WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to the summer travel season, and State Department experts want to make sure Americans plan the safest trip possible, especially when headed overseas.
Higher fuel prices are not stopping families from keeping their vacation plans this summer.
“Number one priority is to ensure that American citizens are always looked after, taking care of if they need our support,” said Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar.
When planning a vacation, there’s a lot to consider: the cost of hotels, taking PTO, the dreaded packing. But when traveling outside the United States, experts hope part of that to-do list includes doing research and following guidelines.
Namdar said it’s as easy as 1, 2, 3.
First, get your passport squared away as soon as the travel bug bites — a recommended six months before you take flight, especially if the expiration date is within a year.
“As soon as you know you want to travel, I would advise getting your passport either processed or renewed,” Namdar said.
Then, pick where you want to go, using resources on the State Department’s website to guarantee your next travel destination is safe and you know what to do in case of an emergency.
“Make sure that you check out travel.state.gov and look at any travel advisories. Plan ahead. Ensure that you know where the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, in case you need our support,” Namdar said.
The final step is to enroll in STEP, a way to get alerts and updates sent straight to your phone.
With airfare and rentals skyrocketing, another option is staying home or at least in your home country — using major summer events like America 250 and the World Cup to turn your summer vacation into a cross-country adventure with no passport needed.
“It’s also a great time to enjoy the United States,” Namdar said.
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