SecurAssist

This is not to say, however, that travelers should ignore or downplay security issues when they travel to 'safer' destinations. In fact, there are many safer destinations that are dealing with serious crime, security or personal safety issues, even as thousands or even millions of travelers continue to explore them. Today we profile five such destinations - some of which may even surprise SecurAssist customers.

Jamaica
When most of us think of Jamaica, we envision all-inclusive resorts with pristine beaches and plenty of sunshine. But when travelers step off of these resorts, they should be aware that Jamaica experiences considerable levels of violence and crime – especially in the capital, Kingston, and in cities like Montego Bay. Gang violence, murders, shootings and robberies are prevalent in certain areas. While tourists are usually not targeted in violent crimes, they should still be proactive in identifying areas and neighborhoods to avoid. Travelers should also be careful with money and other valuables: the US State Department reports that the primary criminal concern for visitors to Jamaica is becoming a victim of theft.

Brazil
Eco-tourism, beaches, passionate soccer fans, Rio de Janeiro – these are the things that have established Brazil as a premiere tourist destination. The country's emergence as an economic player in South America should also lead to an increase in the amount of business travelers that Brazil hosts in the coming years. But visitors to Brazil should be aware that, like Jamaica, crime is a serious issue in many cities, and spreading into some rural areas as well. The country's murder rate is four times higher than the murder rate in the United States and the criminal rate for Sao Paulo, for instance, is rated critical by the US Department of State. Travelers should also be aware that muggings, robberies, car-jackings and “express” kidnappings are frequently reported in urban areas. While most visitors will enjoy rewarding stays in Brazil, vigilance is essential for anyone who planning to travel there in the near future.

South Africa
In 2010, millions of soccer fans will descend upon South Africa for the FIFA World Cup, which will be played in stadiums in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban and five other cities. Still more visitors arrive in South Africa every year to explore its wonders and soak in its natural beauty. Violence has been a challenge for the country, however, as its crime levels are some of the highest in the world. In addition to murders, assaults and car-jackings, robbery is a serious concern for visitors to South Africa. Criminals have been known to follow shoppers home from malls and stores to rob them at gunpoint. They frequently target ATM users for muggings and have even targeted ATMs themselves in recent years. The country reported that criminals destroyed over 500 ATMs in 2008 by blowing them up with commercial explosives.

China
China has always been relatively safe for tourists and business travelers. This may be slowly changing, however, as the global financial crisis leads to increased instances of protests, workplace assaults and general economic unrest. In terms of theft and fraud, Chinese officials have also reported several incidents that could impact even the savviest of travelers: counterfeit money and visa production, travel scams, and sophisticated schemes to steal credit card information have all been uncovered in recent weeks.

The Baltics
One wouldn’t normally see many European countries on a ‘Most Dangerous’ list, and the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia don’t fit that profile either. However, travelers should be aware that the Baltic countries have been ranked the most dangerous roads in all of Europe. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are ranked first, second and third in Europe, respectively, in the number of annual traffic deaths per million residents. Lithuania sees 223 deaths per million residents, while Latvia experiences 177.4 and Estonian 151.7. Anyone traveling by bus or car through these countries should keep this in mind and practice defensive driving techniques.