Fast-paced urban life brings immense pressure. People yearn to escape the noise and restlessness, seeking a moment of peace for their mind and body, making short holidays especially precious. Shedding the "armor" and enjoying sunshine and foreign cultures abroad has become a popular trend in recent years. However, the reality of being in a foreign land isn't always as idyllic as "poetry and distance." Language barriers and cultural differences mean unexpected mishaps are common—thousands of outbound trips can lead to a thousand different kinds of trouble. So, what should you do when facing problems during independent travel? Travel experts recommend that travelers purchase appropriate insurance based on their actual situations before departure and may also apply for emergency rescue services if necessary.
Independent outbound travel becomes a new fashion; three major issues affect the travel experience
In 2016, the number of Chinese outbound tourists reached 122 million, retaining the global top spot for outbound travel volume. Among the vast traveling population, the post-80s and post-90s generations have gradually become the main force, and "independent travel" has also become the most popular way to travel.
Independent travelers can plan their itineraries and modes of travel according to their preferences, offering flexibility and freedom. But with greater autonomy comes increased uncertainty, and travelers have to bear the risks of property loss and personal injury on their own. Surveys from relevant travel agencies show that wallet theft, passport loss, luggage damage, flight delays, and physical discomfort are among the most common problems encountered by Chinese tourists during outbound trips.
Just last summer, Mr. Wang encountered a major issue while traveling. He and his companion were staying in an Italian homestay when they were victims of a burglary, resulting in tens of thousands of yuan in financial losses and the loss of important documents such as passports. After the incident, Mr. Wang reported it to the police immediately and spent a whole day dealing with the situation, but was unable to recover the losses. Later, he had to go through the tedious process of reporting the loss and applying for new passports, which severely disrupted his original travel plans. Similarly, Miss Ma, who traveled to Japan, faced misfortune when she suffered from acute gastroenteritis due to an inability to adapt to the local environment and irregular eating habits. Neither she nor her companion spoke Japanese, and the locals didn’t understand English, so language barriers made seeking medical help a complicated process. Fortunately, they were helped by a local Chinese person in a critical moment and managed to turn the situation around.
Overseas travel protection goes with you; 24-hour emergency rescue is always on standby
Traveling abroad is a journey to explore foreign customs, food, religion, and other cultures. Yet, the exploration of culture is not always smooth sailing and instead carries unknown risks. A representative from a certain travel agency suggests that tourists purchase appropriate overseas travel insurance before their trip and choose short-term or medium- to long-term insurance based on the frequency and duration of their outbound travels to ensure their health and safety.
Taking the global travel insurance offered by PICC as an example, this insurance provides 13 types of coverage, including medical expense compensation, flight delays, and lost checked baggage, and also includes access to 24-hour emergency rescue services. In case of emergencies abroad, such as lost documents or physical discomfort, you can immediately call PICC’s 24-hour bilingual rescue hotline at 86-400-650-5913 to receive international medical and travel rescue services.
At the same time, the representative also emphasized that the primary role of insurance is to transfer risk and cannot eliminate safety hazards. Therefore, when facing higher risks in overseas travel, travelers should take preventive measures, prepare adequately in advance, and act within their means.