Safety & Security with Holbrook Travel

Holbrook Travel has been providing the highest degree of safety and security for our travelers since 1974. While no environment — at home or abroad — is ever completely risk free, our extensive experience, risk management standards, and precise safety protocols can provide a worry-free travel experience. Strict safety policies, personal inspections, and extensive guide training are just a few of the things we do to eliminate potential risk factors to travel.

Liability Coverage

Holbrook carries a $5 million Liability and Errors & Omissions policy. On request, we welcome qualifying organizations to be added to our policy for the duration of the trip.

Safety Precautions

Your well-being is of the utmost importance to us, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Our U.S. Office

  • We keep abreast of political and national developments in all destinations and exercise great caution in the interest of our travelers.
  • Before your departure, we’ll provide you with a list of emergency numbers within the country you’re visiting and the number for our 24-hour answering service.
  • If an emergency occurs at home during your program, family can contact our office, and we will contact you in-country.

Communications

  • Our emergency phone line has a member of our staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • All accommodations have a telephone or other means of communication on the premises.
  • All leaders, guides and/or drivers have a cell phone or radio device for emergencies.
  • Internet is widely available in most destinations.

Our Guides

  • In the unlikely event of an emergency, our in-country guides are professionally trained and adhere to strict guidelines.
  • Guides are fluent in English and bilingual in foreign-language countries.
  • Guides are trained and licensed.
  • All guides attend annual training programs.

Accommodations

  • All hotels are regularly inspected by our team.
  • All hotels and lodges have plans for:
    • Safety and security
    • Incident management
    • Guest communications
    • Visitor policies
    • Medical procedures

Transportation

  • Our drivers are fully licensed and insured, experienced, and highly knowledgeable of the areas visited.
  • Vehicles are inspected regularly and meet or surpass local safety standards.
  • In most cases, transfers are private.
  • Transfers are always scheduled during daylight hours.

Boats

  • Boat crews have mandatory safety drills.
  • All vessels must meet or surpass local certification requirements.
  • Live-aboard vessels have regular marine safety inspections with a formal inspection checklist.
  • Snorkeling safety standards are in place.

General Safety Tips

Staying healthy

  • Wash hands often with soap and water.
  • Use hand wipes or waterless anti-bacterial gel frequently.
  • Protect yourself from mosquito bites and sunburn.
  • Keep feet clean, dry, and protected to prevent fungal and parasitic infections.
  • Bring a copy of your prescriptions and keep it with your carry-on luggage.
  • If you get diarrhea, drink bottled water and stick to a bland diet.
  • Drink plenty of bottled water during your flights and trip. Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of fatigue and jet lag.
  • Do not drink or brush your teeth with anything other than bottled water.
  • Holbrook has implemented specific policies and procedures in the event a traveler develops symptoms of a respiratory illness in the field. You can view our protocols here.

Traveling with diabetes

  • Bring a letter from your doctor stating the supplies you will be carrying.
  • Bring hard candy or glucose tablets in your carry-on luggage and during long activities.
  • Bring a blood sugar testing meter and plenty of testing strips and batteries.
  • If you are insulin dependent:
  • Bring more than one bottle of insulin.
  • If you are on a pump, bring extra supplies such as batteries, reservoirs, and infusion sets as they might be difficult to find.
  • Bring syringes as a back-up method to deliver insulin if your pump malfunctions.
  • Bring a cooling packet to help protect insulin from getting too warm. The Frio cooler is small, lightweight, and easy to use.

Avoiding theft

  • Leave expensive jewelry and watches at home.
  • Keep all valuables in a money belt that you can hide under your clothes.
  • Make copies of all documentation and keep it separate from the originals.
  • Carry a small amount of cash in an accessible pocket rather than accessing your money belt while shopping.
  • Bring important items (passport, wallet, etc.) with you or leave them locked in a safe. Don't leave these items in your room.