Tourism and Playa del Carmen Real Estate to get boost - President launches "Vive Mexico"

A key factor in Mexico Real Estate, especially a market like that of Playa del Carmen, is the strength of tourism in the area. For this very reason, contrary to what one might think, now is the IDEAL time to buy here; because of the international recession and the swine-flu travel advisory, the current market is at a low point, which means reduced prices, sometimes very reduced. However, in addition to the confidence which the history of the Playa del Carmen real estate market offers us, (see Second chance in the Playa del Carmen Real Estate market in our real estate blog), the government of Mexico has just launched the Vive Mexico program, which will add to our confidence that the market will soon be on an upward trend, and that this is an ideal time to invest. Those considering buying a home, or looking for an investment in Playa del Carmen may hesitate to buy at a time when appreciation has leveled off. But considering the importance of tourism in this market, any indication that tourism will soon be on the rise again is a good sign. The Vive Mexico program considerably strengthens these prospects. President Calderon is challenging Mexicos tourist industry, Lets show the world what we really are, and do better than ever. This is just what the Vive Mexico program is going to do, redoubling effort in innovative ways to promote Mexicos tourist destinations, and offering special prices to an extent which has never been seen before. So, what does this program include? An unprecedented financial investment of 90 million dollars (1.2 billion pesos). This money will be used to promote Mexico in every way possible as a tourist destination full of life, attractions and benefits with no equal. The investment will be dedicated to promoting tourism in North America and throughout the rest of the world, both encouraging Mexicans to get to know their own heritage, and continuing to show the rest of the world the benefits of coming to Mexico. The message which Vive Mexico has for the world will be delivered through various media, and using celebrities such as actors and soccer players, and public figures from all walks of fame. The campaign has been called much more than just a promotional campaign " its a national movement which requires the participation of all Mexicans. In addition to the campaign itself, numerous other initiatives are being undertaken. One is an updated version of Playa del Carmens Digital Tourist Service Catalogue (Catalogo Turistico Digital), which includes catalogue of all services of interest to tourists in Playa and has been distributed on CD and very successfully received on an international level. The new version will included data from a recent census to offer more complete information. Also the government of this state is organizing an event (Vive la Vida en el Caribe Mexicano, Travel Shop el Mall de los Viajes) to complement the national program with promotion specific to Quintana Roo. So, theres going to be a lot of publicity " what else is going to be offered? In Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, there are going to be reduced prices, all-inclusive packages which now include even more, such as extra nights in hotels, free entrance into eco parks, and numerous other incentives for tourists. Some packages are being offered as low as 50%. The campaign will focus on bolstering tourism this coming summer season, that is, within the next couple of months. For the Playa del Carmen real estate this means one thing; tourism, a key element in the market here, will rebounds and probably quite quickly. As tourism grows, the market trend will turn back up. This factor, in addition to numerous others which will give buyers confidence in the Playa del Carmen Real Estate market, make this an ideal time to invest in Playa del Carmen.

Cancun Real Estate by Cyndi Ader, originally from the US, has been living in Cancun, Mexico for 17 years. She is a member of A.M.P.I. (The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals) and is currently a member of the International Relations Committee. She is also an international affiliate of NAR (National Association of Realtors). She is the owner/broker of Cancun Properties Real Estate and specializes as a buyer's broker. for more information (512)-879-6546. Where 9 TOP real estate experts from ALL regions of Mexico come together to share their Tips & Knowledge to help you buy safely !"

Internet World: Premiere Conferencing launches two new conferencing tools and announces UK surge in web and audio conferencing

Media Contacts:Catherine McFarlandKetchum+44 (0)20 7611 3500catherine.mcfarland@ketchum.comEmma BrownPremiere Conferencing+44 (0)20 7890 7008emma.brown@premconf.co.ukPremiere Conferencing Launches Two New Conferencing Tools at InternetWorld In Europe Following Surge in Demand for ServicesWeb Collaboration and Operator-Assisted Calls with Automated Access Provide New Way to Meet Premiere Conferencing (www.premconf.co.uk), a global provider of enhanced, audio and Web-based conferencing solutions and a business unit of Ptek Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEK), has experienced a 45 percent surge in its conferencing services in Europe since April last year. In response to the growing popularity of automated conferencing, Premiere Conferencing is now offering customers two new conferencing tools: VisionCastSM , which provides easy Web access for an easier way to share documents and slides on the desktop with anyone, anywhere and PremiereCall AuditoriumSM, which combines automated access to audio conferences for large groups, with the assistance of an operator to manage the call for presenters.Premiere Conferencing will demonstrate these new services at Stand 945 at InternetWorld, an Internet exhibition, which takes place at Earls Court, London, 2nd - 5th June.Michele Hayden, Premiere Conferencing's managing director in Europe, said: When there is doubt surrounding travel or the economy, we see tremendous growth in the conferencing market. Past experience tells us that these new adopters continue to use the service following a period of intense, initial use. Given the current environment, the market is ideal for introducing VisionCast and Auditorium as they give companies a new way to meet.We use Auditorium and VisionCast for the audio conferences that we offer our clients as an efficient alternative to in-person meetings, said Stephanie Lange-Bourdiec, client care manager at GigaGroup, a leading global IT advisory firm. Our analysts present their visions and opinions on a specific subject using a visual presentation on the Internet. Participants then have the opportunity to interact and discuss during a Q&A session. Our clients really appreciate this format as they can take advantage of our expertise and recommendations without travelling. The average customer satisfaction rate of our seminars is 95 percent. This is also very cost-effective, which was a key element in our decision.The European market is searching for more sophisticated, cost-effective ways to conduct meetings, added Hayden. These services provide customers with tools that are not only easy to access, but also allow companies to capture important information and opinions from an audience that may otherwise be difficult to obtain.VisionCast - An OverviewVisionCast enables participants from around the world to collaboratively work on documents, view presentations, conduct Web tours and draw on whiteboards. Unlike some Web conferencing solutions, VisionCast integrates the Web and audio services so call hosts benefit from one source for live operator assistance, one source for billing and simultaneous playback of audio and visuals once recorded. Customer demonstrations are complimentary.Other features of VisionCast include:Mood indicators that allow participants to convey their opinions about how the presentation is going, so the presenter can adjust accordinglyChat function that allows participants to conduct private conversations with either the call host or each otherVoting to instantly gather audience opinionsAnnotation to enable presenters to draw visual attention to key pointsFull range of meeting management tools including invitations, scheduling and on-demand meeting management tools that automatically send email invitations to attendeesPresentation tools that enable the viewing of slides, applications and/or the desktop, white boarding, snapshot or screen captures, and Internet toursRecord and playback for archiving of meeting contentPremiereCall Auditorium - An OverviewUsing PremiereCall Auditorium, European businesses will be able to deliver messages to a large audience more comprehensively and cost-effectively. Ideal for internal communications such as company announcements, all-hands meetings, seminars, briefings, and training, PremiereCall Auditorium combines the convenience of automated passcode access with the assurance of a dedicated operator. It also enables interactive Q&A sessions to engage the audience and increase their understanding of the message. The European launch follows the success of the service in the United States, where companies have been quick to take advantage of PremiereCall Auditorium at a time when international travel is limited and internal communications remain important. PremiereCall Auditorium conferencing allows for interactive sessions with the audience so the calls can engage participants and heighten their understanding of the message. For example, companies can get the opinions of their employees on a large scale and invite questions to clarify points. Call hosts can also record the meeting for those who might not be able to attend. Key features include: Conference replay available by phone, 24/7Instant passcode access for convenience and to ensure that calls start on timeA professional announcer opens and closes the callDedicated operator assistance for customer support throughout the callMultiple Q&A and voting sessions About GigaGroupGigaGroup provides customers with objective advice for continuously improving Information Technology (IT) and IT Management efficiency. Independently from all IT vendors, GigaGroup helps clients make strategic and tactical decisions about the technologies, people and IT processes needed to excel in supporting business. In particular, we help IT executives learn about emerging and core technologies as well as IT Management issues, compare the features of different products and services, decide with which vendors (services and products) develop a relationship, how to organise teams, align IT with business and measure IT value. GigaGroup also provides CEOs, board members and business executives with coaching and advice on the best use of IT for business advantage.About Premiere ConferencingPremiere Conferencing (www.premconf.co.uk) is the conferencing provider companies rely on when communications really matter. Since 1984, Premiere Conferencing has consistently led the industry in developing the most advanced global conferencing and collaboration solutions, fulfilling today's business-critical communications needs. Premiere Conferencing delivers the highest levels of security, reliability and customer service in a comprehensive suite of communications offerings, from feature-rich automated and operator-assisted conferencing to advanced Web collaboration tools that enable users to create and interact visually over the Internet. A business unit of Ptek Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK), Premiere Conferencing's international office locations include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States.About Ptek Holdings, Inc.Ptek Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTEK) is a leading provider of tailored business communications solutions that enable global enterprises to better communicate with constituents, acquire and retain customers and automate business processes. These solutions, which include conferencing, Web collaboration and messaging, are marketed under the Premiere Conferencing and Xpedite brand names.Ptek Holdings' corporate headquarters is located at 3399 Peachtree Road NE, The Lenox Building, Atlanta, GA 30326. Additional information can be found at www.ptek.com

Internet Cruises - Shopping Online

"If you build it, they will come."That advice, which prompted an Iowa farmer in the 1989 movie "Field of Dreams" to plow over his corn field and build a baseball diamond, has become the mantra of many high-tech startups promoting electronic commerce on the Internet. And the cruise travel industry has also embraced this "shop by computer" concept.Indeed the Internet can be a wonderful source of information to help you plan an exciting holiday, obtaining ship and stateroom descriptions, itineraries, tips on sites to see, passport and visa requirements, shore excursion, shopping, weather and local interest information,but is it the right place to book your dream vacation?Cruise lines are investing over US$15 billion to build at least 50 new ships in the first half of this decade in addition to the over 300 vessels already in service. Each of these ships offer different amenities with unique ambiance and often this kind of information can only be understood and communicated by face to face discussions with a cruise expert to avoid turning a terrific vacation into a mediocre experience.There is a common misconception that because something is offered for sale on the Internet, it will be an exceptional or a major saving for the consumer. More often than not however it is the ease of completing a transaction that is the major benefit for certain types of travel.Do not assume that pricing on the Internet will automatically be the lowest. Often local agencies will have agreements with the cruiselines that allow them to offer exceptional "not to be advertised" specials.Sometimes there are "residents specials" which are applicable only to residents of a particular country, state or province. Most cruise lines offer price protection to the consumer should the fare for your category of stateroom be reduced. A good agent will watch for reductions and ensure you receive the adjustment. Using an electronic service may not provide the same protection or make available specific specials applicable to your requirements.Arrangements unique to your vacation such as special dietary requirements, handling disabilities, and providing meet and greet services, may be overlooked booking on-line and there may be no way to get answers your very specific questions.On the other hand booking your frequent flyer points travel directly with the airlines or even obtaining a air ticket can be a simple process with little risk if you are dealing directly with the airline's booking engine. Above all make sure about who you are giving your credit card to.Where are they located, and how long have they been in business? Can you get references? Are the web transactions secure? Is the currency my currency? How will my documents get to me and are there additional charges that have not been itemized? What happens if I do not receive the tickets?Now for the good news! As a research tool, the Internet is second to none. Most cruiselines have sites that provide detailed information on their offerings. Carnival Cruise Lines at www.carnival.com offers comprehensive information on their ships, itineraries and even the shore excursions available for each sailing.Similar sites are available from Princess Cruises at www.princess.com or Royal Caribbean International at www.rccl.com where you can print a custom information brochure in full color if you wish!The official trade organization of the cruise industry is the Cruise Lines International Association (www.cruising.org). They work in partnership with nearly 21,000 affiliated travel agencies throughout North America to ensure the highest caliber of cruise sales expertise and service for cruise vacationers.This is a fun place for exploring what cruising is all about and CLIA provides links to all major cruiselines, frequently asked questions, vacation planning information and even a cruise expert locator to find an Accredited Cruise Counsellor near you.If you would like to create a printed mini-guide to your vacation destination, you may wish to visit www.fodors.com. The creators of the famous travel books allow you to create your own mini-guides to a destination covering transport, lodging, dining, currency, health, and more in a personalized format.The Columbus World Travel Guide (www.wtgonline.com) is a resource often used by travel agents for complete information on almost any destination in the world. This site will give you history, maps, visa and passport requirements, how to get there, public holidays, political structure, useful addresses, accommodation, business profiles, climate, social profiles and much more.There are also links to other very useful areas on the Internet such as Mapquest, Yahoo Weather, Traveller's Health Services, World Tourism Offices, the Government Travel Advisory and Information services as well as links to ship bridge cameras offering live pictures from their vessels.Having both a computer and travel background, I am excited by the potential of the Internet as a comprehensive research tool. My practical side reminds me that there is no such thing as a "free lunch". It is not how much you save but what you get for what you pay!Sid Kaplan has extensive experience in the travel business. He owned and operated a large retail cruise only agency in Canada and his wife has 25 years experience working for major cruise lines. Their website is http://www.cruisevacationsguide.com which offers advice and tips to those look to create memorable cruise vacations.

Know More about India Visa and Indian Embassy

With the turmoil happening all over the world, going from country to country sometimes making it difficult. The securities to enter foreign land are really tight and most of the times you must have an idea if there are travel advisories on the country you are going. Prior to your international vacation, you should aware of the travel advisories and know more information regarding the country you are going to visit. This will help you avoid too much pressure on the securities on that country. Since is India is one of the favorite tourist destinations because of its unique scenes, it is advisable to know more about visa information and where you can get legitimate information you need . India visa information that you should know must include the application requirements, validity of the visa and know the cultural practices. Prior to filing of your visa application, you should assure that you have a valid passport. When we say valid, that means your passport is valid to use at least six months covering the date of your travel. Also, when you sign application, avoid erasures and spelling errors because this may lead to denying of your application. The expiration of tourist and business visas are valid for six months to ten years but not to exceed hundred eighty days for each stay, so make sure you plan your visit within this period. Likewise, since India has their own religious culture you should make sure that you agree not to perform any religious activities as long as you are here to visit. Application for India visa is not really difficult because of so many India embassies that are distributed around the globe. The Indian Embassy will give you reliable information that you need when visiting India. They are the best and most trusted source when it comes to legalities need when visiting the country. You may check out their offices to get further information and assist you in processing the documents you need. To avoid the hassle, you may also go online, but it is much better if you will drop-by to their embassy so that all of your concerns and the things that you seem not to understand will be addressed. India is one exciting place to have your vacation. In order to enjoy its magnificent beauty, be sure to have all the documents and information you need to know when staying in India. Get all the information you need and start preparing for your India experience.

Eindiavisa.com offers Information About Indian Embassy. It is also Recommended For India Visa Information .

Briefing Paper: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Preliminary Implications on the Economy and Disease Overview

