Always remember these Safety Tips when travelling to South Africa

Safety is an important issue throughout the world, you need to know what to do and what not to do. Fortunately the Tourism Safety Task Group of South Africa has compiled the following helpful tips for tourists and migrants who come to the country…

At a hotel:
Never leave your luggage unattended
Store all your valuables in the hotels safety deposit box
Keep your room locked at all times, whether you are inside or not
Always check who is at the door before you open it
Leave your room keys at the reception desk when leaving the hotel

In the street:
Avoid over-the-top displays of expensive jewelry, cameras and other valuables
NEVER carry around large sums of money around (a better option is to use URCard)
Steer clear of dark, isolated areas at night
It is better to travel around with a group of people and stick to well-lit, busy streets
Plan out your route beforehand so you know where you are going
A police officer or traffic officer will be glad to help if you are lost
If you ever need to call a taxi, your hotel or a tourism information office can help you out

In a car:
Plan your route in advance
Keep your car doors locked and wind the windows up if you are in an unsafe area
Lock all your valuable items in the boot of the car
At night, always park in a well-lit area
NEVER pick up strangers
If you are in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice

In general it would be advisable to always carry a reliable map with you. Plus you should keep a certified copy of passports and other important documentation, like flight tickets in a safe place such as a bank or the hotel’s safety deposit box.

Always leave your valuables at home. There is a chance your luggage may be opened and your valuables stolen when you are at the check out area.

- Do not wear expensive jewelry
- Never allow yourself to be separated from your hand luggage
- Always remember that laptops, phones and handbags are targeted items
- Do not allow yourself to be distracted by one person while another runs off with your possessions

South Africa is not the only country where the above list applies; it applies to majority of destinations around the world. Tourists are often caught up in unpleasant situations because they are not vigilant and wise because they are “on holiday” and in a carefree mood.

 Do you need a reliable shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Give Airport Shuttle a call today!

8 Obvious Signs that you’re a Tourist

Travelling is an opportunity to experience new places and new cultures. Unfortunately most travelers stand out like sore thumbs! Don’t be a foreigner, blend in with the locals and experience life through their eyes.

These 8 signs will signal to the locals that you are obviously a tourist.

1. Skimpy Clothing

Unless you crave unwanted attention, leave the miniskirts and cleavage-bearing shirts at home. If you are travelling to a country that is religious, like the Middle East or to Jerusalem, you should be smart enough to wear conservative clothing.

2. Guidebooks

Avoid carrying around your guidebook everywhere like it’[s your favourite accessory! In addition to looking like a stereo typical tourist, you’ll miss out on the experience of actually being there.

3. Sneakers

People in Europe do not wear sneakers unless they are going for a jog. Are you planning on jogging to the top of the Eiffel Tower? If not, then leave the sneakers at home, especially if they are bright and draw a lot of attention.

4. National Flags

Do not, I repeat, do not wear clothing splayed with your national flag if you are in another country. This is a way to stand out from the crowd for all the wrong reasons!

5. Gaudy Jewelry

Wearing over the top diamond rings or flashy necklaces when traveling sets you up to be robbed! Of course, the best thing to do is leave your expensive jewelry at home.

6. Backpacks

However for daily travel to and from sites and locales, avoid taking a backpack for your main baggage. Large and bulky, these bags aren’t meant for inner city travel or for walking through museums.

7. Cameras

A camera that is worn as a necklace just shouts tourist. Avoid this by packing light, like a handheld digital camera. This way you can tuck your camera away after you’ve got your shot.

8. A Fanny Pack / Moon Bag

You’d think these awful looking bags would have been long forgotten by now! However there are always travelers who feel the urge to pack their money and other important things in one of these things. Unless you want to be the target of thieves and jokes, throw your fanny pack in the garbage.

Have you ever arrived at the airport to realise you have no way of getting to your hotel? Well, contact Airport Shuttle in Cape Town and we can get you to or from Cape Town International Airport, quickly and comfortably!

South African Travel Safety Tips

Safety is an important issue throughout the world, you need to know what to do and what not to do. Fortunately the Tourism Safety Task Group of South Africa has compiled the following helpful tips for tourists and migrants who come to the country…

At a hotel:

  Ø  Never leave your luggage unattended

  Ø  Store all your valuables in the hotels safety deposit box

  Ø  Keep your room locked at all times, whether you are inside or not

  Ø  Always check who is at the door before you open it

  Ø  Leave your room keys at the reception desk when leaving the hotel

In the street:

  Ø  Avoid over-the-top displays of expensive jewelry, cameras and other valuables

  Ø  NEVER carry around large sums of money around (a better option is to use URCard)

  Ø  Steer clear of dark, isolated areas at night

  Ø  It is better to travel around with a group of people and stick to well-lit, busy streets

  Ø  Plan out your route beforehand so you know where you are going

  Ø  A police officer or traffic officer will be glad to help if you are lost

  Ø  If you ever need to call a taxi, your hotel or a tourism information office can help you out

In a car:

  Ø  Plan your route in advance

  Ø  Keep your car doors locked and wind the windows up if you are in an unsafe area

  Ø  Lock all your valuable items in the boot of the car

  Ø  At night, always park in a well-lit area

  Ø  NEVER pick up strangers

  Ø  If you are in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice

In general it would be advisable to always carry a reliable map with you. Plus you should keep a certified copy of passports and other important documentation, like flight tickets in a safe place such as a bank or the hotel’s safety deposit box.

Always leave your valuables at home. There is a chance your luggage may be opened and your valuables stolen when you are at the check out area.

  §  Do not wear expensive jewelry

  §  Never allow yourself to be separated from your hand luggage

  §  Always remember that laptops, phones and handbags are targeted items

  §  Do not allow yourself to be distracted by one person while another runs off with your possessions

South Africa is not the only country where the above list applies; it applies to majority of destinations around the world. Tourists are often caught up in unpleasant situations because they are not vigilant and wise because they are “on holiday” and in a carefree mood.

For affordable accommodation, contact 808 Cartwright. Do you need a reliable shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport? Give Airport Shuttle a call today!

Written By: Christine Romans