THE tourism industry is getting back in business after the pandemic. To make sure your next trip goes smoothly, we decided to run down some of the administrative hoops you'll need to jump through in order to avoid a vacation nightmare. Because there's more to travel than complying with COVID-19 vaccination requirements and taking mandatory PCR or antigen tests.
Passport
While border restrictions are gradually being lifted, this is no time to forget the travel admin basics that existed long before the pandemic, starting with your passport. While having one is essential, checking its validity is another travel must that's sometimes overlooked.
Not only do you have to be sure that your passport is still valid after spending so many months grounded, but you also have to check that it will still be valid when you return, especially if you're traveling to certain countries.
Australia, Egypt and the Maldives, for example, require passports be valid for six months after your return date, to avoid the document expiring during your trip.
Insurance
Insurance is an expense that you might have liked to skip in order to boost your vacation spending money. But, in light of the pandemic, more and more countries require travelers to have medical coverage in case they run into a problem.
Only a few destinations, such as Algeria or China, used to require this kind of measure in pre-pandemic days.
Now, many countries are following this example, like Mauritius, Argentina or Singapore. However, grabbing yourself any old insurance isn't enough. It's important to check the conditions of coverage required by each destination.
For example, the Philippines requires insurance including coverage for covid-19 with a minimum amount of $35,000. For Thailand, medical coverage must be at least $50,000.
The Jordanian authorities require a certificate of international health insurance written in English. In the Sultanate of Oman, meanwhile, travelers will need proof of travel insurance covering at least 30 days of covid-19 treatment.
To be sure you've got things right, it's best to check the full details of any entry requirements on the official government or embassy website for your planned destination.
Credit card (for car rental)
If you're planning to rent a car abroad -- including in Europe -- it's best to check the type of bank card required by the car rental company. In fact, many require a "credit" card rather than a mere "debit" card.
Getting it wrong could see you refused the keys to your rental car, or having to pay extra. Look at your payment card and check if it says "credit" or "debit," or check with your bank.
And while we're on the subject of driving, you'll need to check whether your driver's license is valid in the country you're visiting. Remember that, if you're visiting the United States, regulations can differ in each state.
Mandatory or recommended vaccinations (other than COVID-19)
The shockwaves caused by COVID-19 shouldn't make travelers forget that some countries require vaccination against specific diseases. And that was the case well before the pandemic.
Some countries, especially in Africa, require the presentation of an international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever, even if you're only transiting through an airport. This is the case in Benin, for example. Other vaccines can be strongly recommended for travel.
For example, it's usually recommended to get vaccinated for hepatitis B and/or Japanese encephalitis before heading to Thailand.
Again, this kind of information should be available on the relevant government or embassy websites. In any case, it's strongly advised to make sure all your regular vaccinations are up-to-date before packing your bags.
ETX Studio
Fri Feb 18 2022
A OVID-19 vaccination certificate isn't the only administrative document that needs to be up to date with before your travel. - ETX Studio
Misi teroka peluang ekonomi, tarik pelaburan baharu di WEF - PM
Delegasi Malaysia akan berkongsi dasar dan hala tuju negara di samping mempertegas pendirian negara dalam isu geopolitik serantau di hadapan pemimpin dunia.
JBPM Terengganu berdepan kesukaran padam kebakaran
JBPM Terengganu menghadapi kesukaran memadamkan kebakaran di Kampung Sungai Ikan Kuala Nerus yang melibatkan lebih 75% tapak pelupusan sampah
Polis jangka laporan baharu selepas berkas guru tahfiz
Polis Kelantan menjangkakan lebih banyak laporan polis berkenaan pencabulan di sebuah pusat tahfiz di Machang selepas penahanan seorang guru.
Polis Jerman rampas 4 kereta Bugatti Veyron edisi terhad yang dikaitkan dengan 1MDB
Kenderaan berkenaan dikatakan sebahagian daripada siri "Legenda" khas Bugatti Veyron, dengan hanya 18 daripada supercar tersebut dibina dalam enam spesifikasi.
Gempa kuat 6.5 skala Richter gegar Garut, impak dirasai hingga Jakarta
Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi dan Geofisika (BMKG) Indonesia merekodkan gempa berkekuatan 6.5 skala Richter pada malam Sabtu.
EPL: Jika saya bercakap akan berlaku pergaduhan - Salah
Salah sangat tegang dengan Klopp ketika dia bersedia untuk masuk sebagai pemain gantian pada minit ke-79.
Rumah Najib boleh jadi penjara - Peguam
Rumah bekas Perdana Menteri itu boleh dijadikan sebagai penjara dan tempat tahanan untuk beliau seperti yang termaktub dalam undang-undang.
Kopi, kanvas seni Tyler Wong
Kopi ialah kanvas untuk Tyler Wong mempamerkan kemahiran dalam mencipta seni latte yang rumit namun indah.
Mayat tanpa identiti ditemukan terapung di Sungai Linggi
Mayat dipercayai seorang lelaki ditemukan terapung di kawasan Sungai Linggi berhampiran Pusat Dakwah Islamiah Paroi, di sini petang Sabtu.
AWANI Ringkas: Lawatan sempena mesyuarat khas WEF
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Landskap, sejarah dan menu lazat: Ini lapan tempat wajib dikunjungi di Ipoh
Ipoh, Perak merupakan bandar raya penuh sejarah yang menawarkan aktiviti dan lokasi tumpuan pelancongan unik tersendiri.
Desaru Coast, diiktiraf antara 100 destinasi terbaik di dunia untuk pelancong
Desaru Coast yang terletak di Johor diiktiraf sebagai salah satu daripada 100 Destinasi Terbaik Dunia 2021 oleh Time Magazine.
5 lapangan golf Malaysia tersenarai dalam kelompok 100 terbaik Asia
Antara kriteria penarafan itu ialah kesukaran melakukan pukulan, halangan untuk melakukan pukulan, kepelbagaian reka bentuk lapangan dan suasana di lapangan.
WTCKL diiktiraf International Business Review ASEAN Awards
Irmohizam menzahirkan ucapan jutaan terima kasih kepada The International Business Review atas pengiktirafan berkenaan.
Peruntukan tambahan amat diperlukan untuk pulih pelancongan Sabah - Masidi
Proses pemulihan sektor itu memerlukan masa yang panjang dan peruntukan yang lebih besar.
Realiti Rakyat: Fasa pemulihan industri pelancongan di Kelantan dijangka lebih cepat
Kelantan muncul sebagai negeri yang menerima paling ramai pelancong dalam tempoh pasca Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan Bersyarat (PKPB).
Pengarah syarikat pengiklanan didakwa kemuka dokumen palsu dapatkan tender Tourism Malaysia
Tertuduh Ibrahim Omar membuat pengakuan itu selepas kesemua pertuduhan dibacakan terhadapnya di hadapan Hakim Azman Ahmad dan Hakim Azura Alwi.
Belum yakin melancong? Cuba secara maya dahulu
Inovasi pelancongan maya antara kemudahan dunia digital yang dapat membantu dalam membuat pilihan destinasi pelancongan.
Podcast Realiti Rakyat: Penjanaan semula industri pelancongan negara
Paparan realiti kehidupan rakyat berdepan dengan normal baharu kehidupan ketika menghadapi pandemik COVID-19.
Insentif pemandu pelancong Johor cerminan keprihatinan kerajaan negeri
Pandemik COVID-19 telah melumpuhkan sektor pelancongan global dan Malaysia juga tidak terkecuali.