SARS Briefing PaperAuthor: Peter Lytle, Managing PartnerThe Business Development Group www.bdgpartners.com Contact information: plytle@bdgpartners.com or 952-473-3831Permission to use granted.4/22/03Briefing Paper: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Preliminary Implications on the Economy and Disease Overview The purpose of this briefing is to give the reader a current overview of SARS, a baseline of information about the disease and some economic implications to build upon. As the First World War came to an end, we entered a period of global travel; and with that travel, began the first global pandemic. By the end of the pandemic, over 20 million people lay dead. Since that time, we have experienced a variety of related diseases. Some are as dangerous, some with the potential to do as much damage: Aids, Hantavirus, avian flu, variants of CJD and CWD, West Nile, Ebola, Indian plague, smallpox, Legionaries disease and many other varied bacterial and viral infections. On an average, the world is subjected to a new biological threat from Mother Nature every 6 to 10 years. Man-made biological threats can be developed ad hoc: Anthrax and Smallpox. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS has not received all the attention in the US media that it has in other countries perhaps due to the war. Perhaps because we are all complacent, thinking the ability to manage these diseases is commonplace. SARS has not yet been proven to be a mega disease, but it may be on the verge of becoming one. If SARS were to go unchecked in the world and mimic the problems created in China, Hong Kong or Toronto, we could see a significant impact on our economic marketplace and healthcare system. What is SARS?SARS is a respiratory illness believed to be caused by the coronavirus. In some cases, it is being referred to as Atypical Pneumonia because of its close resemblance to pneumonia. The criteria for SARS are: temperature of 100.5 degrees or more, one or more clinical findings of respiratory illness (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, hypoxia, or radiographic findings of either pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome), travel to an area with documented or suspected community transmission of SARS, and/or close contact within 10 days of onset of symptoms with either a person with a respiratory illness who traveled to a SARS area or a person known to be a suspect SARS case. In a limited number of cases individuals also had diarrhea. What is the origin or SARS?A small group of scientists believes that SARS may have come from farm animals. Bi Shengli, of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, stated that the earliest victims in Guangdong were chefs or bird vendors in contact with chickens, ducks, pigeons and owls. This theory is yet to be proven. The current theory is that SARS is a new coronavirus; similar to the family of coronavirus that causes the common cold and mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness in humans. When viewed under a microscope, they have a halo or crown-like appearance. Some researchers think this strain of coronavirus identified may also be similar to a virus that is far more serious and found in animals where it is associated with respiratory, gastrointestinal, liver and neurological disease, but recent genetic testing has not identified this as the case. In several cases of SARS, metapneumovirs has been isolated; the role in the pathogenesis in SARS remains unclear. Scientists recently sequenced the corona virus found in numerous SARS patients and believe it is new. One of the concerning things about this virus is its ability to mutate rapidly. As one scientist state this is a virus looking for the perfect host or transmission vehicle. The coronavirus identified is currently considered the primary cause of SARS, according to a briefing by World Health Organization on April 17, 2003. Other potential viruses may still yet be identified that may interact with the disease as it progresses however.SARS is believed to have originated in or around the Guangdong province of China in November of 2002 or before. From there it spread to a single hotel in Hong Kong, called the Metropole, then certain hospital clusters involving seriously ill patients. Guests on the 9th, 11th, & 14th, floors of the Metropole Hotel were exposed. International travelers from these floors spread the disease to another five countries; the disease is now in 26 countries. In February of 2003 it appeared in North America for the first time. What is the incubation period for SARS?Typically it is 2 through 10 days. The illness begins generally with an onset of fever of 100.4 or more. The fever is often associated with chills and/or rigors and might be accompanied by other symptoms including headache, malaise and myalgia. After 3 through 7 days, a lower-respiratory phase begins with the onset of a dry, nonproductive cough or dyspnea. In 10% to 20% of cases the respiratory illness is severe enough to require incubation and mechanical support. What is the mortality rate?This is an extremely aggressive disease. In countries where it was originally established, 1 in 20 are believed to be dying. The CDC estimates the mortality rate at about 3.5%, which is similar to other respiratory diseases. Other organizations such as Health Canada have placed the death rate at 4% to 9%. Hospitals in China have experienced up to a 25% mortality rate. It is too early to tell the actual mortality rate and it will likely be different in each country. At the present time (4/21/03), there are 3,947 cases worldwide, there have been 229 deaths and 1,1935 recoveries. Two hundred twenty eight suspected cases have been reported in the US in 35 states, with no deaths to date. Cases studies before 4/5/03 indicated 94% of the individuals had traveled within 10 days before the onset of illness to the areas listed in the CDC SARS case areas. For more information on case areas, please go to www.cdc.gov and access the SARS page.What is the risk of exposure?SARS appears to be spread primarily by direct contact with moisture droplets or body fluids expelled by a SARS carrier. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes, however, that other factors may be involved. Several hundred residents of a housing complex in Hong Kong (Amoy Gardens) some of which are now leaving quarantine and being tracked; may have been infected with SARS even though they did not have direct contact with a SARS carrier. Research into transmission by cockroaches is being conducted in connection with this location. Thirteen labs around the world are currently researching SARS, how it is transmitted and related questions. It is also becoming evident, according to the CDC and other health organizations, that some individuals may be more infectious than others. An April 4th teleconference, by the CDC and WHO, referred to the possibility of super carriers (individuals that are able to spread the disease greater than others).According to Dr. Gerberding of the CDC, in one hospital in Hanoi, 56% of the health care worker population that came in contact with a SARS patient came down with the disease. In Toronto, where the disease has had a significant impact on hospitals and health care, 180 paramedics have been quarantined in their homes, three were hospitalized with symptoms after potential exposure to SARS infected individuals. There appears to be a dramatic difference in the mortality of the disease depending on when it is detected. The US has experienced no deaths and a number of recoveries based on aggressive disease management, while Mainland China has experienced 1,457 reported cases and 65 deaths as of April 16, 2003. Actual numbers will turn out to be much higher. It appears that the government of China has under reported suspected case of SARS to prevent panic and economic damage to their industrial sector.Dr Gerberding of the CDC believes this is a significant and serious threat to world health and one that needs immediate and vigilant attention. We recognize this as an epidemic that's evolving differently. In transcripts from the CDC, Dr. Gerberding and Dr James Hughes, of the National Center for Infectious Diseases, have stated their concern about SARS. The potential for infecting large numbers of people is very great. The WHO said outbreaks in most parts of the world are currently under control but still spreading in China and Hong Kong. Other health organizations remain highly cautious and suggest this virus could still break away. At the present time, many individuals that have been exposed to SARS have recovered or are in recovery. Early medical attention is critical. If you believe you have SARS you should contact local health authorities immediately and try to limit contact with other individuals if possible until you have been instructed on the best course of action. Does the coronavirus live outside of the human body?The virus appears to live about 3 hours outside the human body. Similar viruses have the capacity to live from 1 hour to 6 days outside the body. There are some very limited concerns that if dried, it may become airborne and still remain potent or maybe hosted by animals or in sewage or related environments. Research on other transmission methods is ongoing. Most research to this date indicates a human host is still the primary methods for transmission and the virus does not live well outside of a host. A great deal of attention is being given to Airport transmission. Air passengers may be at some risk. Airplanes do filter air and only passengers in close contact to a SARS carriers or having touched perhaps a lavatory item etc. are believed to be at significant risk. The question is still being studied however and the answers may be months away. At which point a SARS carrier is infectious and can pass the disease on is still under debate. Are there any tests developed to detect SARS?SARS identification testing is under development. Currently a PCR test is being evaluated. Dr James Hughes has noted two CDC tests that look promising; one is an indirect fluorescent antibody test and the other is an Allose test. Both tests require the disease to have some time to establish itself in the human body. Is there any known treatment for SARS?At this time there is no known treatment for SARS; anti-viral drugs, antibiotics and steroids alone have not responded well. An article in the Financial Times on April 2, 2003 indicated that Hong Kong government health officials indicated some success with a treatment of cocktails of anti-viral drugs and steroids to modulate the extreme response by the patient's immune system. Ahang Wenkang, health minister for China believes they have found a combination of Western and Chinese medicine that works but no details are provided. There are vaccines used in animals to manage coronavirus so there may be an opportunity to expand this into human subjects in the future. No specific drugs to date including Ribavirin have demonstrated effectiveness in control of the disease. Mechanical ventilators are being used with acute patients. One concern facing many countries including the US is the lack of this equipment in the event of a major outbreak of SARS. It is estimate the US has fewer than 20,000 of these units available and during the peak of the Flu season most are in use, the question remains which patients would get the access to this equipment. With the genetic code now available for the SARS coronavirus a vaccine can be developed. This is a process that can take years, however and there is a lack of production capabilities for vaccines in the US at the present time. Prevention of the disease is based on keeping away from direct contact with potentially infected individuals. Recommendations are to practice basic hygiene, washing hands frequently, and avoid areas where the disease is spreading. The use of surgical masks is having limited impact unless the mask is worn by an infected individual to reduce the droplets spread by the nose or mouth. Masks that are sealed and rated N-95, used in conjunction with eye protection and rubber gloves are suggested for individuals in close contact with infected individuals. N-95 masks are currently on back order many months by producers and may not be available should a large outbreak occur in the US or Europe. Most masks have a limited period of value (24 hours or less) once used. Improper use of the mask may also not prevent the disease from coming in contact with the mouth or nose. It is believed that a variety of disinfectants are successful at destroying the virus; chlorine-based disinfectants are listed in a number of health organization's information articles. There is, however, no disinfectant that is currently registered or approved for SARS by any government organization at this time. Should I travel overseas?The CDC and WHO have travel advisories out for much of Asia. Check the CDC website. Toronto is also being noted as a travel caution area. In short, if you don't need to travel at this time, don't. Video conferencing is up 50% for Asia. According to the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, individuals that are in the US who have not traveled to an infected area have very little risk of becoming infected with SARS. This suggests that staying home may mean staying safe. In some areas of the US Asian and their business are being avoided. There is no indication that Asians in the US are any more likely to have SARS than anyone who has traveled anywhere would. In fact the Asian community may have a higher awareness of the disease than other cultural groups. Travel advisories are currently recommending restricted travel to: Mainland China (especially the Guangdong province), Vietnam (primarily Hanoi), Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanix and some organizations have placed a watch on Toronto, Canada. If a traveler acquires SARS in some of these countries they may not be admitted to hospitals but instead be directed to isolation clinics if they exist. Do not expect to find housing in hotels during the course of the disease. Most airlines will not allow SARS patient's reservations until the disease is proven to be gone and the patient fully recovered. Some countries are no longer allowing air passengers from case countries to disembark, and it is possible that a traveler could find himself or herself stranded for weeks or months if caught in an epidemic location. Depending on the time line for this disease (3 to 10 years), the original countries where the disease has run its course may become safer to visit or do business in than countries where the disease has yet to penetrate 70% of the population, assuming a vaccine has hot been found. This is called the Jack-in "the-box theory. After the outbreak of food poisoning at Jack in the Box, it cleaned up its act and became one of America's safest eating establishments. Could SARS be similar to other respiratory or flu-like diseases?Nobody knows. In the 1998 " 99 flu season there were, according to the CDC, 20,000 flu associated deaths nationwide with 80 million doses of vaccine given to the public. The vaccine was between 70%-80% effective in preventing the flu among healthy adults. This could suggest that a similar disease, for which no vaccine exists, could have a devastating effect on any population that is not prepared. If SARS turns out to be an airborne disease, it will likely be considered more aggressive and could mimic the flu. Direct-contact diseases tend to spread slower allowing for health controls. The use of quarantine procedures may help control SARS. Most countries are utilizing quarantine procedures with SARS suspects but have not with used it with the flu, suggesting a lower risk rate for healthy individuals in developed countries. Economic Impact of SARSSARS currently has the greatest economic impact on Asian countries and businesses closely related to those countries. Among the industries currently being affected: Airlines, Asian and some Canadian (Toronto) convention and tourist business and local retail business, travel-related business and production of materials in China. By example, when Qantas Airlines issued the region's first pneumonia-related profit warning two weeks ago, Merrill Lynch cut their estimates on earning by 19%. Cathay Pacific, which is based in Hong Kong, saw its shares drop by 18% and Singapore Airlines dropped by 14% as a result of SARS concerns by investors. KLM, the Dutch Airline, said that it feared the rapid spread of SARS was having a greater impact on the airline industry than the war in Iraq according to a report in the April 3rd edition of the Financial Times. As of April 16, 2003 some of the biggest Asian airlines said they had travel drop offs of up to 70% on flights to Hong Kong. Goldman Sachs analysis, Noboru Nakajima, believes that the disease will be significant in affecting all travel. Concerns by the cruise line industry of a potential SARS outbreak, has also created a major debate on how to manage the problem if it occurs and how to screen customers to reduce the threat. Hong Kong is not a large producer of material goods anymore; on a global basis 70% of its revenues are generated by services. Services are driven by manpower. SARS is a tremendous threat to any Hong Kong based business. Already most schools are closed. Parents are staying home and away from restaurants, retail locations, cinema, and entertainment complexes. The HSBC Bank and other banks have shut down locations and canceled meeting and overseas travel. A number of embassies have closed and families sent home. Should SARS reach the US or Europe as it has in Asia, panic and over reaction will likely appear. With the war coming to an end CNN, Fox and other news media may look at SARS as the next big news item and set off a similar panic to that created Hong Kong. In an effort to contain the damage done to its travel industry, China claims the disease is nearing control. The WHO, on the other hand, has now listed all of Mainland China under a travel advisory. Most health organizations believe that China has lost control of the virus. Manufacturing facilities in the Guangdong province are experiencing shortages of employees as non-dormitory workers stay home or are subject to quarantine. Concern by overseas buyers, that production will lag or their customers may reject goods produced in the Guangdong province, is creating a complex series of global discussion on finding supplemental suppliers before the next holiday season. China has become the supplier to the world in a variety of consumer goods and any unchecked spread of SARS in China will impact companies from Nike to Wal-Mart. China with its large electronics industry could also be subject to considerable damage. Wal-Mart has already asked its Asian travelers from case countries to go into a self-quarantine for 10 days before returning to work. Products shipped from China are considered safe due to the time it takes for them to reach US shore and should not be impacted directly according to the WHO. The workers that produce these products and those companies that have offices in China are at the greatest risk according to a recent article in Business Week.If SARS spreads in the Western countries, the cost of health care could rise significantly. SARS is a very intensive disease to manage because it requires isolation of the patient; health care costs could increase 2 to 3 fold with a significant outbreak. The loss of workers for up to 30 to 60 days will also impact the productivity of countries and companies. Retail sales could fall significantly as they have in Hong Kong where it was reported by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association and Financial Times that retail sales are down by 50% since the outbreak of SARS with a potential 5% to 10% decline in property value estimated by Merrill Lynch The Department of Defense is currently supplying support to the CDC in identification of the virus and in identification for means of infection. SARS could have a dire impact on our defense program and the war in Iraq. If troops in Korea became infected, we would see further destabilization of the region. The cost to the government for increased defense spending to make up for infected troops could have a longer-term impact on the recession. At the present time there is no reason to believe that SARS is related to terrorism, so the positive side is less fear in the population. SARS is too complex and uncontrolled to use as a terrorist weapon, if it did come from a lab it would be more likely to have been the result of a lab accident where the virus was being use to create a vaccine. SARS may have more impact in some countries than others. Companies that purchase items from overseas or are related to the overseas travel industry (primarily Asia) could see longer-term financial issues. Companies in some sectors of the health care industry might see increases in revenue especially if they are in manufacturing of products like surgical masks, etc. Grants for funding research into SARS could benefit Universities and some pharmaceutical firms. SARS could help Internet commerce; catalog companies and delivery companies and digital movies grow as customer stay away from the crowds.Companies, like Disney, could be hurt as consumers stay away from crowds this summer. Travel to Los Angeles and/or Hawaii could be down as visitors shy away from areas where there are large numbers of Asian travelers. If the disease is tracked to certain bird populations, breeders of these birds may be hurt by the additional cost of disinfecting or loss of consumer confidence in purchasing these products due to fear factors. The disease, at this time, is unlikely to have a significant impact outside of China and some Asian countries as long as the WHO is able to maintain the outbreak, but it should be monitored. Companies that are already in difficult shape and somehow related to any key areas mentioned, should be monitored closely as their survival may be directly related to the events of SARS management by world health organizations over the next several years. Events change quickly with biological diseases. Data is often conflicted. You are advised to watch a site like Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (www.cidrap.umn.edu/) or other contacts listed below for frequent updates on this disease.References & Sources*: Hong Kong Dept of Health www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm Singapore Ministry of Health http://app.moh.gov.sg/ Health Canada www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/warnings/sars/index.html Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy www.cidrap.umn.edu/Center for Disease Control & Prevention www.cdc.gov/ or www.cdc.gov/ncidod/SARS/World Health Organization www.who.int/en/Morbidity and Mortality Weekly http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr /Communicable Disease Surveillance & Response www.who.int/csr/en/Financial Times www.ft.comBusiness Week, Time, Newsweek*Some site addresses are subject to periodic change.Nike and Wal-Mart, Jack in the Box are protected trademarks of Nike Corporations, Wal-Mart Corporation, Jack in the Box, Corp.Trademarks apply to all other names and logos Information in this briefing may be subject to change. Data in various sources may be conflicting. Decision concerning SARS or its impact should not be made on this briefing but should come from the reader's own research

