When Paul Grattan thinks about holiday travel, he gets nervous. And for good reason.

As a retired New York Police Department sergeant—most of his career spent with the city’s Transit Bureau—he’s seen what happens during the busy period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

And as they say in New York — it ain’t a pretty sight.

At the height of last December’s holiday shopping season, grand larceny incidents rose 1.5 percent from 2022. “Law enforcement has also seen upticks in organized retail theft and the subsequent sales of stolen property online,” says Grattan, who spent years supervising a plainclothes team in the NYC subway system.

In other words, you better watch your back if you’re travelling this holiday season. And that’s true beyond the city limits of New York.

The holidays can be the most dangerous time of the year to travel.

Travel safety is a hot topic this holiday season, according to experts.

“This upcoming holiday season may differ in terms of travel safety primarily due to the anticipated increase in travellers, which could surpass pre-pandemic levels,” says Tim Dodge, vice president of marketing at Arch RoamRight. “High travel periods can lead to increased incidents of loss or theft.”

And that’s not the only difference.

“Travelers face an increasingly complex safety landscape,” explains Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. “Several factors are poised to make this year different, including unpredictable weather, rising social unrest, and an uptick in faith-based violence and extremism. Migration challenges and refugee movements add further layers of complexity, particularly with petty crime becoming more prevalent in destinations where resources are stretched.”

So, how do you stay safe?

Know what you’re getting yourself into

Experts warn that travellers make easy targets during the holidays. Even a tiny amount of research should allow you to figure out ways to avoid large crowds and minimize security risks. This is particularly true if you’re travelling abroad, where criminals target Western visitors. “Travelers should be mindful of political unrest or heightened security threats in specific areas,” warns John Rose, chief risk and security officer for ALTOUR, a global travel management company. “Stay informed through travel advisories and be prepared for last-minute changes or restrictions on particular destinations.” (Here are the State Department travel advisories.)

Keep your eye on the weather.

Holiday weather is notoriously unpredictable in the Northern Hemisphere. “You can count on it being a factor this holiday season,” says Jen Moyse, a vice president at TripIt and SAP Concur, a travel expense management company. “We’re continuing to see storms at unpredictable scale and timing, so travelers need to be prepared for everything and pay attention to weather reports.” There are ways to monitor the weather before and during your trip. For example, TripIt Risk Alerts notify you when potential disruptions like weather events may affect your trip, even before they result in a flight delay or cancellation.

Be ready for anything.

Carrie Hartman, president of global corporate travel and relocation platform 3Sixty, says preparation is key. “Make sure to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers not only weather-related delays but also medical emergencies and travel disruptions,” she says. “If you’re driving, pack an emergency kit with essentials like blankets, food, water, a first-aid kit, and a power bank. If you’re travelling on business, check with your employer or client to ensure it has a strong duty of care in its policies covering everything from vetted accommodations to real-time support in an emergency. Dodge, the Arch insurance executive, recommends travellers consider a policy that covers trip cancellations, interruptions, and delays caused by weather or other covered reasons. “This can alleviate the stress of unexpected expenses and complications,” he says.

Know what you have

Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance, says people often overlook a key step in protecting valuables. “Make a list of everything in your luggage,” he recommends. This is increasingly important if you are carrying valuable gifts in your luggage. If your suitcase is lost, you have a full breakdown of everything lost.” Cronin also recommends taking photos of everything in your suitcase laid out flat for easy reference. This can also help if you have to file a travel insurance claim.

If you have to travel during a busy time, take extra precautions

“Stay extra alert in busy places like airports, train stations, and shopping centres since they’re prime spots for theft, especially during the holidays,” advises Jeff Ketelaars, co-founder of Security Guards Only. How so? Keep your valuables in a secure, hidden spot, like a money belt or a crossbody bag zipped up and close to your body. And always keep an eye on your belongings.

Practice better hygiene during the holidays.

One of the biggest dangers may be the threat to your health. “With flu season approaching, you can follow a few tips to protect yourself and others from getting sick,” advises Eugene Delaune, Allianz Partners’ senior medical consultant. “Use proper hand hygiene like soap and water or an anti-microbial alcohol-based sanitiser. Wipe down common areas like tray tables, seat backs and armrests with anti-microbial sanitizing wipes.” Delaune, a former ER physician, also recommends covering your mouth when coughing and covering your nose when you sneeze. If you are coughing when you travel, wear a mask. “Avoid travel if you are ill, as you’re exposing others around you to an illness or infection,” he adds. In other words, be a considerate traveller.

Slow down

That’s always good advice, but particularly during the hectic holidays, it can save your life. Driving fast on icy roads can be deadly. “Driving on bad roads is stressful enough,” says Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners Travel Insurance. “Build in a buffer, and you can remove the worry about whether you’ll reach your destination on time.”

What about those pickpockets?

Grattan has a few strategies for those petty criminals roaming the city during the holidays.

Especially during the holidays, you should avoid displaying recently purchased items — especially high-value items or in packaging that suggests they are from high-priced retailers.

“If you see something you like, consider buying it online or carrying it discreetly,” he says.

Related tip: As you end your day and return home or to lodging, consider making more significant purchases. Better yet, have them shipped so you won’t have to lug them around town. (Here are a few more tips for keeping your valuables safe.)

“But remaining alert is a tried and true method of reducing the likelihood of becoming a victim of theft while travelling,” he says. “Bad actors prefer to prey on easy, inattentive, and unsuspecting people.”

He says to close your personal belongings—phone, wallet, and handbag—close. This will drastically reduce your chances of being a victim.

It’s no secret that the holidays can be a chaotic time to travel, but don’t let that deter you from having a safe and enjoyable journey. Preparation is essential whether you’re navigating crowded airports or battling winter weather. Invest in comprehensive travel insurance, pack appropriately, and remain cautious in public spaces. With some foresight, you can confidently embark on your holiday adventures.

 

 

 

Written by: Christopher Elliott

 

 

BIO:
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@elliott.org.

 

 

 

 

 

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