Traveling Through Recession

After everything was said and done in 2008, the outlook for the coming financial quarters was very bleak. With companies going bankrupt left and right and employees getting laid off in the hundreds of thousands, it's no surprise that analysts expect spending to slow down in the coming year.

Spending on unnecessary goods and services is still expected to decline even further. This trend has so far driven even big companies like General Motors into dire financial straits. The travel and airline industry has also so taken a very big hit of late, as made apparent by the numerous cost-cutting measures companies are using. But just because the economy isn't doing so well doesn't mean that you have to cancel all your plans to travel.

Questions at the Starting Line

Yes, it is possible to have something as seemingly unnecessary and frivolous as travel in this ailing economy. After all, just because the stock markets crashed and the banking system is in a tizzy doesn't mean that you're left completely penniless. It's just that you now have to face additional financial realities, and then somehow get around each one. Here are some questions you may want to address before finalizing your travel plans.

Do you have debts? This is a very important question, especially if you joined in the nationwide, credit card-fueled spending spree of the last several years. Pay your debts before booking your flights. Traveling with an already considerable debt to the banks will just add to that debt and increase your interest payments. Isn't paying for that debt already hard enough as it is?

Do you have financial security? Addressing this question means you'll have to look at your balance in the bank and assess your current employment. Do you have enough to support yourself for a month, if need be? Do you have the security that your job will remain yours, at least for the next few years? You need to be able to answer affirmatively to both questions before traveling becomes a sensible option for you.

Never, ever travel without first having a financial safety net like insurance or funds in the bank stored up. Not only is traveling a costly pastime, but it's downright dangerous to find yourself in a compromising situation in a foreign land without a cent to your name.

The Power of Planning

Don't ever underestimate the power of planning and acting ahead. While many other travelers pooh-pooh at or underestimate the process of planning trips, it's actually the best and surest way for you to reduce expenses and optimize your cash. Planning and booking ahead, for example, will get you much lower rates for airfare than if you were to get a ticket tonight for a plane that leaves tomorrow.

Hotels and other accommodations typically work the same way. Reserving and making arrangements several weeks beforehand could get you bigger discounts or better amenities, especially if you negotiated with the management. Early action will save you oodles of money at every step of the way and in every leg of the trip.

An economy going through a recession doesn't necessarily make travel impossible. If anything, it only makes travel a little more difficult. But if you're confident about your finances and meticulous about your travel preparations, then the downward economy shouldn't stop you from taking to the sky.

Medical Travel - Precautions You Need to Take

There are fewer regulations, regarding health in India, applicable to foreign tourists. These regulations are more of the nature of prevention than anything else.

* WHO website for International Travellers.

* WHO India

Yellow Fever

Any person (including infants) arriving by air or sea without a certificate can be detained in isolation for a period up to 6 days if arriving within six days of departing from an infected area or has been in such an area in transit, or has come by aircraft which has been in an infected area and has not been disinfected in accordance with Indian Aircraft (Public Health) Rules, or those recommended by WHO. Various countries in Central and South America and Africa are regarded as being infected, enquire at the concerned Indian Mission for an up to date list. When a case of yellow fever is reported from any country, that country is regarded by Government of India as infected with yellow fever and is added to the above list.

Malaria

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country excluding parts of the states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim. No certificate is required, but a course of anti malaria pills is recommended for all travellers to India.

Protect yourself from insects by remaining in well-screened areas, using repellents (applied sparingly at 4 hour intervals), and wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants from dusk through dawn.

Cholera

Travelers proceeding to countries that impose restrictions for arrivals from India or from an infected area in India on account of cholera are required to possess a certificate. In any case, an inoculation against cholera is recommended.

General Tips

* Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an “absolute 1 micron or less” filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. “Absolute 1 micron filters” are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.

* Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Some of the better known brands are Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Fina, Himalaya etc. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact.

* Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road side stalls. Eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.

* Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to India) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.

* If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Do not venture out in the mid day sun.

* Pharmacies or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low(less than a dollar) compared to western countries.

Health Kit

In India, most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise to travel with a reserve stock. If any prescription drugs are required, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedy for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant cream, suntan/uv lotion, etc.

Caution: This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers to this region. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions.