China

With a population close to 1.5 billion people, China is becoming a leading internatinal producer and consumer. If you are wanting to open a business or franchise in China, then I would recommend checking The Federation of International Trade Associations www.fita.com. You can find useful business, commerce and trade information for establishing private and public businesses within China.


While you are in China, here are 10 Cultural Blunders to Avoid in Beijing!
by Terri Morrison, Copyright 2008 all rights reserved

In honor of the Olympics, Terri Morrison, co- author of Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: Asia - How to Do Business in 12 Asian Countries offers you some guidelines for bringing home your own gold from China!

1) Do Not Greet Your Chinese Contacts with a Hug!Chinese people generally do not like being touched by people they do not know. This is especially important to remember when dealing with older people, or people in important positions.

2) Do Not Kiss your Significant Other in Public!The Chinese disapprove of public displays of affection between people of the opposite sex. You can hold hands with someone of your own sex, but don’t get cozy with the opposite gender!

3) Do Not Call your Chinese Client by the Wrong Name!Chinese name order is the reverse of English – the last name comes first. So if you meet President Hu Jin Tao, the President of China, don’t call him “President Tao” (like one U.S. dignitary did!). Tao is the President's first name, and you should not use it unless invited to do so! He should be addressed as President Hu.

4) Do Not Write the Date Wrong!The Chinese write the date differently than most North Americans. If you receive an invitation for 09/10/08 – that means October 8th, 2009 – not September 10th, 2008! The year comes first, then the month, then the day in China.

5) Do Not Be Late! Never be late - Punctuality is very important in China, not only for business meetings, but for social occasions as well. Lateness or a cancellation is a serious affront.

6) Do Not Get Angry at Delays!Experienced travelers avow that patience is the most important skill needed to do business in China. The Chinese are very good at figuring out when a foreigner is under pressure from a tight deadline, and they will turn that to their advantage during negotiations. Overt emotions are not considered an asset to doing business in China; if you are unable to manage your feelings, how will you be able to manage complex contractual obligations?

7) Do Not Hold your Meetings in Room 4!Numbers hold special significance for the Chinese. The number 4 is unlucky – it has connotations of death, and is avoided by many Asians. On the other hand, the number 8 is extremely auspicious, and the opening moment of the Olympics was consciously selected to be a series of six 8s: 8 seconds past 8:08 on August (8) 8th, 2008. The Chinese will carefully consider the day and hour of an occasion before scheduling it.

8) Do Not Discuss Politics, Religion, or the Falun Gong!There are many unwritten rules of behavior in China, and websites have been brought down over content that the Chinese government considers an “ideological threat.” Avoid controversial topics, never compare your government system to the Chinese, and focus on learning about the wonderful achievements of this 4,000 year old culture.

9) Do Not Refuse to East the Cicadas, Starfish, or Scorpions on a Stick!If your host eats it, you should too! Eating together is an important event – banquets are often considered a type of gift. Delicacies are subjective, and being squeamish about eating the seahorses will not make a good impression on your Chinese associates. If your host eats it, you should too!

10) Do Not Wrap your Gifts in White Paper!The color white is associated with funerals. Never wrap gifts in white, or give white flowers, or send white limos to pick up your Chinese guests.

Excerpted from Kiss, Bow or Shake Hands: Asia by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway.

Travel Sticker Shock!

Budgeting a business trip, honeymoon, vacation or flight is almost impossible with the ever new and increasing surplus fees and taxes. Even is you use frequent flier miles, there is usually "convenient fees" for reserving your tickets. And of course if you arrive at the airport with more than 1 large bag, then you'll probably get popped an additional $25 to $50. Get hungry on your interstate flight and you'll spend an additional $5 for a "light snack."

The "hidden" fees go on and on once you land and the car rental asks if you want to add the liability insurance waiver, GPS and gasoline.

The fees don't stop there. Traveling to a metropolitan city, then plan to spend $8 - $20 per day to park your rental car and an additional $10 per day to use WiFi. Need some extra cash, most hotels don't cash checks anymore, but have ATM's in the lobbies which charge you $1.50 to $3 per transaction.

I found an excellent resource you can download which lists all the airline fees. You can download the "Ultimate Guide to Airline Fees" Here and you can download the "Ultimate Guide to Frequent Flier Fees" Here.