One City in Europe Every College Graduate Should See

It's not easy for a college graduate to just go off on a holiday, but if you had an opportunity to travel for a couple of days in one city in Europe, where would you go?The unanimous choice would be Paris, the dream destination for college graduates of courses like arts, history, literature, engineering, and politics, as well as those into culinary arts and fashion design. Just by being in central Paris, you'd encounter some of the greatest historical sites and the most preserved artworks in our world. The heart of Haute couture or high fashion, glamorous shopping, and excellent French cuisine also resides here.It's but natural for the French to romanticize this place as the "City of Love". Tourists feel such amore for gay Paris, too, and it would be a wonderful place to fall in love. The illustrious Eiffel Tower and impressive Arc de Triomphe are famous landmarks which when illuminated at night would make you agree that you are, indeed, in the "City of Lights".If you had only three places to see, which would they be? Most people agree that Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame should top the list.The Musee du Louvre is where you'd see the immortalized Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Winged Victory, and Venus de Milo. Adjacent is the controversial Glass Pyramid where Mary Magdalene is said to be entombed. For a fee, you'd escalate to heights unknown by riding elevators leading to the viewing floors of the Eiffel Tower. You'd be awe-inspired to see the stained glass of Rose Windows at Notre Dame Cathedral where Quasimodo watched over.But if you wanted to see more of Paris, how would you do it? Here's how:- Research on travel deals. Make use of travel advisories and maps to orient your self.- Do reliable bookings in advance and online. There are many hotels in the Parisian suburbs, clean hostels, or bed-and-breakfast inns you could reserve. Otherwise, stay with friends or better yet, go with a group of friends for fun.- Set aside some pocket money and a little extra. Bring more Euros with you as exchange rates are higher here.- Buy a Paris Visite Pass for unlimited access to public transport by bus, train, or Metro. You'll also get discounted rates at local museums and diners.- Buy the Carte Musees et Monument pass if you're interested in sightseeing package. You'll get to see Napoleon's tomb and the works of Monet, Rodin, D'Orsay, and Picasso if you do.- Bring your student international ID as most attractions give discounts to students.- Brush up on your French or bring a dictionary to help you communicate better.- Avail of free entrance to cathedrals and churches in Paris which are rich with breathtaking murals.- Take heavy lunches at delis which offer lunch at cheaper rates. Take out from cafes instead of dining in, and make sandwiches to eat leisurely in parks near the Louvre or Tuileries.- Walk. Paris is made for strolling. A romantic promenade along the parks and bridges of River Siene comes for free.How would you make this once-in-a-lifetime tour a reality? The months of November until April bring off-season rates for Paris, so start saving up to live the dream.



Simon Johnnson is the director of content for http://www.executivegiftshoppe.com/passportholders.html. They specialize in passport holders and travel alarm clocks.

First International Computer Forensics Web Conference Confirms All-Star Speaker Line-up

June 3, 2004 -- DIGEV 2004, the 1st International Digital Evidence Web Conference is regulated by some of the sector's most prolific and distinguished practitioners. Advisory and Review Committee members include Clive Blake, Head of New Scotland Yard's Computer Crime Unit, Troy Larson, Senior Forensic Investigator at Microsoft, Olivier de Vel, Head of Computer Forensics, Department of Defense, Australia and Zeno Geradts, R&D Coordinator for Digital Evidence at the Netherlands Forensic Institute, Robert Jones, INTERPOL Chair of the European Working Party on IT and Director of Digital Investigation Services, QinetiQ, to name but a few. The speaker line-up boasts some of the industry's most distinguished professionals such as: Dara Sewell (Chief Digital Evidence Forensics Unit, FBI and Chair of the SWGDE), Alan E. Brill (Senior Managing Director, Kroll Ontrack), Bill Boni (Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer Motorola Information Protection Services), Alastair MacGibbon (Director Australian High Tech Crime Centre AHTCC), Michael R. Anderson (President and primary founder of New Technologies, Inc.), Fred Cotton (Director Training Services, SEARCH National Criminal Justice) and many more.The Web Conference is expected to have a tremendous impact on the sector's global knowledge sharing. "DIGEV 2004 breaks down geographical and financial barriers. For the first time, practitioners can congregate without being tied to their agendas or travel budgets.", says e-symposium's Managing Director, Val-Pierre Genton. The 2-day Web Conference will feature 24 of the sector's most eminent speakers and will be streamed live to delegate computers around the world. Each presentation will last for 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session. Delegates can even chat amongst themselves with advanced, web-based Instant Messaging technology allowing delegates to view who is online and to chat with their colleagues live.The Web Conference is organised by forensic.e-symposium which is broadly recognised as the leading Web site for forensic industry intelligence. The Web site content is split into three key areas: Web Conferences, Supplier Profiles and the TEK-centre, which features cutting edge industry coverage.

