Go Overseas With Ease: international business

Showing posts with label international business. Show all posts

Friday, October 30, 2015

Hong Kong – Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is Hong Kong island's tallest hill that provides spectacular views of the city and surrounding areas. The tran station was opened in 1888. At that time, travel to the top took three hours and now it takes only eight minutes. The tram is the steepest funicular railway in the world. I spent an hour walking around the peak soaking in all of the wonderful energy and breathtaking views.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Overseas Travel—Last minute packers need not apply

Overseas Travel—Last minute packers need not apply

(see video below)

If you are planning to travel overseas, and if you are one of those last-minute packers who likes to pack the night before you leave, there are certain things you need to plan two weeks or at least one week before you leave.

Here are some of my suggestions of travel checklist activities you can't leave for the last minute.

· Ensure you have what you need before you begin to pack.

Write a pack list. Make sure you have everything on the list before you begin packing. Major categories include passport/all travel documentation, outerwear, clothing, shoes, underwear, toiletries, cosmetics, medications, workout clothing, swimwear, pajamas, travel guides, spare glasses, extra luggage tags, cash, Key electronics and chargers, extra credit cards, antibiotics, umbrella, reading materials, at least one washcloth for each overseas hotel, and more.

· Carry-on what you cannot do without.

Think carefully about your carry-on luggage. I always like to bring everything I absolutely cannot do without, just in case my luggage never arrives. This includes such items as medications, spare glasses, chargers for electronics, and some extra underwear and socks.

· Address medical issues and bring key prescription meds.

Think about any medical issues, any prescription medications you may need, and contact your doctor. I highly recommend that everyone bring an antibiotic prescription with them. You never know when you will need it. Also, find out if there are recommended vaccines for your destination countries. Arrange to take the vaccines. If you get carsick or seasick easily, bring seasickness medications.

· Notify banks and credit card companies of your destination countries.

Contact your credit card and ATM companies/banks and notify them of all of your travel destinations. You want to ensure that you will be able to use them everywhere and avoid being flagged because of “suspicious behavior”. Explore if your bank shares alliances with overseas banks that will waive the ATM transaction fee. Also find out what fees they charge for international transactions. Often the transaction fee is 3% of the total.

Make sure you have enough cash in your checking account. In case of emergencies, you may need to withdraw large sums.

· Bring extra US cash.

Get notes in small denominations so that you won't lose money if you need to change smaller sums into the local currency. In some cases, (where appropriate) small denominations of US bills can come in handy for tips.

· Have passwords handy.

Make sure you know all of the passwords to your key accounts especially financial and healthcare related.

· Give travel itinerary copies to loved ones.

Make sure your closest loved ones have copies of your travel itinerary including all hotel information.

· Procure $150 in local currency.

Never arrive somewhere overseas without some of the local currency. Make sure that when you arrive, you have at least enough money for taxi fare, some food, and other miscellaneous needs. You don't know when or where you will have your first access to an ATM machine. Large banks will allow you to order foreign-currency in advance, online. They will ship it directly to your home or to your nearest banking center. I recommend that you order at least $150 worth of currency for your first country.

· Check the weather in advance.

Be prepared. As you are packing you will need to know if you need light weight jacket or heavier jacket, a raincoat, hats, gloves, and any other items for certain weather conditions.

· Bring international adapters and or transformers for all of your electronic devices.

There are some handy all-in-one adapters that include components for all the major parts of the globe. I know that I at least need to charge my cell phone, laptop, e-reader, camera batteries, and portable extra cell phone battery. Also bring extra extension cords and chargers.

· Bring copies of your passport and bring two extra passport photos.

In case you lose your passport overseas, having passport photos will facilitate and accelerate the process of acquiring another passport.

· Make sure that all of your devices work properly.

Twice, I discovered before an overseas trip that my camera was no longer working. I had to run out to my local electronics store at the last minute to buy another camera. For cameras, make sure you have extra SD cards so that you won't have a limit on the the number of photos and videos you can take.

· Pay your upcoming bills.

Also, you might even want to pay some bills in advance of next month. Use your discretion. Of course it depends on how long you will be away.

· Research and add international Telecom plan (phone, data, text, etc.).

Check with your telephone carrier to see what international plans are available that include phone, data, texting, and other services. Also, find out which countries are included in your plan. On one of my trips where I visited Baltic capitals, I discovered that Russia was not included in my data plan and I had been using data while there. I was required to negotiate a payment before they would reinstate my services (including free Wi-Fi access).

Plan to keep track of your data usage. Remember to reset your data counter on your smart phone before you leave town. I usually do this after boarding my last flight out of the United States.

· Notify your postal carrier that you will be away and of your travel dates.

Finally, write a to-do list for your return. Sometimes returning home after a long overseas trip can be overwhelming. If you have a list of important next steps, it will make your transition back home much easier to manage.