Job-loss policies let travelers book without fear

Airlines, Cruise Ships and Tour Operators are copying what the auto industry has started and offering Job Loss Protection. Some companies are offering in the form of trip cancellation insurance and some are offering it as a part of a Guarantee. Check with your travel supplier. Here are a few tips on how to choose a travel insurance policy:

• Always be clear about the cost of a travel insurance policy, as well as the claims process. And if you're not sure what is and is not covered, ask specific questions.
• There's a time sensitivity issue with many travel insurance policies: Often you need to purchase job loss coverage within a certain window (e.g., 14 days) from when you place the initial trip deposit.
• Before you buy a travel policy, run a quick check on the insurance company. If it is not a member of USTIA, visit the Better Business Bureau. In addition, you may want to visit A.M. Best, a credit rating organization for insurance firms.
• Always use a charge card when buying any type of travel product, so you can be protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act.

Read More...

If you want to insure your travel investment from loss of job or for any reason, then check out the Roundtrip Travel Insurance policy.

How To Choose the Best Credit Card for Traveling Overseas

Anyone who has traveled overseas and used their credit card usually occurs additional fees.

When you use a credit card outside the US, your charge will normally be in the currency of the country you're visiting. When that charge goes through the system and reaches your bank, most US banks still tack their own surcharges onto the standard 1% charged by the international networks. This is essentially for doing nothing, because the charge is already in US dollars by the time your bank receives it: The bank adds the 2% because it can, out of pure greed.

Fortunately, a few banks do not add a surcharge. Here are current charges for some of the larger card issuers:

American Express: 2.7 percent
Bank of America: 3 percent
Barclaycard/Juniper: 2 to 3 percent
Capital One: 0 percent
Citibank/Diners: 3 percent
Diners Club: 3 percent
HSBC: 3% (most)
JP Morgan Chase: 3% (most)
US Bank: 3 percent
USAA: 1 percent
Wells Fargo: 3 percent

From USA Today

As you can see, the fees can be substantial. My advice is is you are going to be traveling abroad and plan to use your credit card, then contact your bank and find out what fees they charge. If you frequently travel internationally then I would recommend applying for a Capital One credit card.

From my experience, in addition to your bank fees, most vendors will charge an additional fee for credit card terminal and processing fees. An overseas credit card purchase can be 5 - 10% more due to using plastic.

How to avoid the above fees...

1. You can ask the vendor to bill in US Dollars. Be aware of the exchange rate so you're not overcharged.
2. Pay in local currency

For more info regarding using credit or debit cards overseas, check out this article from USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/travel/deals/inside/2009-05-21-best-overseas-credit-card_N.htm?csp=34

JetBlue extends refund plan for laid-off customers

JetBlue Airways said Monday it is extending its refund program for customers who lose their jobs after buying tickets.

The program is part of an effort to persuade customers to book early as demand continues to suffer amid the recession. Air travel customers are waiting longer to book flights or not flying at all as economic worries mount.

Jet Blue is currently having a Summer Sale. Visit http://www.jetblue.com/

If you have secure employment but concerned about other unforeseen emergencies that could prevent you from enjoying your trip, then check our the Roundtrip travel insurance policy which features trip cancellation reimbursement for personal illness, family emergency, weather, natural disaster, bankruptcy and much more. Visit www.worldwidemedical.com/home for a quote.

CDC Travel Health Warning for Novel H1N1 Flu in Mexico Removed

CDC’s Travel Health Warning recommending against non-essential travel to Mexico, in effect since April 27, 2009, has now been downgraded to a Travel Health Precaution for Mexico.

Visit www.CDC.gov for more information regarding H1N1 Swine Flu travel warnings.

10 great places for runners to hit the road

For all your avid runners, the USA Today has a top ten places for marathoners. Marathons have become a destination for US citizens as well as foreign visitors.

My personal goal is the PF Changs Rock - n - Roll Marathon. Take a look at the results and you'll find many foreign athlethes competing and finishing in the top ten. If are not a US Citizen and are desiring to visit the US and run in these races, then check out purchasing visitors health insurance specifically designed to insure foreign nationals coming to the US.

Border crossings ready for new rules

A new initiative requires everyone entering the country to have specialized documents that prove who they are and where they're ... Read More

It sounds like this will affect travelers crossing the Mexico and Canadian borders. We'll see if it causes longer border crossing wait times or if the new identification system will make crossing more efficient.

If you need more information regarding Visa and ID requirements, then please contact us at info@globalcitizeninsurance.com

10 free things to do in Europe this summer

If you're taking advantage of the relatively strong dollar this year by heading to Europe, you'll be looking for ways to save ... Read More

sandemans-new.com gives a free three hour walking tour of Prague and if your a German car enthusiast, then you have to check out the free Porsche factory tour.

With all the uncertainty with the Swine Flu, unemployment and lay offs, weather delays and the possibility of natural disasters or political unrest I would recommend checking out a comprehensive travel insurance policy to reduce the financial risks of these potential problems.

Relocating and Your Budget

A Mercer distributed a report ranking the most expensive cities in the world based on currency movements. Moscow, Russia ranked the highest and Tokyo was second. Many economic factors affect the cost of living in a geographical region, province or state and city. A few factors that can help you determine if a location is affordable is:

1. Average cost of property value per sqare meter
2. Average cost of rental per square meter
3. Cost of energy (petrolium, utilities, etc..)
4. Average median salary
5. Cost of public and private medical care
6. Income, local and government taxes
7. Gross national product(ivity)

Don't let the cost of a metropolitan city discourage you as you will find outlying cities, burroghs and suburban districts offer a lower cost of living. One of the most important factors is health care. For example, if you desire to immigrate to relocate to the U.S., then you have to consider budgeting medical insurance as the U.S. only provides health insurance under certain criteria. For more information regarding health insurance for non US Citizens, visit www.immigrationhealth.com.

For a list of three different international cost of living surveys, visit http://www.citymayors.com/features/cost_survey.html.

More International Job Seeker Information

The FITA International Job Career Headquarters offers hundreds of international career opportunities. International job seekers can post their resumes for free and employers can list openings at a very low cost. Read More

Another Reason to Purchase Low Cost Trip Delay Insurance

Passengers on an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles were detained for several hours in Tokyo after Japanese officials held them for flu test ... READ MORE

You can get a free travel insurance and trip cancellation quote from Nationwide at www.worldwidemedical.com/home.

Keeping Kids Healthy Away From Home

Sure the swine flu news is making us nervous — very nervous — just when millions of us are planning our much-needed summer vacations. But that doesn’t mean we should grab the kids and huddle under the covers.

We just have to plan — and travel — smart. So far more than 90 cases have been reported in the United States with the first U.S. death reported Wednesday. The World Health Organization, which has upgraded the influenza alert level, says that given the widespread presence of the virus, current focus should be on “mitigation measures” and urges those who are ill to delay international travel and for those developing symptoms after an international trip to seek medical attention.

Of course, if we are smart, we’re going to avoid “nonessential travel” to Mexico, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now recommended. (For the latest information, visit www.cdc.gov/travel.)

No need to panic if you have already booked a trip to Mexico. The airlines are waiving change fees and cruise lines are temporarily diverting ships. You should be able to either reschedule or get a refund without penalty for your hotel too.

With every resort offering incredible deals this summer, you shouldn’t have trouble finding an alternate destination for some fun in the sun with the kids.

At the same time, it’s unclear if everyone is heeding the advice of health experts. Tim Smith, spokesman for American Airlines, says the airline is continuing to operate its normal schedule of 42 daily flights to Mexico. “No agency has asked us to reduce our schedule, though we obviously will continue to monitor demand.” Smith noted that the volume of calls from customers seeking to change their Mexico itineraries has been far less than during a severe weather event.

The most important thing, of course, is to do all you can to keep the gang healthy wherever you’re going.

“Watch the news, since swine flu is an international problem affecting numerous countries,” urges Dr. David Tayloe, the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (http://www.aap.org/), who has traveled widely with his own four children. Strict hand washing — for at least a minute — is key, Dr. Tayloe adds. “Bring hand sanitizer,” adds Atlanta pediatrician and parenting author Dr. Jennifer Shu, editor of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ book on baby and child health. “Teach kids not to touch their faces and avoid sick people.” “The goal is to avoid crowds and close contact,” says Dr. Meg Fisher, the chairman of the department of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center and an infectious
disease expert for the Academy of Pediatrics.

