WHO IS TAKING ALL YOUR DETAILS?
When booking accommodation, rather than just leave your private details such as credit card numbers with anyone on the end of the phone, take the name of the person you are speaking to, as well as a booking ID number – where possible, get e-mail confirmations sent to you.
ARE THEY LEGIT?
Ask them – is their accommodation business an accredited, government licensed operator and part of a backpackers operators association or other accommodation industry body?
WHERE ARE THEY?
What is their physical business address and landline number? This is important, as there are many illegal accommodation operators out there. Finding out the physical address is important should you need pass details of your whereabouts onto family and friends – it ’s also good to know to ideally recommend to friends after the experience.
ACCOMMODATION SAFETY
Be aware of safety standards in your chosen accommodation. For example, is your door secure? Are there fire alarms and accessible fire escapes? And remember to avoid rooms with easy access from the outside.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
With dormitory accommodation, find out how many people to a room and ask if the dorms are unisex or single sex. Ask about twin rooms and double rooms, if you can get one, and if there is an additional change. Some accommodation providers are set up for breakfast – if you don’t ask, you won’t find out.
KEEP IN TOUCH
The more people who know about your movements, the better protected you will be. Make sure your family and friends know where you are and who you are with. Make sure there’s a contact number at your chosen accommodation in case they want to contact you.
Image credit: Thinkstock
WHO IS TAKING ALL YOUR DETAILS?
When booking accommodation, rather than just leave your private details such as credit card numbers with anyone on the end of the phone, take the name of the person you are speaking to, as well as a booking ID number – where possible, get e-mail confirmations sent to you.
ARE THEY LEGIT?
Ask them – is their accommodation business an accredited, government licensed operator and part of a backpackers operators association or other accommodation industry body?
Find out. If not, you could well get the fright of your life on arrival!
WHERE ARE THEY?
What is their physical business address and landline number. This is important as there are many illegal accommodation operators out there. Finding out the physical address is important should you need pass details of your whereabouts onto family and friends – it ’s also good to know to ideally recommend to friends after the experience.
ACCOMMODATION SAFETY
Be aware of safety standards in your chosen accommodation. For example, is your door secure? Are there fire alarms and accessible fire escapes? And remember to avoid rooms with easy access from the outside.
WHAT ’S INCLUDED?
With dormitory accommodation, find out how many people to a room and are the dorms unisex or single sex? Ask about twin rooms and double rooms, if you can get one and is there an additional change. Some accommodation providers are set up for breakfast – find out what’s included and if there use of kitchen equipment.
KEEP IN TOUCH
The more people who know about your movements, the better protected you will be. Make sure your family and friends know where you are and who you are with. Make sure there’s a contact number at your chosen accommodation in case they want to contact you.