New International Nanotech Community Launches

Zeiningen, Switzerland, September 6, 2004 -- Douglas Connect announces the launch of InterNanotech, a new online community for international researchers in computational and experimental nanoscience and nanotechnology. By holding regular seminar sessions over the internet, supported by virtual communication and networking tools, InterNanotech is designed to facilitate rapid communication of new research results and discoveries between different disciplines and geographic regions. The scientific advisory board is headed by Prof. Nick Quirke of Imperial College, London, who emphasized Nanotech is such a large field, encompassing most if not all scientific disciplines, that it is vital to have a forum in which it is possible to make new contacts easily and exchange information and news as rapidly as possible. I think the concept of the InterNanotech community will make a vital contribution to this end. Dr. Jurgen Schulte, Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Nanotechnology Forum went on to say, A vibrant manufacturing industry depends on its ability to adapt swiftly to a changing market and its long term viability and future depends on its ability to pro-actively engage in innovation. Nanotechnology is about to become one of the key driving forces in a new cycle of innovation in Asia and around the world. Prof. Quirke and Dr Schulte were speaking from Broome, Australia where they are currently at the Pacific Rim Conference in Nanoscience, which starts today and is being chaired by Prof. Quirke. InterNanotech's first activity is to make this conference available over the internet, not only as an online record for the participants during and after the conference, but also for all the people who were unable to attend in person. Presentations will be recorded and uploaded daily, along with the accompanying presentation materials. The conference includes contributions from leading researchers in the Pacific Region, in addition to invited speakers from Europe and the USA, and contains a significant amount of advanced chemistry and physics applied to nanotech research problems. InterNanotech is also giving a talented young scientist from India, Dr B.L.V. Prasad of the National Chemical Laboratory Nanoscience Group, a unique opportunity to present his work on the synthesis of metal magnetic nanoparticles. I was overjoyed when my abstract was accepted for a hot-spot lecture at the conference in Australia, but I wasn't able to raise the funds to travel there, said Dr Prasad, who continued, I cannot express how thrilled I was when I learned that I would still be able to hear the lectures through the virtual conference, and I could also present my work to an international audience from right here in India. I really hope this concept picks up! Later in the year, members of the InterNanotech community will also be able to join a session on "Modeling of Membranes and Ion Channels," chaired by Dr. Richard Pastor of the FDA Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research. InterNanotech will continue throughout 2005 with regular seminar sessions covering topics related to nanofluidics, nanobiology, nanofabrication, nanoparticles, computational nanoscience, nanomaterials, nanodevices, nanoelectronics, molecular manufacturing, activated carbon and zeolite design, self-assembly, health, safety, environmental and medical applications. Full information about the Conference and the Community can be found on http://nanotech.colayer.netDouglas Connect (www.douglasconnect.com)Douglas Connect organises both independent and sponsored virtual conferences for scientific communities, as well as providing consultancy services for setting up communities of expertise and for a range of communication projects. Further current conferences by Douglas Connect include eCheminformatics: Applications of Cheminformatics and Chemical Modelling to Drug Discovery; and eCombiChem: Cutting Edge Technologies in Combinatorial Chemistry; and Integrating Knowledge in the Life Science Product Life Cycle. Douglas Connect is based in Zeiningen, Switzerland.

Bush Must Ban American Travel to Israel, Expert Says

MEDIA ADVISORY FROM ANDY MARTIN'S AMERICA:AMERICAN BROADCASTER ASKS PRESIDENT BUSH TO BAN TRAVEL TO ISRAEL BY AMERICANS, TO END ANY FBI ACTIONS IN WAR ZONE, TO POSSIBLY SUSPEND EL AL FLIGHTS(NEW YORK) Columnist/Internet/radio Broadcaster Andy Martin will present a special internet news conference edition of Andy Martin's America Monday, August 5 at 1:00 P.M. to announce he has asked President Bush to ban Americans from traveling to Israel, to withdraw any FBI investigators from the war zone, and to consider suspending El Al flights.I have asked President Bush to ban travel by Americans to Israel, says Martin. The recent tragedy in Jerusalem, and former President Clinton's offer to carry a rifle for Israel' mandate emergency restraint by the U.S. Government.Congress has very properly passed laws protecting Americans from attack anywhere in the world. I support those laws, says Martin. But Congress never contemplated that Americans would insert themselves voluntarily in a war zone, and attack freedom fighters and provoke combat.A couple of weeks ago, four hundred (400) Americans went to Israel, many with the specific intent of invading the West Bank. It is inevitable that some, perhaps many, of these people, including children, will die as a result of their warlike conduct.While many people brand Palestinians as terrorists,' I see them as freedom fighters. Without the occupation there would eventually be no attacks. For Americans to seek to help steal a homeland from its inhabitants, and to provoke combat, and then ask for the FBI's assistance, is insane. We don't have enough FBI agents to chase Al Qaeda; we certainly don't need them cleaning up after Palestinian-American battles.President Clinton added his own Gilbert and Sullivan operetta aspects to the crisis. He says he wants to carry an Israeli rifle to fight Iraq. Is the Secret Service going to protect Clinton while Clinton attacks Iraqis? Israel prides itself on not having had El Al airplanes attacked. Thus it is inevitable that El Al will be attacked. Should El Al be landing in the United States? I have serious doubts.All of these questions present themselves because we refuse to recognize a revolutionary war for what it is, a war to end occupation and colonization. We cannot allow Americans to allow themselves to be killed, and then send in the over-stretched FBI to investigate' self-inflicted deaths. Unless and until peace returns to Palestine and Israel, Americans should be ordered to stay away. We keep people out of other war zones; why do we allow Americans to travel to Israel to commit war crimes, and then send the FBI to investigate?The ultimate hypocrisy and bankruptcy of the Bush policy is that we are prepared to send FBI officers to investigate the dead, but we refuse to send American officers to separate and defend the living along the U.N. 242 lines, so that peace could take hold. It is insane, says Martin. Martin's controversial program "Andy Martin's America" has become a fulcrum of foreign policy debate, political analysis and contemporary commentary on the Internet. He is a respected voice in America's intelligence community. He has traveled through the Middle East; his foreign experience includes Europe, Iran and Asia. Martin frequently breaks news involving the Middle East crisis. Martin has also been involved in broadcasting for 34 years, as an on-air personality, in management, sales and consulting. He is currently a national columnist for Out2.com. Martin, a former adjunct professor of law at the City University of New York, is a Washington foreign policy consultant for security and intelligence. An assistant to U.S. Senator Paul H. Douglas, he studied under Bernard Fall and was a founder of the Revolutionary War Research Center. Martin's radio program "Andy Martin's America" covers national and international stories from 1-2 P.M. Radio call-in (800) 810-9727. Internet radio website 1340wpbr.com (click "on air"). See Out2.com for some earlier Martin statements. Temp. e-mail: andymartinradio@hotmail.com

LAOTION COMMUNITY LEADER WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM INTERNATIONAL CHANNEL NETWORKS

6 October 2003For Immediate ReleaseContact: Corin Ramos (714) 926-9681Photo available upon requestLAOTION COMMUNITY LEADER WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FROM INTERNATIONAL CHANNEL NETWORKSSANTA ANA, CA October 7 2003--During America's long-ago secret war, Chongge Vang would parachute behind enemy lines alongside CIA agents, helping them find their way through the unfamiliar terrain. It was a dangerous vocation, but one that Vang felt was his only choice to combat the communists attacking his village in Laos.Decades later, Vang is still assisting strangers to new lands. This time, the newcomers are not soldiers, but fellow Laotian and Hmong immigrants, who like himself when he first came to America in 1976, quickly discover that navigating through cultural and language barriers could also be a matter of survival.Vang, a Santa Ana resident and community activist, is the President of the United Lao Movement for Democracy. Under Vang's leadership, the group is credited with helping hundreds of Laotian and Hmong immigrants become United States citizens, receive health care and other social service support.Vang has literally been an unsung hero from those outside his community, a role preferred by the quiet, soft-spoken 62-year-old father of 13.Until now.For his unwavering dedication to his community, The International Channel Network has named Vang the recipient of this year's Vision in America (VIA) award presented by the International Channel as part of their We the People public affairs campaign celebrating the extraordinary experience of becoming a United States citizen.VIA awards are presented to ethnic community leaders across the country who provide support to their immigrant communities. Vang, along with Frank Sun of the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center, will be honored at a special ceremony at the Bowers Museum on October 14, 2003.Chongge Vang's contributions to helping immigrants in his community adjust to life in America and become U.S. citizens exemplify what the Vision in America Award is all about, and International Channel is honored to present this award to him, said Jim Honiotes, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for International Channel Networks.Vang's modest reaction to the announcement was true to form. I only do what I can do to serve my community. I am not expecting to get any reward for what I do, he said. Vang, an interpreter and community outreach coordinator for the Orange County Health Care Agency, is the first Laotian to win the prestigious Vision In America award. Vang was nominated for the VIA award by Corin Ramos of Access Media, a cross-cultural public relations and event marketing agency specializing in outreach to the Asian and Pacific Islander population.MORE ABOUT CHONGGE VANGChongge Vang was born in Laos, one of six children of a Hmong family. He was a soldier from 1958 to 1975, assisting secret American CIA missions, which included protecting American personnel. On one of Vang's missions, he rescued American pilots shot down by the North Vietnamese communists. He also disrupted the flow of communist military personnel, supplies, trucks, and tanks traveling along the Ho Chi Minh Trail on their way to fight American soldiers in South Vietnam.In 1976, Vang migrated to California as a refugee. Later he earned degrees in sociology and health care management at Kensington University in Los Angeles.As president of the United Lao Movement for Democracy, Vang organized Orange County's annual Hmong New Year Celebration. He is a member of the Santa Ana Cable Advisory Board; and co-founder of the Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Council of Orange County.Vang lives in Santa Ana with his wife, My.

