Responsibility for people away from home.
WHY IT MATTERS
Clients are in unfamiliar places, dependent on you, and unable to manage problems themselves.
WHAT TO ASSESS
Activities offered and their risks Transport arrangements Accommodation safety Destination conditions Health considerations
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT ACTIVITIES
Who operates them Whether they are competent and insured What safety measures exist Whether participants are briefed and equipped
WHY
Activities booked through you become your responsibility in the client's eyes.
WHAT TO ASSESS ABOUT ACCOMMODATION
Fire precautions and escape routes Security Water and sanitation
WHAT TO ADVISE CLIENTS
About local conditions, honestly.
WHY HONESTLY
Clients who feel misled about conditions are lost permanently.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT HEALTH
That clients disclose conditions affecting travel or activities That they arrange their own medical advice
WHAT NOT TO DO
Give medical advice.
WHAT TO RECOMMEND
Travel insurance, strongly.
WHY
Medical costs abroad and repatriation are beyond what most travellers can meet.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Whether the client has it, and record the recommendation.
WHAT TO PREPARE
An emergency procedure: who is contacted, what is done, who informs family.
WHAT TO HOLD
Emergency contacts for every traveller.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Someone reachable at all times while clients are travelling.
WHY
Emergencies occur outside office hours, invariably.
