before the trip’.
Yes, social media makes it easy to stay connected with almost any part of the world, but there are still key people that need to be kept in the loop to ensure you do not end up in a bind far from home.
Whether it is a quick trip to next door countries like Ghana or Cameroon, or a sojourn to exotic locales in other continents, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site provides a list of 5 people you should contact before traveling overseas.
Health Insurance Provider
Your health should be one of your major concerns. Aside from the official checkup and vaccinations, ensure that your health insurance that covers international travel. Sometimes, health insurance set up by companies is limited and only cater to minor situations. Visit your health insurance provider or put a call through to them and make necessary verifications. Determine what you need covered before you travel and adjust your policy if needed. If you do not have any health insurance at all, make efforts to obtain one for your trip.
Bank
There is no denying that money plays a huge role in determining how fabulous your trip turns out. With the current situation in Nigeria, where you can no longer access local accounts abroad or use local ATMs, the call to the bank is a critical phone call to make before you make the trip. The bank not only assists with acquiring the needed foreign currency, alerting your bank reduces the chance of any problems with your account or ATM while you’re away from home . They keep tabs on transactions, perhaps fraudulent, that may occur locally while you are away.
The Nigerian Embassy
This may seem far-fetched, but it is important to inform your local embassy before taking a trip to a foreign country, that way they give you details on where to find your country’s embassy when you get there. This is essential, especially if you are visiting a travel-risk zone or a country that has experienced unrest in recent months. The Nigerian Embassy may not be in every country in the world, but for the locations where they are not present, they link you up with sister embassies that can give you the immunity or protection you may need in dire situations. Notifying them also helps if you lose your passport.
Mobile Phone Network Carrier
Making phone calls outside the country comes with a very stiff price, especially if you are roaming. If you have plans of travelling you’re your local SIM card, put a call through to your network provider and find out the plans they have available for the destination you are headed. Some networks offer options that allow you sign up for an international plan which could save you a lot of money, while staying connected while abroad. Data, phone, and text plans are available with most networks and they can generally be implemented with the right know-how.
Neighbour/Friend/Relative
No man is an island. If you are travelling, no matter how discreet you want your journey to be, ensure you tell someone or have a contact with whom you will stay connected to while you are away. A neighbor could be helpful with keeping an eye on your property and alerting you or even taking proper actions in the case where notice anything out of the ordinary at your home. A trusted friend or relative on the other hand is also a good option as they can help you water your plant or take care of your pets, and also, they are in a better position to take actions in situations where you do not come home when you were supposed to return.
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