Inside ID -- Identity and Security Conference and Tradeshow -- Announces Advisory Board: A 'Dream Team' of Identification Experts

WASHINGTON DC July, 2003 -- Inside ID: The Identification Solutions Mega Show, today announced the formation of the Expert Advisory Board that will help guide the development of its seminar program. The conference and trade show will be held December 8 to 10, 2003 at the new Washington, DC Convention Center."We are thrilled to have these acknowledged experts sharing their insight with us. This is a true ID dream team," said Conference Chair Ben Miller, who himself has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. "The evolution of the networked society presents a staggering challenge for organizations of all types to know who they are dealing with, whether it is across the counter or across cyberspace." Members of the Expert Advisory Board are:Michael BarrettExpertise: Digital Identity and Information SecurityMichael Barrett is the President of the Liberty Alliance Project, the consortium of over 150 organizations working toward an open standard of secure, private, reliable on-line identity. He is also Vice President of Internet Strategy at American Express. Barry KefauverExpertise: Travel Documents and Credential Security A true expert on secure document production systems, Barry Kefauver is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Passport Services. For over 30 years he has worked on international standards for machine verification of international travel document and biometric measurements.Jeffrey KutlerExpertise: Electronic Commerce and Financial ServicesAuthor and journalist Jeff Kutler has written on technology in finance for more than 20 years. As Executive Editor at American Banker, he was among the first to explore digital cash, e-commerce, and wireless financial applications. He now writes for Institutional Investor. Linda R. LewisExpertise: Identity Management Systems and Credentialing President and CEO of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), Linda Lewis is an expert in licensing systems and related legislative affairs. She is at the forefront of efforts by state administrators and law enforcement to modernize America's most universal identity document, the driver's license.Joel LiskerExpertise: Identity Theft and Financial Crimes Joel Lisker has served as an FBI agent, a trial attorney for the Department of Justice, and Senior Vice President for Security and Risk Management at MasterCard International. He was Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Senate Sub-Committee on Security and Terrorism, and Associate Counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition.Randy V. SabettExpertise: Legal and Information SecurityFormer Department of Defense cryptologist Randy Sabett is now Co-Vice Chair of the American Bar Association's Information Security Committee. At Cooley Godward LLP, he advises high-tech companies on information security, patents, and licensing. He has helped develop digital signature standards and teaches Information Policy at George Washington University.David TemoshokExpertise: Government Identity PolicyDavid Temoshok is Deputy Director of the Federal e-Authentication Program Management Office responsible for developing common authentication services throughout the federal government. He has also served as Director of System Design and Development for the federal Electronic Benefits Transfer Task Force, and as Chairman of the Federal Smart Card Task Force. Ari SchwartzExpertise: Privacy and Public/Private Policy Ari Schwartz is Associate Director of the Center for Democracy and Technology and serves as Chair of the World Wide Web Consortium's Platform for Privacy Practices Policy (P3P). He is also Co-Chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee Task Force on E-Government. David WeitzelExpertise: Digital Identity Management As a Senior Principal at MitreTek Systems, David Weitzel helps guide the federal government in its e-authentication initiative. He has more than 15 years experience in Internet governance and telecommunications infrastructure. He is an attorney and professor of computer science focusing on cyberlaw, privacy and computer crime.The Inside ID conference will help define the emerging discipline of identity management, a critical need for all types of organizations today. The show will feature a 100-booth exhibition and three days of educational programming covering digital identity, identity theft, financial fraud and homeland security.For more information, visit http://www.insideID.com.

How Safe is Phuket For Travel?

Phuket is one of Thailand's most popular tourist destinations, and yet visitor numbers are well down on previous year. The beaches and streets in Phuket are quiet and businesses are beginning to feel the strain. Thailand's political problems have been well documented by the media, so much so that the country is portrayed as being in complete anarchy. Although the problems have been centered in Bangkok, they have impacted Phuket. But what's the reality of the situation? Should tourists be wary of traveling to Phuket?The short answer is "no". For a bit of perspective, Thailand has had numerous problems over the years, from coups to bombings. However, it was only the tsunami that really affected tourism in the long run. Thailand's internal problems usually create a few short-term ripples and the media writes of chaos in the streets, but for people living in Thailand, they will tell you that life goes on as usual.In Phuket, tourism is way down. Hotels are nowhere near full and people on the island are saying that the effect on the industry will be worse in the long term than the tsunami. It's such a dire situation, but it's also completely unnecessary. Travel advisory warnings also don't help.If you were to visit Phuket right now you'd see a peaceful island. There are no more dangers than normal and everything is safe. There's no fighting in the streets and tourists aren't being victimized or attacked. In fact, there's probably never been a better time to visit Phuket because the island is less crowded than usual.The beaches are still there and the popular sites are waiting for visitors to trickle in. Of course, travelers should still exercise the same caution they would when visiting Phuket any time of the year. Traveling alone on a motorcycle at night isn't a good idea and care should be taken when out and about. But don't let the news reports put you off a trip to Phuket.It's a sad state of affairs, but hotel-booking websites have been reporting a huge decline in bookings. The same is true of airlines, who are now throwing out offers left, right and center to entice people to visit Thailand. There are bargains to be snapped up at the moment.So if Phuket is safe for tourists, then what about Bangkok, where most of the trouble has been? There have been protests and airport closures and all sorts. However, unless you had a plane to catch during that time, if you were in Bangkok, you wouldn't have noticed much out of the ordinary other than when you turned on the news. Everything carried on as usual. It always does.After the most recent coup, the tanks and soldiers became a tourist attraction. The resultant protests were mostly jovial affairs with picnics and concerts. Some media reports were speculating that Thailand was about to become a bloodbath, similar to revolutions of the past, but such events didn't materialize.Forums, blogs and phone lines have been inundated with people asking if Phuket is still safe for travel. It is safe, and it likely will be for a long time to come.

Check our Phuket Vogue for the latest information about Phuket parties, Phuket girls and restaurants.

Terrorism Be Careful When Traveling

Terrorism is a challenge of the twenty first century and not only governments but even corporate groups and aid organizations are constantly facing its threat in different parts of the world. Terrorism was not considered as part of the travel insurance plans even for international travelers until recently when westerners became the main targets of the terrorists in other countries. Even harmless tourists and travelers carry risks of being attacked or getting subjected to terrorist hijacking in many countries of the world. These attacks are not randomly made or accidentally carried out. Sometimes, these attacks can be carefully planned and targeted only for certain groups of people. These groups of people can be ordinary citizens from western countries who are traveling across to other regions for merely travel and tourism activities.The increase in terrorist attacks on westerns in other countries of Asia and Africa has brought in the need for introducing holiday insurance that cover suck kinds of attacks as well. The travel insurance companies have introduced holiday insurance plans that also cover insurance from terrorist attacks. But the terrorist attacks also need to be clarified. The travel insurance from terrorist attacks has not yet been standardized by insurance companies around the world. There is still a need for proper definition and procedures involved in insuring people against terrorist attacks. For this reason, such types of insurance services and products are offered, but they are not standardized like other type of insurance coverage packages. In fact, the insurance against terrorist attacks vary from company to company and sometimes, even from one individual to another individual. The travel insurance companies do not issue insurance services to people who travel to countries where the State Department or the Foreign Affairs Ministry has issued a terrorist threat.Even in countries that are conflict prone and not necessarily posing threats from terrorists, the travel insurance companies make a special note of them and state to the insured people that their insurance becomes ineffective if they move to such areas. If there is still a need to travel to conflict-prone areas, either for the purpose of carrying out some research or even for providing aid services, there are different insurance coverage packages and the insurance companies issue them under certain exclusive agreements.Insurance companies also do not cover for every type of terrorist attack. The terrorist attacks can vary from place to place and even from one type to another. There could be random bullet shots or huge bombings and even sometimes, it could be hijacking. The insurance companies provide definitions and clear instructions on each of these attacks and make sure that the insured people take enough precautions before coming under such threats. The insured travelers need to take extra precautions even if they have been insured by the insurance company under specific forms of terrorist attacks. The insurance companies do not provide insurance coverage to people who do not follow the regular travel advisory issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the country.



If you are going on holiday make sure you have Travel Insurance also know as Holiday Insurance because you never know what might happen!

Mitigate Your Corporate Travel Risks!