Here am I talking these points: (PS I have a small cold.)

Monday, September 7, 2015

Global Entry-I finally applied!

Today, I finally applied for global entry. What took me the longest in the application process was including all the countries I have visited in the last five years. The number is 41 and includes Egypt, Russia, Argentina, Sweden, united Arab emirates, and Panama. I'm looking forward to the next step which is a face-to-face interview. Hopefully after that, I will soon find out that I can zip through customs on the way back home when I travel abroad.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Tunisia Welcomes Back Tourists

Tunisia Welcomes Back Tourists

By Sarah Lynch of USA Today

TUNIS, Tunisia – Stationed throughout a cobblestone labyrinth in the capital's old quarter, shop owners await the revival of a tourism sector that sunk with the rise of a revolution.

The social and political freedoms Tunisians gained after the three-year-old ouster of a longtime dictator were worth the economic struggles, they say. Now, Tunisians are ready to welcome travelers back to their country.

"Tunisia is ready to bring tourism back," says Lasaad Essid, 54, hammering designs into a decorative plate. "And we'll even exceed what we used to achieve, seeing even more tourists than before the revolution."

With a vast coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia is celebrated for its beach resorts, ancient ruins and sprawling desert. UNESCO praises Dougga, an expansive site in the northern part of the country, as North Africa's best-preserved Africo-Roman town that shows what daily life was like for those who lived there in antiquity.

In January, Condé Nast Traveler called Tunisia the next big travel destination, celebrating the country for its optimistic atmosphere and open-mindedness. Society's tolerance for diversity in the majority Muslim country not only helped propel the country on a path toward full democracy over the last three years but also allows for a vibrant nightlife where booze flows freely and music keeps partygoers out through the morning's early hours.

Tunisia's tourism minister Amel Karboul says the country could see a record 7 million tourists visiting this year.

"I tell Western tourists, come to Tunisia, the first democracy in the Arab world, to share this historic moment and support a democratic transition and also enjoy its sun, beaches, desert and culture," Karboul recently told Reuters.

The tourism industry declined with the start of the Jasmine Revolution, which kicked off in late 2010 and ousted longtime leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. While the sector has since improved, it has yet to fully recover.

Many believe increasing political stability will bolster the industry, which employs 400,000 people, industry experts say, and accounts for 7.5% of gross domestic product. The country adopted a new and progressive constitution earlier this year and an Islamist-led government stepped down to make way for a caretaker cabinet. Elections expected to begin this fall will complete a democratic transition.

"With finalizing the constitution and with consensus among political groups, we are hoping for a more prosperous situation," says Borhene Ben Ghorbal, 43, who owns a tourist shop in the heart of the capital. "With the harmony happening around the country it's a good sign, a good push, but there are a lot of steps that still need to be taken."

In a volatile region, terrorism is a primary challenge facing the tourism industry. Some would-be visitors have been scared off by general unrest and militant attacks, and some Western nations continue to uphold travel warnings to citizens.

In a direct blow to the industry last fall, a suicide bomber struck a beach near a hotel in the tourist resort town of Sousse, underscoring the widespread militant violence that has plagued the nation since Ben Ali's 2011 ouster.

"The possibility of further attacks, including in the coastal resorts and desert areas cannot be ruled out," the United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns citizens in an online summary of travel advice.

"There is a general threat from terrorism, including kidnapping," it says, advising against travel to some areas in Tunisia's south and near the Libyan and Algerian borders.

Still, Mohamed Ali Toumi, head of a Tunisian federation of travel agents, says that he and others who work in the industry are confident that the government has made security gains since authorities launched a crackdown last year on militants.

"I look at the bright side," Ali Toumi says. "Tunisian security forces and the police are doing their best to destroy terrorism."

In early March, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki lifted a three-year-old state of emergency in what was perceived as a largely symbolic move to signal that security is improving.

And the U.S. State Department followed suit, recently lifting a travel warning for Tunisia that was in place since September 2012 following an attack on Tunis's U.S. embassy.

"After assessing the current situation in Tunisia, the Department of State determined that circumstances did not merit extending the Travel Warning for Tunisia," a March 28 message to U.S. citizens said.

Tunisia aims to draw more German, Russian and British visitors and attract more tourists from its traditional market, France, tourism minister Karboul told Reuters. There also is potential to attract Canadians and Chinese, Ali Toumi said. Syphax, a private Tunisian airline, intends to begin direct flights between Tunis and Montreal and possibly between New York and Tunis, he said.

"With this proper, calm atmosphere, we are ready to welcome tourists," says Marwan Ben Ghorbel, whose family owns a tourist shop. "Things are picking up and getting better but we are hoping for more improvements with the new government."

Industry experts say revival efforts will focus on developing cultural tourism and drawing visitors through big events such as music festivals.

