The Responsible Traveller, Safety and Emergencies

Travelling responsibly and safely

A good trip is not only enjoyable. It is one where the traveller respects the place they visit and stays safe getting there and back. This module works through four things every traveller should think about: - Being a responsible traveller: acting well towards local people, their economy and the environment.\n- Respecting local cultures: finding out about customs, dress and food, and behaving with respect.\n- Safety and security: the procedures used at departure and by travel organisations.\n- Being prepared: entry requirements, travel health, and how emergencies affect travel. Customer service and working in the industry each have their own module. Here the focus is how to travel responsibly and safely.

Words for safe and responsible travel

Five terms you need before you use them. Learn what each one means.

Match each traveller action to its kind of responsibility

At the airport against on board

Safety procedures come in two groups: the checks you pass through before you go, and the systems a travel organisation runs to keep everyone safe. Knowing both helps you cooperate with them.

Which is the responsible choice?

A tourist wants to travel responsibly in a country they have never visited. Which choice best shows that?

• Learn some local customs and buy from local businesses
• Ignore local dress customs at religious sites
• Leave litter behind on the beach
• Waste water freely because it is a holiday

Tap the two security procedures at departure

Tap the TWO security procedures a traveller passes through at the point of departure.

• Screening bags and scanning passengers
• Checking tickets and passports
• Choosing which souvenirs to buy
• Deciding how much to tip a guide

Before you travel: entry rules and health

Getting the paperwork and the health precautions right before you leave prevents problems at the border and keeps you well while away. Check the entry and exit requirements in good time: a valid passport, any visa or travel permission the country asks for, a health cover card where one applies, and any departure tax. Rules differ from country to country, so never assume. Look after travel health too: arrange any vaccinations the doctor advises, pack protective clothing or a mosquito net where needed, and read the latest official guidance on any risks. A little preparation means fewer surprises and a safer trip.

Pick the true facts about travelling safely

Select the TWO statements that are true.

• Checking passport and visa rules before booking avoids problems at the border
• Following the safety demonstration helps you respond in an emergency
• Security screening is only for the transport staff to worry about
• Local customs never matter once you are on holiday

Order how to prepare for a trip abroad

Put the steps of preparing for a trip abroad in a sensible order.

• Check the official travel advice for the destination
• Make sure the passport and any visa are valid
• Arrange any vaccinations and travel health cover
• Pack within the luggage and security rules
• Follow the safety procedures while travelling

A well-prepared family trip

Follow how the Ahmed family got ready for a trip overseas, thinking of both safety and the people whose country they were visiting. Reading up first: they looked at the latest official guidance for the country and noted that it was calm and safe to visit. Papers in order: they checked that every passport was valid, applied for the travel permission the country asked for, and arranged the vaccinations the doctor advised. Packing with care: they packed within the airline rules, keeping liquids and sharp items out of the hand luggage so the checks before boarding would be quick. Respecting local ways: they read about local dress and eating habits, learned a few polite words, and planned to buy from local shops and guides. Because they had thought it all through, the journey was smooth, and they were welcomed warmly wherever they went.

Complete the safe travel facts

A traveller who respects local people, the economy and the environment is a _____ traveller. A normal, expected way of behaving in a place is a social _____. The checks that keep dangerous items off transport are called security _____. Up-to-date official guidance on the risks of a destination is a travel _____.

Build a responsible travel point

Choose the words that complete this statement about travelling well.

The safe travel run

Five questions on responsible and safe travel. Three lives.

Make the responsible, safe choice

Read each situation and choose the responsible, sensible response, then think about why.

• You are visiting a place with different dress customs at its religious sites. What is the responsible thing to do?
• At the airport your hand luggage holds a large bottle of liquid. What should you expect?
• A travel advisory warns of a disease outbreak at your destination. What is the sensible response?

Explain how to travel responsibly and safely

A friend is planning their first trip abroad. Explain how to travel responsibly and safely using what this module has covered.

• Explain what it means to be a responsible traveller
• Explain one way travellers can respect local cultures
• Explain two safety or security procedures when travelling
• Explain one entry requirement to check before a trip
• Finish by explaining how an emergency can affect travel