Our Commitment to Your Safety
Every trip we design is built around one straightforward priority: getting you there, looking after you while you are there, and bringing you home well. We do everything within our power to make that happen.
We work exclusively with hotels, guides, drivers, activity operators and destination partners who meet our standards. Before any supplier is included in an Elite Global Concierge itinerary, we assess their safety record, operating licenses, emergency procedures and local reputation. That vetting continues after you book — if conditions at a destination change, we act on it.
At the same time, travel — especially to remote regions, diverse cultures and active destinations — carries an element of personal responsibility that no travel company can remove entirely. Standards of infrastructure, hygiene, road use and safety equipment vary considerably around the world, and many of the places worth visiting operate differently from what you may be used to at home. The guidance on this page is designed to help you travel confidently, enjoy every moment, and make good decisions on the ground.
Please read it before you travel. If anything is unclear, your Dedicated Travel Concierge is always available to talk it through.
Before You Travel
The single most useful thing you can do before any international trip is to check the current travel advisory for every country on your itinerary. Conditions change — political situations, natural events, disease outbreaks and extreme weather can all affect a destination quickly. Our team monitors these closely, but you should check for yourself close to departure.
Travel advisories
- U.S. Department of State — travel.state.gov publishes four-level advisories (Exercise Normal Caution / Exercise Increased Caution / Reconsider Travel / Do Not Travel) for every country, plus entry requirements, emergency contact numbers for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, and local laws to be aware of.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel publishes destination health notices, vaccine recommendations and outbreak alerts.
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) — step.state.gov lets you register your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy so they can reach you in an emergency and pass on timely alerts.
Passports and entry documents
- Check that every traveler’s passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date and has sufficient blank pages for stamps.
- Entry requirements — visas, electronic travel authorizations, arrival fees — differ by nationality and destination and change without much notice. Verify yours with the relevant embassy or consulate, not only with us.
- Airlines may deny boarding to anyone whose documents do not meet the entry requirements of their destination. Check before you go.
- Always carry a photocopy or digital scan of your passport, stored separately from the original.
Local laws and customs
Laws that may seem minor at home — on dress codes, photography, public behavior, alcohol or controlled substances — can carry serious consequences in other countries. Your Dedicated Travel Concierge will highlight anything significant for your specific itinerary, and we encourage you to read the State Department’s country pages for the full picture.
Health and Vaccinations
Health requirements vary enormously by destination. What is optional for a city trip in Europe can be essential for a safari in East Africa or a trek in South Asia. Start health planning early — some vaccine courses take several weeks to complete, and some antimalarial regimes begin before departure.
See a travel health specialist
We recommend booking an appointment with your doctor or a dedicated travel health clinic at least six to eight weeks before departure. Bring your full itinerary, including every country and region you will visit, so they can give you the most accurate advice. They will review your vaccination history, recommend any boosters or new vaccines, and advise on preventive medication where relevant.
Key health resources
- CDC Travelers’ Health — wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel is the most comprehensive U.S. resource for destination-specific vaccine recommendations, disease risks and current health notices.
- World Health Organization — who.int publishes global disease outbreak news and international travel health guidance.
- Travel Health Pro — travelhealthpro.org.uk is the UK National Travel Health Network and Centre, useful for detailed destination profiles.
On the road: everyday health
- Food and water safety differs by country. In many destinations, stick to bottled water with a sealed cap, avoid ice in drinks unless you know the water source, and choose food that is freshly cooked and served hot.
- Wash hands regularly, especially before eating and after using public transport or touching shared surfaces.
- Sun protection matters at all latitudes. Use a sunscreen appropriate for your skin type, reapply every couple of hours and through the hottest part of the day, cover up and drink water regularly to stay hydrated.
- If you take regular prescription medication, carry enough for your full trip plus a few days extra, keep it in your hand luggage, and bring a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor in case of questions at customs.