Corporations are coming under more and more scrutiny in looking after the welfare of their travelling employees. Arguments on whether this is a moral or legal responsibility, how much information is necessary and where is that information going to be obtained is becoming a hot topic in boardrooms around the world with a definite emphasis on North American businesses who have, in the past, been considered to be callous about overall employee safety. Corporate Governance is now a board level committee, employee safety being a key component.Is it okay to send travelers to other parts of the world without providing them adequate up-to-date information on possible political and weather related disasters that could occur on their arrival and during their stay? Is it acceptable to arbitrarily send travelers off to distance lands without the quick and efficient ability to determine where they are and advise them of possible upcoming events? Likewise what information about a traveler's location and whereabouts should a company have available to them in the event of a family or other emergency back home?Obtaining current information on the status of any country, be it political or weather related could and would require an information network that most companies do not want the expense of maintaining nor are really capably of implementing. Coupled with that is the need for an information system that would easily provide the locations and whereabouts of all travelers at any specific moment in time. The need to find a traveler could easily occur on weekends and evenings, outside of a company's normal business hours. Once a company determines that it is in everybody's best interests, company and traveler alike, to have this information, the question becomes how can a company acquire and maintain this much needed information, economically?Travel management companies such as Navigant provide their clients and their clients' travelers with access to up-to-the-minute information on current and potential travel situations and threats. Coupled with this service is the ability to accurately pinpoint the location of all or any specific traveler worldwide, in seconds, through a proprietary online tool.Navigant, with its global network, operating in more than 1,000 locations in 65 countries has the ability to support clients and the clients' travelers in the event of any political or natural disaster. As a Navigant client, the travel advisory and traveler locator services are just a small part of the overall benefits that a company receives that are redefining travel management, and leading to higher business performance.As a Company or as a traveler you can put your trust in Navigant to keep you informed and safe!Robert Berman is a business consultant specializing in business development, strategic planning, acquisitions & mergers and international sales & marketing. He has been a columnist for the National Post Newspaper under the byline of "The Business Doctor" and he has authored "The Business Buyer's Manual". He is available as a keynote speaker in many areas of business. He may be reached at Robert.Berman@businessbuyersmanual.com or visit http://www.businessbuyersmanual.com

Former Spy and Top National Counterterrorism Expert Elsa Lee Warns Travelers To "Keep Your Guard Up" During the East Holidays

Los Angeles, CA April 3, 2004-"The FBI and Department of Homeland Security has sent out warnings this week saying there is uncorroborated information pointing to possible attacks on buses and trains, specifically, near major U.S. cities. CNN is reporting that a bomb found under high-speed rail tracks in Spain today (Friday) appears to be made of the same explosives used in last month's deadly Madrid train attacks, Interior Minister Angel Acebes said.Trains were halted on the Madrid-Seville route Friday after investigators found the bomb in a bag near the town of Villaseca de la Sagra, in Toledo province south of Madrid, officials saidEaster Sunday (April 11, 2004) is a busy travel holiday and one of your priorities should be security planning according to the experts. I"It's so easy to overlook if it's not something people are in the habit of doing. But Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) spokesperson and Counterterrorism Expert Elsa Lee warns to keep alert, even while you're on vacation or traveling during the holidays. For those who are making last minute travel plans, security is even more critical, because their mind more than likely is focused on just making it to the destination said Lee. As for vacation planning it should include security. For example: families traveling overseas should have a three phase action plan. One for pre travel, a second plan while traveling, and a post travel action plan. The FBI and Homeland Security agencies issued these warnings to law enforcement and security personnel throughout the country. "The plot calls for the use of improvised explosive devices possibly constructed of ammonium nitrate (fertilizer) and diesel fuel concealed in luggage and carry-on bags to include duffel bags and backpacks," states the warning, titled, 'Subject: Alleged Plot Against Major U.S. Cities in the Summer of 2004.'" The recent railway attacks in Madrid used plastic explosives concealed in backpacks. The Spain deadly terrorist bombings last month has sparked renewed congressional interest in the nation's only study on threat to a rail system released on the anniversary of 9-11 last year. The study, to see what we've learned since 9-11, was commissioned and published in cooperation with the Orange North-American Trade Rail Access Corridor (OnTrac) Joint Powers Authority and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The study was completed as part of the environmental review process for the Alameda Corridor East strategic rail system that goes through Placentia, California. "Southern California has become the nation's primary gateway for two-way international trade," said Executive Director Christopher Becker, of OnTrac. "The Alameda Corridor East rail lines moved about $116 billion in goods based on the manufacturer's value in 2000. The street value was much higher for these products. The street values of rail cargo traveling on the Alameda Corridor East in 2000 were $166 billion."The study revealed what America has learned since 9-11, and what Homeland Security should address in the near future. The study findings could become a model for California and the rest of the nation."The disruption cost of shutting down the Alameda Corridor East represents a $414 million disruption value each day that it is shut down," said LAEDC Director of Public Policy, Greg Freeman. "The same 10-day disruption would therefore be $4.1 billion. An attack of 30-days duration would see a $12.4 billion disruption cost and go to $24.8 billion if the shutdown of the strategic corridor lasts for 60-days."During terror raids in London this week, officials found and seized 1,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. A group of eight British citizens of Pakistani origins were arrested on suspicion of being involved in possible terrorist attacks.Elsa Lee is one of the few Americans who comprise the United States true-to-form counterterrorism experts. Lee is CEO, President, and founder of Advantage SCI, LLC (www.advantagesci.com) based in Redondo Beach, CA " serving government and private industry clients globally. Lee has 23 years of public and private sector experience in anti-terrorism operations, counterespionage investigations, threat and vulnerability assessments, and information systems security in the United States, Asia, Central America, and Europe. Lee offers tourists and travelers these international safety and security tips: During pre-travel, a family member or companion should conduct a quick scan of news for that region, identify where hospitals are located, make a note of the address and phone number to the nearest US Embassy, and if possible, have an idea of where the police stations are located. Plan to take only the bare essentials. Leave your valuables and non-prescription medications at home. Take clothing that allows you to blend in with the local environment and that does not immediately identify you as an American. You don't know where the terrorist sympathizers are these days so you don't want to become a target or victim of terrorist or criminal activity by showing your patriotism in uncharted territory. Give a copy of your itinerary to a friend or family member and make arrangements to check back in with them when you return from your trip. Let them know when to worry and at what point they should consider taking some form of action.Visit the Department of State website for a travel advisory about the region you're visiting.While in the military, Lee served in the Defense Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), U.S. Army Europe, the Pentagon, U.S. Army Intelligence Center & School, and the Defense Nuclear Agency and is a member of the FBI Los Angeles Infraguard. [Editors: For interviews contact George McQuade at MAYO Communications at: 818.340.5300 or visit www.MayoCommunications.com. For more on LAEDC visit www.laedc.org and more on OnTrac visit http://www.ontrac-jpa.org and for more on Advantage SCI visit www.advantagesci.com.

More Than Travel Insurance - Getting The Ultimate Policy

No one can put a price on peace of mind. We can't always count on our luck to pull us through - especially if we're traveling. It's always more sensible to take out a policy that's more than travel insurance to avoid being inconvenienced by emergencies and unexpected problems.A simple flight delay due to inclement weather, for instance, may not bother you that much if it's just a few minutes or so. But what if you're forced to spend the night in a strange city, and you can't really afford to spend extra? You'll need something more than travel insurance.Consider another scenario - say you have a speaking engagement out of town and you've lost your baggage. They're just a few clothes and shoes, sure, but what if it's the only bag you brought along? And you haven't got a change of clothes? More than travel insurance, you need to be covered for loss of personal effects and other important belongings such as your laptop, iPhone, or cell phone. It would be nothing short of a disaster if you didn't even take the time to buy something more than travel insurance.If you're considering a policy that's more than travel insurance, you should also look into vaccinations that are required when traveling to other countries, such as malaria shots. A quick check on the Internet will help you get information on Health Insurance Cards and what they cover.In addition, read travel advisories about health issues in the country you plan to go to, and you'll find out why you'd need more than travel insurance.Contacting companies such as On CALL International is a must if you need more than travel insurance. They offer 24/7 travel assistance year-round, with services ranging from concierge and finance services to customized medical and travel insurance.Established in 1995, On CALL International's more than travel insurance is offered to provide a solution to travel problems such as being subjected to inferior medical care or dealing with legal problems in foreign countries. More than getting ordinary travel insurance, On CALL International provides a plethora of unique services such as medical monitoring, emergency medical transportation of up to a million dollars, dispatches of physicians and nurses, and evacuation to a facility of your choice.They also offer one-of-a-kind services such as the use of interpreters or translators, legal referrals, and assistance on lost travel documents. This type of service is definitely more than travel insurance - it's like taking your own professional staff with you wherever you go.

