France is expecting 15
million visitors to Paris and other areas of the country that are hosting the 2024
Olympic games.?
And while the mood is celebratory
as France and most of the world wait patiently in anticipation of the Summer
Games, theres plenty to be cautious about, too. Top concerns include petty
crime, bed bugs, traffic, labor strikes and terrorism.
Are these issues realistic?
Perhaps. Are they worth preparing for or at least familiarizing yourself with?
Lets take a closer look.
Petty Crime and Scams
Travelers are often concerned
about falling victim to scams and fraud while visiting a foreign country. Criminals
may take advantage of the influx of tourists during the Olympics to engage in
fraudulent activities such as fake ticket sales, pickpocketing, or identity
theft.?
Blending in will be difficult
for Olympic spectators from other countries, but they can tone down the typical tourist look, avoid known crime areas and be
more aware of others around them.
Looking and acting like a tourist can produce assumptions that you are
inexperienced, naive, lacking cultural awareness, and wealthy.?
Traffic, Traffic, Traffic
Travelers attending the
Olympics who are concerned about transportation will likely experience
challenges. Navigating crowded public transportation systems, dealing with
traffic congestion, and ensuring timely arrival at event venues can be
stressful for visitors. Language barriers and unfamiliarity with the local
transportation infrastructure can add to these headaches.
The Olympics will test the
famous Paris underground metro system, partly due to staffing shortages but
also managing the peaks in demand as fans enter and leave stadium events. The
Paris bus system makes stops everywhere, and the buses are numbered to represent
the lines they travel. Travelers will need to know their destination to
determine the bus line required.
Driving around Paris will be dicey due to
planned road closures, especially near landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower,
Champ-de-Mars, Trocadero and others. Use only authorized taxis since there has
been an increase in fakes and drivers looking to take advantage of travelers.
Labor Strikes
Labor strikes, public
transportation worker disruptions, political unrest and protests are all
potential concerns for travelers visiting France this summer, whether they're
attending the Olympics or not. Civil unrest, demonstrations, or worker
walk-outs can disrupt local services, transportation and public safety.
Travelers may get caught in the middle of a volatile situation or face travel
disruptions due to labor strikes or political instability.?
Bedbugs
In France, like in other countries, bedbug infestations can occur
in places with a high turnover of people and frequent travel, such as hotels
and accommodations popular with tourists. By following a few rules, travelers
can take precautions and reduce the risk of encountering bedbugs.
First, inspect the bed and surrounding area for signs of bedbugs,
such as dark spots on the mattress or bed frame. Next, keep luggage off the bed
and elevate it on a luggage rack or stand. Third, wash clothes in hot water and
dry them on high heat after returning from a trip. Finally, use protective
mattress covers and keep your belongings organized to reduce hiding spots for
bedbugs.
While bedbugs can be a
concern in France, using preventive measures and staying vigilant can help
travelers minimize the risk of encountering these pests during their stay.
Terrorism
One of the biggest traveler
dangers and fears for any major international event like the Summer Olympics is
safety and security. With the threat of terrorism looming globally, there is a
significant concern for the safety of both athletes and spectators. France has
experienced terror attacks in recent years, which raises the fear of a
potential security incident during the Olympics. French officials are not
relying solely on their security forces to prevent terror attacks. Officials
have contacted foreign allies to send several thousand members of their
security forces to help.
While there have been terrorist attacks in
France, prevention at the Olympics is an international effort, and France has
good counter-terrorist capability. It is working with multi-national task
forces that have been preparing for years to keep the Olympics safe from attack.
Travel Protection
Whether traveling to the Olympics in France, a music festival in
Brazil, or any other major event in an unfamiliar destination, you should hope
for the best travel scenario but prepare for the unexpected by purchasing a
travel protection membership and travel insurance.
The two services fulfill different travel needs. Travel insurance
is designed to provide financial reimbursement for trip interruptions and
medical insurance coverage. A travel protection membership, like Global Rescue,
provides emergency field rescue, medical evacuation and transport, and medical
advisory services at no additional cost.
Harding Bush is a former Navy SEAL and
associate director for security operations at Global Rescue, the world's
leading medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services
provider. Bush is an expert in procedures for high-risk travel, cultural
awareness, crisis preparedness and operational planning.?
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