If you are flying, use common sense — keep your distance from people who are coughing, sneezing or who appear ill. Check out the Plane Clean Air Filter, a compact gadget that attaches to the passenger’s overhead nozzle that promises to remove viruses and bacteria from the air stream.

At present, the use of masks in airports and other crowded places is not recommended, says Dr. William Schaffner, chief of preventive medicine at
Vanderbilt Medical Center and spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of
America. “A sick person could use the mask to reduce the risk of infecting
others,” he explains. “It is unclear whether the use of such surgical masks will
help prevent a person from acquiring infection from others.”

Also, to provide any protection, masks must be used properly. They must cover both the mouth and nose. According to Dr. Fisher, however, young children will probably not take kindly to wearing masks. Adults either, she notes, as many find them uncomfortable.” (via http://www.cnn.com/) by Eileen Ogintz

Now let's take a deep breath and not panic. If you are concerned about getting ill, then let our Travel Gap travel medical insurance plan give you PEACE OF MIND. Receive current travel alerts for your destination and when you travel, know that you have access to quality medical care with a quick telephone call.

U.S. airlines cutting service to Mexico

Most of the largest U.S. airlines said Friday they will temporarily reduce service to Mexico, as swine flu fears keeps many U.S. ... READ MORE

What Travelers Should Know About the Swine Flu from the NY Times

“As countries around the world look for the right balance between keeping
their citizens safe from the swine flu and avoiding undue alarm, international
travelers are facing two issues.

The first and more obvious is personal
safety: is this a time to stay home and not risk any unnecessary travel,
particularly to Mexico? The second is the potential for an unfriendly welcome
abroad, as some countries begin to look askance at anyone with the sniffles who
shows up at their borders.


Although swine flu cases have now been confirmed in seven countries,
and possible cases are being investigated in several more, the focus for
Americans remains overwhelmingly on the possible dangers of traveling in Mexico.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans forgo
all “nonessential travel” there (wwwn.cdc.gov/travel), and travel companies are
giving breaks to travelers who want to cancel reservations.


Many airlines, including American, Continental, Delta, JetBlue, United
and U.S. Airways, have relaxed their ticketing policies for travel to Mexico so
that passengers who had trips scheduled can postpone them or change plans
without change fees or penalties. Hotels, including Starwood Hotels and Resorts
Worldwide, and online travel agencies like Orbitz.com said they would waive
penalties for canceling or changing hotel reservations in Mexico.


Some nations, particularly in Asia, are tightening their borders and
immigration controls, and American travelers, along with Mexicans, are finding
themselves objects of suspicion. Health officers at three Japanese airports were
being deployed Tuesday to check passengers before they got off flights from
Mexico, Canada and the United States. Travelers suspected of having the flu
would be quarantined and examined further at medical facilities, news agencies
reported, citing the Japanese health minister.


At least eight other countries in Asia were checking airline passengers
arriving from North America, and China was tightening land border checks as
well. Hong Kong, Taiwan and Russia were set to quarantine passengers suspected
of having the flu. The outbreak of the swine flu virus, which is believed to
spread in the same way as the seasonal flu - from person to person through
coughing or sneezing - is raising questions about the cleanliness of the air in
airplane cabins. The Association of Flight Attendants is calling for carriers to
provide plastic gloves and masks to crew members, as it did during the outbreak
of SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, in 2003, said Corey Caldwell, an
association spokeswoman.


Most of Boeing’s airplanes have air filtration systems with “similar
performance to those used to keep the air clean in hospitals, operating rooms
and industrial clean rooms,” according to Jim Proulx, a Boeing spokesman. “These
filters are very effective at trapping microscopic particles as small as
bacteria and viruses,” Mr. Proulx continued. “All Boeing production airplanes
have HEPA filters, which are effective at capturing greater than 99 percent of
the airborne microbes in the filter air. ” (via mobile.nytimes.com ) By MICHELLE
HIGGINS

Air Security International

Produced in partnership with ASI Group, The Global Citizen International Health Insurance Security Profiles are specifically designed for the international traveler. These up-to-date reports contain critical information about terrorism, crime, kidnapping, and political stability. In addition, the reports contain important practical information, including cultural tips and the status of telephone service in the country. All of our Global Citizen clients can access these profiles at no additional charge.

Knowledge is key to prevention and preparation.