In an effort to encourage us to be safe when traveling both domestically and abroad the museum offers these tips:
- Provide your family or a close friend with your itinerary, all travel information and contacts. Write down important contact numbers that you will need, in the event your cell phone gets lost or stolen.
- Pay attention to your environment, and make a point to always be aware of your surroundings, and not become distracted, which will put you at risk. It’s important to be alert at all times.
- Know your surroundings and stay in control of every situation. Look and act confident, like you know where you are going. Do not look lost or confused; simply look for a person in authority or business where you can ask for directions.
- Do not discuss travel plans, your room number, or any other personal information in public within earshot of strangers.
- Never flash your money in public. Exchange funds with reputable and recognized exchangers only.
- Watch for scams on the street. Children working with adults are notorious as pickpockets.
- Avoid public demonstrations and other civil disturbances.
- Always visit Department of State website for information regarding which country you will be visiting. They provide safety tips and share information about what crime issues tourists may encounter there.
- Learn the emergency number for the country you are visiting, because 9-1-1 does not apply worldwide.
Alcatraz East recently honored Natalee Holloway, the young woman who went missing on a trip to Aruba with her high school friends. They hope that their museum and the safety information and missing person;'s information they share will be educational, raise awareness of this tragedy, and help find missing loved ones.
Note from the U.S. Department of State
Traveling overseas can be exciting, especially when you've planned ahead for the trip. The U.S. Department of State wants you to know that effective January 22, 2018, air travelers with identification that does not meet the REAL ID Act requirements, and whose state does not have an extension must present an alternative form of identification in order to board a domestic flight. Examples of acceptable forms of identification include U.S. military or dependent ID, DHS trusted traveler cards, airline or airport-issued ID, passport book or passport card, or federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID.
Plan Your Visit To Alcatraz East
Alcatraz East is located at the entrance to The Island, at 2757 Parkway in Pigeon Forge, near the Margaritaville Hotel and Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen. For ticket information and current exhibits visit their website at www.alcatrazeast.com.
The Crime Museum also offers insightful Domestic and International Travel Tips on their website
Visit the U.S. Department of State for Worldwide Caution information, and current travel requirements.
Photo Credits: U.S. Department of State