7 Secrets To Travel Safe On Your Next Vacation

You've got the plane ticket, the hotel reservation, the itinerary. But have you given any thought or taken any steps to protect your health and safety? The worst thing that can happen is that you spend your vacation in a hospital or bring home a weird, exotic virus that has you bedridden for weeks.You also want to avoid theft, mugging, or worst, terrorist attacks. Your resort may call itself an "island paradise" but let's not be nave and assume everyone is as friendly as they look in the brochures. Be smart. Prepare, make informed decisions, especially if you're traveling with your family. This vacation is supposed to be funand you can do your part by preventing most disasters.1. Check Travel AdvisoriesYour embassy will list places that they recommend "caution" or right-out tell you to stay away from altogether. This could be because of a tense political situation, or a low level of security in underdeveloped areas. But also take advisories with some degree of salt. You can safely assume that the capitals and major cities of a country will be more tourist friendly, since governments would've probably taken great efforts to develop them. The exception, of course, are countries going through civil warin which case, read the international newspapers (or the web-version of their local English paper) to see how bad it really is.2. Get VaccinatedSome viruses that are relatively rare in your country may proliferate in the climate of anotherand you don't have the natural antibodies to fight them. Get the full range of vaccines (your embassy website will also recommend which ones you really need, depending on here you want to go).3. Bring Medicines and Prescriptions Ask your doctor for two copies of your prescriptions (carry one in your wallet, and leave one in your luggage). Also bring enough anti histamines (for allergies) or any maintenance vitamins or medications. Asthmatics should carry have a nebulizerespecially since attacks can be triggered by change in climate or physical exertion (you never know how much walking you'll be doing during the tour).4. Never Flaunt Your ValuablesWearing your Rolex or flashing large amounts of money practically screams "Rob me!" to the pickpockets. Keep small bills and change in your belt bag for easy access (these are for entrance fees, cab fares, snacks). Keep larger bills in a zippered pocket. To be very safe, divide the money and distribute it among several pocketsat least, even if you do get robbed, you still have something left.Another tip: bring only what you need for that day and leave the rest in the hotel safety deposit box. 5. Travel in GroupsThis is unfamiliar land, and you may not even speak the local language. So stick together (at least divide into pairs), especially at night. 6. Ask the Hotel Receptionist/Travel Agent Which Places to AvoidBefore exploring the area, get a list of places known for its crime rate, or streets that tend to get dark after a particular hour. Identify the areas on a map and avoid accordingly.7. Tell the Hotel Receptionist Where You Are Going This is very important if you are going skiing, hiking, or participating in any activity where there is a risk of getting lost or injured. Name how many people will be in your party and what time they can expect you. Then, they can alert authorities if you have not returned.

Planning of Doing Some International Travel Over the Holidays?

[shudder]. No really, a little EQ - managing the attitude, and using the ole noggin' can make it almost pleasant!1. Pack your patience and your Emotional Intelligence.Turn down the emotiong, turn up the forethought. Example - research your destination on the Internet prior for websites where individuals (not paid interests) can tell you what you can ^anticipate^.2. Pre-arrange everything you possibly can " air, hotel, car, restaurant, attractions, plays. 3. Make copies of your passport, traveler's checques, credit cards, itinerary, and airline tickets. Carry one copy with you and leave one copy with your designated emergency-contact.4. Carry with you the address and phone number of your country's embassy (consulate) for each country you'll visit.5. Take any regular medication in your hand luggage and be sure you have more than enough for your trip. (Remember needles and scissors can't be in hand luggage.)6. Check the US State Dept. advisories, www.travelstate.gov, before your go for immunizations, hazards and other pertinent information; the Overseas Security Advisory Council, www.ds-osac.org, and the Transportation Security Administration site, www.tsatraveltips.us.7. You'll know you'll be eaiting, so use your EQ and figure out how to make it A Good Thing. Use e-ticket and online checkin when you can. Bring along that book you've been meaning to read Bring a pre-paid phone call and catch up with buddies Bring a neck pillow and plan to catch up on your rest Dress appropriately for sitting or lying around an airport for a long time " loose clothing that can be abused8. Use your neocortex when you pack, not your brain-stem. (You KNOW the rules, abide by them! Exorcize from the brain-stem another time, another place.) Pack carry-ons lightly so they can be checked more easily Check the checked baggage allowance and be sure your name and contact details are on the outside of each bag Avoid packing anything that looks like a weapon (guide " anything you wouldn't give an 18 mo. old free access to " nail file, letter opener, knitting needle, and the more obvious hand grenades) When traveling to and from North America, TSA recommends not locking checked baggage Check here www.tsa.dot.gov for common items which become hazardous in flight due to temperature changes and pressure, and don't pack them.9. Be sure you have a valid passport and any required Visas and be prepared to show them at any point along the way.10. Know the rules of security checkpoints and abide by them. Only ticketed passengers can proceed beyond it All electronic items will be screened " laptops and cells. Remove laptop from travel case. Keep ticket and boarding pass and ID within easy reach " like on neck chain Wear shoes easy to remove and as little jewelry as possibleP.S. Here's a tip from a seasoned traveler. You KNOW you're going to be buying things, and possibly taking home gifts, so pack some clothes that are ready for Goodwill and that you can deposit in another country's "Goodwill" to leave space in your bags for the return trip.Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc, sdunn@susandunn.cc . Would you like to be an EQ coach? We offer training and certification, long distance, no residency requirement. Rigorous programme plus products available for licensing that will prepare you to launch your practice in this fast-growing new field. http://www.eqcoach.net .Email us for FREE eZine, mor info.

Planning on Doing Some International Travel Over the Holidays?

[shudder]. No really, a little EQ - managing the attitude, andusing the ole noggin' can make it almost pleasant!1. Pack your patience and your Emotional Intelligence.Turn down the emotions, turn up the forethought. Example -research your destination on the Internet prior for websiteswhere individuals (not paid interests) can tell you what you can^anticipate^.2. Pre-arrange everything you possibly can - air, hotel, car,restaurant, attractions, plays. 3. Make copies of your passport,traveler's checques, credit cards, itinerary, and airlinetickets. Carry one copy with you and leave one copy with your designatedemergency-contact.4. Carry with you the address and phone number of your country'sembassy (consulate) for each country you'll visit.5. Take any regular medication in your hand luggage and be sureyou have more than enough for your trip. (Remember needles andscissors can't be in hand luggage.)6. Check the US State Dept. advisories, www.travelstate.gov,before your go for immunizations, hazards and other pertinentinformation; the Overseas Security Advisory Council,www.ds-osac.org, and the Transportation Security Administrationsite, www.tsatraveltips.us.7. You'll know you'll be waiting, so use your EQ and figure outhow to make it A Good Thing. Use e-ticket and online checkin when you can. Bring alongthat book you've been meaning to read Bring a pre-paid phonecall and catch up with buddies Bring a neck pillow and plan tocatch up on your rest Dress appropriately for sitting or lyingaround an airport for a long time - loose clothing that can beabused8. Use your neocortex when you pack, not your brain-stem. (YouKNOW the rules, abide by them! Exorcize from the brain-stemanother time, another place.) Pack carry-ons lightly so they can be checked more easily Check the checked baggage allowance and be sure your name andcontact details are on the outside of each bag Avoid packinganything that looks like a weapon (guide - anything you wouldn'tgive a toddler free access to - nail file, letter opener,knitting needle, and the more obvious hand grenades) Whentraveling to and from North America, TSA recommends not lockingchecked baggage Check here www.tsa.dot.gov for common itemswhich become hazardous in flight due to temperature changes andpressure, and don't pack them.9. Be sure you have a valid passport and any required Visas andbe prepared to show them at any point along the way.10. Know the rules of security checkpoints and abide by them. Only ticketed passengers can proceed beyond it Allelectronic items will be screened - laptops and cells. Removelaptop from travel case. Keep ticket and boarding pass and IDwithin easy reach - like on neck chain Wear shoes easy toremove and as little jewelry as possibleP.S. Here's a tip from a seasoned traveler. You KNOW you'regoing to be buying things, and possibly taking home gifts, sopack some clothes that are ready for Goodwill and that you candeposit in another country's "Goodwill" to leave space in yourbags for the return trip.

How To Know When You Should Buy International Travel Medical Insurance!

Many international travelers today don't think they need international travel medical insurance because they don't realize their company insurance, travel insurance or personal medical insurance may not be valid outside of the United States. And this goes for government-funded health insurance too. Check to see what your health insurance or travel medical insurance policies cover. Make sure to read the fine print and the exclusion clauses.Most comprehensive insurance policies offer three types of coverage - financial reimbursement for trip cancellation or lost baggage, medical coverage and emergency medical transportation and they differ from standard travel insurance policies. The cost of international travel health insurance policies depends on the type of coverage you need, your destination, your age and gender and the cost of the trip.International trips or trips abroad are generally more expensive so you should consider getting additional insurance for any trip outside of the mainland USA, especially one with nonrefundable deposits.There are a number of unforeseen circumstances that can interrupt your vacation or even cancel it, such as an unexpected illness, bad weather, a sudden death in your family or even a job change or jury duty that you can't leave.Any time that you have nonrefundable deposits or purchases you should have travel insurance. You should consider buying international travel medical insurance if you have invested a lot of money in your vacation or if you can't cover any unexpected medical costs or emergency costs at you arrival destination. If you're traveling by yourself or with your family at an additional cost to you or if you're traveling to areas that have known catastrophic events such as natural disasters, extreme political turmoil or health advisories, you should have international travel medical insurance. Or if you have an existing medical condition that is cause for concern, then by all means get insured properly.You don't want to be sitting in a hospital emergency room in another country and find out that you're not covered by any of your other insurance policies. And Medicare doesn't cover any eligible U.S. citizen traveling in Canada or Mexico either.One of the most important reasons to buy international travel medial insurance is for getting emergency transportation out of an undeveloped country and into a country with proper medical facilities. It can easily cost $20,000 to get airlifted out of a foreign country. International travel medical insurance may seem cheap after an experience like this.Oftentimes people think when they have travel insurance that they are fully covered for international travel or they think they are covered on their health insurance policy for medical expenses. This is usually not true.Make sure to read your existing policies thoroughly especially the fine print and the EXCLUSION clauses to fully understand what you have and don't have. There is a big difference between travel insurance policies and international travel insurance policies. And make sure to get several quotes to get the best low cost international travel insurance. It's important to think ahead and it can be a tough decision for some but you can't buy international travel medical insurance when you NEED it!