Medical conditions and special requirements
If you or anyone in your party has a medical condition, reduced mobility, a serious allergy or any other health consideration that could affect your travel, please tell your Dedicated Travel Concierge before you book. This lets us check that your itinerary is suitable, brief the right suppliers, and build in whatever practical support you need.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not optional for the trips we plan — it is essential. We strongly recommend that every traveler in your party purchases a comprehensive policy at the time of booking, not as an afterthought close to departure.
Why it matters so much
An emergency medical evacuation from a remote safari destination, a polar region or a high-altitude trek can cost tens of thousands of dollars — sometimes more than the entire trip. Without adequate insurance, those costs fall entirely on you. Cancellation charges under our Booking Terms and Conditions can also be significant, and only insurance can cover them when life intervenes.
What your policy should cover
Look carefully at the policy terms and make sure it includes:
- Trip cancellation and interruption — covering the full value of your trip, including non-refundable deposits and supplier charges
- Emergency medical treatment — with a high enough limit for the destinations you are visiting
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation — this is the single most expensive risk for travelers in remote areas, so the limit should be generous
- Baggage and personal belongings — check per-item limits, as standard policies often have low single-article limits
- Travel delay — covering additional accommodation, meals and rebooking costs
- Activities — if your trip includes anything active (safaris, diving, trekking, horse riding, small aircraft), confirm the policy covers it; many standard policies exclude adventure sports
- Pre-existing medical conditions — declare them fully; failing to do so can invalidate a claim
Buying your policy
Purchase your policy as soon as you pay your deposit, so the cancellation cover starts immediately. If you wait until just before travel, you lose that protection for the weeks in between. Your Dedicated Travel Concierge can recommend insurers who understand the type of travel we arrange, but the policy contract is between you and the insurer, and any claim goes directly to them. See our Travel Protection & Insurance guidance for recommended providers.
Our Guardian Angel Team and On-the-Ground Support
Once you are traveling, you are never on your own. Our Guardian Angel team is available around the clock, every day of the year. Their number is in your travel documents. If something goes wrong — a missed connection, a health concern, a change in local conditions, a hotel issue — call them. That is exactly what they are there for.
What to do in an emergency
- Ensure the safety of everyone in your party first.
- Call our Guardian Angel emergency line and your first on-the-ground point of contact, using the contact information shared in your final trip documents.
- Contact the local emergency services for medical, fire or police assistance — numbers vary by country and are listed in your travel documents.
- If you need hospital treatment, inform both your insurance company and our team as soon as the immediate situation is stable.
- Keep records of everything: names, reference numbers, receipts and any reports issued by local authorities. These will be needed for any insurance claim.
Keep us informed
We monitor conditions at your destinations throughout your trip. If anything changes that could affect your safety or itinerary, we will contact you. In return, please let us or your local representative know if you change your plans, extend your stay in one place, or decide to do something not on your itinerary. This matters most in remote or off-grid destinations.
Local representatives and guides
Most of our itineraries include a local representative or guide at each destination who knows the area, speaks the language and is your first point of contact on the ground. Listen to their advice — they understand local conditions, roads, weather patterns and safety considerations better than anyone.
Keeping your contacts accessible
Save the following numbers in your phone before you travel:
- Elite Global Concierge Guardian Angel line (listed in your final travel documents)
- Your travel insurance 24-hour emergency number
- The nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at each destination
- Your local representative in each location (listed in your documents)
In Your Accommodation and Around the Destination
Most of the safety guidance below applies to any destination and any style of travel. Read it once before you go and keep it in mind throughout your trip.
Fire safety
On your first evening in any property, locate the nearest fire exit from your room — there may be more than one route. Note where the fire alarm call points and nearest extinguisher are. Read the evacuation instructions in your room. If a fire alarm sounds, leave immediately without stopping for belongings, make your way to the assembly point and wait for an all-clear from staff.
Balconies, pools and water
Do not sit, stand or climb on balcony railings or walls. Keep balcony furniture away from railings, and supervise children on balconies at all times. At swimming pools, read the depth markings before entering and observe any no-diving signs. Do not swim alone at night, or after drinking alcohol or a heavy meal. Take additional care around pools when children are present — even when a lifeguard is on duty.