Inside the market in the capital's old quarter, shop owner Essid is optimistic that with a little work, Tunisians can draw tourists back.

"We are brave enough to do what we want to do," Essid says. "We made a revolution and now we will get tourism back on its feet and make it strong again."

For help booking a trip to Tunisia, contact a travel agent specialist at Tripology.com.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/dispatches/2014/04/22/tunisia-tourism/7086801/

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Corsica-birthplace of Napolean

Calvi, Corsica France

Today, I enjoyed one of the most relaxing and peaceful days of the cruise in the small beautiful port of Calvi, Corsica. I ran into fellow cruisers throughout the day and the consensus was that this is a special place. After hustle and bustle of big cities such as Barcelona and Marseille, we welcomed this low-key, laid back visit.

Corsica coat of arms

I climbed up to the citadel that sits high above the harbor overlooking the immense Bay of Calvi and walked its ramparts Walking the ramparts is a great way to see the surrounding terrain and take some dramatic photos of the mountains, some high enough to have a snow dusting year round, and of the serene, turquoise sea below.

Next, I and descended the hill and strolled the warren of narrow streets filled with quaint shops and cafes (Some just opening for tourist season). At a foot of the ramparts, is the Quay Landry that features a lovely marina and a café lined promenade. I could have stayed longer soaking in the serenity.

Corsica, is a French island in the Mediterranean Sea, (off the southern coast of Both France and Italy), famous for its climate, mountains (2/3 of island), and coastlines making it popular among tourists for snorkeling and diving opportunities along with parasailing and paragliding. Calvi is a small port in a large bay on the northeastern section of Corsica. We arrived on land by tender.

It is most widely known as birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and the town of Calvi claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.

Corsica's culture contains both French and Italian elements, and its constitution while a Republic was written in Italian . Corsica is one of the few regions of France that retains its own language in everyday usage: Corsican, which is more closely related to Italian than to French.

Here are some photos that remind me of this peaceful day:

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Another Transatlantic Sailing With Visits to 6 Countries, Including Tunisia

I just booked another 25-day cruise that will take me from my home in South Florida across the Atlantic to Europe, with stops in Italy, Portugal, France, Spain, Monaco, and Tunisia. I will make first time Visits to Seville, The Cinque Terre, Corsica, Tunis, Nice, and I will revisit old favorites such as Barcelona and Palermo.

Of note, this trip will bring my nations-visited counted up to 69!

See Itinerary here:

DAY	DATE		PORT	ARRIVE	DEPART
Fri	Mar	21	Fort Lauderdale, FL		4:00pm
Sat	Mar	22	At Sea
Sun	Mar	23	At Sea
Mon	Mar	24	At Sea
Tue	Mar	25	At Sea
Wed	Mar	26	At Sea
Thu	Mar	27	At Sea
Fri	Mar	28	At Sea
Sat	Mar	29	Ponta Delgada, Portugal	8:00am	4:00pm
Sun	Mar	30	At Sea
Mon	Mar	31	At Sea
Tue	Apr	1	Cadiz, Spain	8:00am	6:00pm
Wed	Apr	2	Malaga, Spain	8:00am	6:00pm
Thu	Apr	3	Cartagena, Spain	7:00am	1:00pm
Fri	Apr	4	Barcelona, Spain	7:00am
Sat	Apr	5	Barcelona, Spain		11:00pm
Sun	Apr	6	At Sea
Mon	Apr	7	Marseille, France	8:00am	6:00pm
Tue	Apr	8	Monte Carlo, Monaco	8:00am	11:00pm
Wed	Apr	9	Calvi, Corsica, France	8:00am	5:00pm
Thu	Apr	10	Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy	7:00am	7:00pm
Fri	Apr	11	At Sea
Sat	Apr	12	La Goulette, Tunisia	8:00am	5:00pm
Sun	Apr	13	Palermo, Sicily, Italy	9:00am	5:00pm
Mon	Apr	14	Naples (Capri), Italy	8:00am	5:00pm
Tue	Apr	15	Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy	7:00am

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

When can you legally travel without a passport?

Who, what, why: When can you legally travel without a passport?

see this article by: By Tom Geoghegan of the BBC News Magazine, Washington

Fugitive Edward Snowden is hoping to get to Ecuador, despite not having a valid passport. So when can you legally travel without one?

The US state department has revoked Snowden's passport and asked other countries to prevent him from travelling.

Wanted on espionage charges, the American flew from Hong Kong to Moscow on 23 June - using his US passport, according to one of his lawyers - and has applied for asylum in Ecuador.

On Monday, a seat was booked in his name on a flight to Cuba, but he was not seen on board.

A passport is usually a condition of international travel, so under what circumstances can one travel without one?

