If you travel for business or have employees who frequently travel, you know flying outside the U.S. provides opportunities to engage with other cultures and meet clients face to face. However, it’s no secret the ever-changing political climate can make things tricky. Now, I realize it’s unrealistic to predict every dangerous situation abroad, but simply being aware of and using preventive measures to detect risk can ensure you’re sending your employees off with applicable tools in hand.

How can you do this? Well, for starters, check with the experts on risk! Tips and data are readily available from the U.S. State Department, CIA Fact Book, insurance companies, travel resources, and travel assistance providers on how best to navigate the environment of a specific country. P.S. I can tell you a thing or two, as well.

But, just to give you an example of what I mean…say you have a client with operations in Central America. Great! Everything’s A-OK…or is it? In this specific case, you should contemplate a region commonly known as the Northern Triangle (Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador). Levels of crime, including violent crime, are high there. For example: Among the list of things your employees should be aware of would be:

In this case (well, in any case of foreign travel), your travel manager should:

And, here’s where you come in. As an employer, you should develop a strategic risk plan for travel. As a great resource, the International SOS’s website has practical strategies for improving travel risk, including suggestions such as:

You should also consult with your insurance broker, insurance company, travel provider, or seek out other resources to ensure a successful and safe trip. I know at Holmes Murphy, we have experts well versed in international travel and would be more than willing to discuss locations and possible areas of risk, as well as help you come up with a risk plan for travel!