Road and transport safety
Traffic travels on the opposite side of the road in many countries. Look both ways before crossing every road, even at pedestrian crossings where drivers may not stop automatically. In any vehicle — whether a private transfer, a minibus or an overland truck — wear a seat belt if one is fitted, stay seated while the vehicle is moving, and keep luggage out of aisles and footwells. Follow all instructions from your driver or guide.
Personal safety
Avoid poorly lit streets, especially at night. Keep cash and valuables to a minimum when you are out, and use the in-room safe or reception safe deposit box for passports, extra cash and important documents. Keep your room locked and windows and balcony doors secured when you are not in the room. Avoid drawing attention to expensive jewellery, cameras or electronic devices in busy public areas. Use your instincts — if a situation does not feel right, leave it.
Electricity, gas and carbon monoxide
Use only the correct adapter for the country you are in. Do not overload sockets, and check that plugs and appliances look in good order before use. If your accommodation has a wood-burning stove, gas appliance or any fuel-burning heater, ensure there is adequate ventilation and a working carbon monoxide detector nearby. If the alarm sounds or you smell gas, leave the room immediately, leave the building and alert staff.
Sun, heat and altitude
In sunny destinations, apply sunscreen — appropriate for your skin type — before going outside, and reapply regularly, especially after swimming. Stay hydrated, limit sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day (typically 11am–3pm), and wear a hat and sunglasses. If you are traveling to high-altitude destinations such as the Andes, the Himalayas or the Ethiopian Highlands, discuss altitude acclimatization with your doctor before departure. Your itinerary will be paced to allow adjustment time, but you should notify us of any history of altitude sickness.
Traveling Responsibly
The destinations we visit are not just backdrops for beautiful trips. They are living communities, fragile ecosystems and, for the people who live there, home. How we all behave as visitors has a real impact on those places and the people who depend on them.
Respect local culture and laws
Dress codes, public behavior, religious customs and social norms differ widely, and what is entirely normal at home may be considered disrespectful or illegal elsewhere. Your Dedicated Travel Concierge will brief you on the most important customs for your destinations. When in doubt, watch how locals behave and follow their lead. Learning even a few words of the local language — greetings, please, thank you — is always appreciated.
Wildlife and nature
Maintain the distances from wildlife that your guide specifies. These exist for your safety and for the welfare of the animals. Never feed wildlife, regardless of how tame or friendly they appear. Do not purchase souvenirs made from protected species (ivory, shells of protected marine animals, certain corals, big cat products) — doing so is often illegal and always harmful. Leave natural sites as you find them: do not remove plants, rocks, shells or artifacts.
Environmental responsibility
Use hotel linen and towel programs as intended. Carry a reusable water bottle where tap water is safe to drink, or use filtered water options where available, to reduce single-use plastic. Be thoughtful about water use in destinations that experience scarcity. Dispose of waste responsibly, including in areas where local infrastructure is limited. When choosing optional activities not arranged by us, look for operators with clear environmental commitments.
Photography and privacy
Always ask before photographing individuals, especially in indigenous communities, at religious sites and in private spaces. Some sites restrict photography entirely — your guide will advise you. Sharing images on social media is part of how many travelers record their experiences; just be mindful of what identifies individuals who have not consented to being shared publicly.
Key Resources and Contacts
Bookmark or save these before you travel. They are the most reliable sources of current information and the numbers you will need if something goes wrong.
Government and health resources
- U.S. Department of State travel advisories — travel.state.gov
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) — step.state.gov (register your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travelers’ health — wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
- World Health Organization — who.int
- U.S. passport information — travel.state.gov/passport
- TSA (airport security guidance) — tsa.gov
In a medical emergency abroad
- Call local emergency services — your travel documents list the number for each destination
- Call your travel insurer’s 24-hour emergency line — this number is on your policy documents
- Call our Guardian Angel team using the point-of-contact information shared in your final documents.