According to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, Snowden has a "special refugee travel document" issued by Ecuador.

Millions of refugees cross borders without passports as they flee persecution or fighting.

In 2012, more than seven million people became refugees, according to the United Nations.

Without passports, people would be expected to present some other form of identification, says Larry Yungk, a UNHCR resettlement officer. Some refugees can be registered at a border with no identification at all.

The answer

Refugees cross borders with other forms of identification or none at all
The US issues 60,000 I-94 documents a year to refugees without passports
Consulates provide papers for people who have lost passports abroad
National ID cards are acceptable for travel between certain countries
The British Queen has no passport

"It's really up to the receiving country whether they wish to accept someone into their country without a passport," says Lavinia Limon, president and chief executive officer of the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

The US admits about 60,000 refugees a year from all over the world, she says, and only a handful have passports.

They are each interviewed overseas face-to-face by officials from the Department of Homeland Security to establish whether they are genuine refugees and meet admission criteria.

A document called an I-94 is issued in lieu of a passport and travel to the US is arranged for each one.

"Let's say we're taking people from Malaysia and they have to stop in Hong Kong before they can get to LA," she says. "Hong Kong recognises these are US travel documents and lets them through."

Other countries such as the UK and Canada issue similar documents, as does the International Red Cross.

If a particular state wants to allow someone to travel on a state-owned airline, they have the right to do that without even issuing papers, says extradition lawyer Douglas McNabb, if the receiving country agrees.

You can also travel without a passport if it is stolen or lost while abroad.

"You can hang around for days waiting for a new passport," says Simon Calder, travel editor of the Independent newspaper. "Or you can get on a plane with something from your consulate that says 'this person is OK, let him or her take a one-way flight to their destination.'

"But it's rare and any kind of document like that is a get-out-of-jail-free card - go straight to your destination and don't mess around."

There are also special relationships between countries that entitle their citizens to travel between them without a passport.

For example, US citizens can travel to US territories like Puerto Rico and Guam with approved photo ID.

Beyond that, Americans always need a passport to travel by air, although US and Canadian citizens can visit each other's countries with pre-approved Nexus cards.

There are some exceptions to the mandatory passport rule if American citizens are visiting other North American countries by land or sea, according to the US State Department website.

So if they are going to the Caribbean or Bermuda, for example, then a passport card, rather than the passport book, will be accepted. And an enhanced driving licence or military identification can also be sufficient.

The UK and the Republic of Ireland have formed the Common Travel Area, in which photo ID is usually sufficient for citizens of both countries. Immigration officers can ask for proof of nationality, so government advice is to carry one.

In 1995, 26 European countries formed the Schengen area of free travel without border controls. But passenger carriers such as airlines can still impose identity checks that may include a passport.

National identity cards are also accepted in place of passports for member countries of some regional alliances.

These include the Economic Community of West African States, the European Union and some neighbouring countries, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, and Mercosur in South America.

Not that Queen Elizabeth II has ever to worry about carrying one. As the person who officially issues them, she is the only Briton who is exempt.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Do you speak Touriste?

Apparently, Parisians are attempting to mend their nasty ways by adapting a friendly attitude toward their tourists. Where you thinking, "It’s about time?" See the attached article:

How to Be Nice to Tourists: A New Manual for Snooty Parisians

Do you speak Touriste?

By Mackenzie Yang June 24, 2013

Are the French finally feeling the pinch of their struggling economy and embracing the concept that “it pays to be nice”? Tourism offices in Paris–a city notorious for being unwelcoming to foreigners–are hoping to avoid losing tourists to friendlier destinations by distributing a handbook on being more courteous, reports Reuters.

Titled, ”Do you speak Touriste?”, the small pamphlet has friendly greetings in 8 languages, including Spanish, Italian and Chinese. It also offers suggestions to help locals better understand how visitors from various countries prefer to be addressed. “The British like to be called by their first names,” the guide explains, while Italians should be shaken by the hand, and Americans like to be reassured on prices. Regarding the Chinese, which Reuters describes as the fastest-growing group of visitors traveling to France’s capital, the guide describes them as “fervent shoppers” and advises that “a simple smile and hello in their language will fully satisfy them.”

Brazilians apparently pose a special challenge to a city known for exchanging the ultimate air kiss as a greeting. According to Reuters, the guide suggests offering to speak English to Brazilians — who are described as warm, “readily tactile” and keen on evening excursions — by telling them: “Nào falo Português mas posso informar Inglês.” (Rough translation: “I don’t speak Portuguese, but I can speak English.”)

With tourism supplying 1 in 10 jobs in the Paris area, 30,000 copies of the manual are currently being passed out to taxi drivers, waiters, hotel managers and sales people in areas ranging from the banks of the Seine river up to hilly Montmartre as well as in nearby Versailles and Fontainebleau, according to the report.