Traveler’s Checklist

A trip requires careful planning.  Listed below are important steps you can take to prepare for a safe trip anywhere outside the United States. In addition, you can search for your destination to view more specific information about that country or area.

Getting There

Be Aware of Any Travel Alerts and Warnings for Your Destination

The State Department issues Travel Warnings to recommend postponing travel to a country because of widespread civil unrest, dangerous conditions, terrorist activity or, in some cases, because the U.S. has no diplomatic relations with the country and may have great difficulty in assisting U.S. citizens in distress. Travel Alerts disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats or other relatively short-term or transnational conditions that could pose significant risks to you and affect your travel plans. U.S. embassies and consulates send out security or emergency messages to alert U.S. citizens to fast-breaking events, such as demonstrations, coups, approaching storms, and crime.

The Department of State urges U.S. citizens living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  When you enroll in STEP, we can update you with important safety and security announcements.  Enrolling will also make it easier for the embassy or consulate to contact you in the event of an emergency.  You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date; it is particularly important when you enroll or update your information to include a current phone number and e-mail address.

Do You Have All Required Travel Documents?

Most U.S. citizens must use a U.S. passport to travel overseas and reenter the United States. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies your identity and citizenship. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to issue U.S. passports.

Most foreign countries require a valid passport to enter and leave. Some countries may allow you to enter with only a birth certificate, or with a birth certificate and a driver’s license, but all persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air, must present a valid passport to reenter the United States.

If you are traveling by land or sea, you must provide evidence of bothyour U.S. citizenship and your identity when you reenter the United States. For many land or sea trips this means you can travel using the new U.S. passport card instead of the normal passport book.  Read more about U.S. passport requirements.

What about your children?  Some countries have instituted requirements to help prevent child abductions and may require travelers to present proof of relationship to the children and evidence of consent from any non-accompanying parent(s).  Visit our child abduction country information pages for information about your destination.

When does your passport expire? Some countries require that a traveler’s passport be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of the trip. Contact the embassy of your foreign destination for more information. Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found in our Country Specific Information pages.

Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

Make sure you have the contact information for the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you are going. Consular duty personnel are available for emergency assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at U.S. embassies, consulates, and consular agencies overseas and in Washington, D.C. Contact information for U.S. embassies, consulates, and consular agencies overseas may be found in our Country Specific Information pages. If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency at home or if they are worried about your welfare, they should call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). The State Department will relay the message to the consular officers in the country where you are.  The consular officers will then try to locate you, pass on any urgent messages, and, if you wish, report back to your family on your welfare.

You can read more about what the Department of State can and can’t do for you in an emergency here.

Do You Plan to Drive Overseas?

If you plan to drive overseas, you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP).  Many countries do not recognize U.S. driver’s licenses without an accompanying IDP, and it is illegal to drive without a valid license and insurance in most places.  You should check with theembassy of the country where you plan to travel to find out more about driver’s license and car insurance requirements.  If you will be residing overseas for an extended time, it is a good idea to obtain a local driver’s license as soon as possible, since IDPs have a limited validity.  Foreign countries may also require that persons considered resident obtain a local driver’s license if they are going to drive.  To renew a U.S. driver’s license while abroad, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles in your home state.

For more information, please review our page on Driving Abroad.

Pack Smart!

• Pack light so you can move more quickly and have a free hand when you need it.
• Carry a minimum number of valuables and plan places to conceal them.
• Check your bags, clothing, and vehicle to make sure you are not carrying any banned items or substances, such as weapons or ammunition, into your destination country.  Use covered luggage tags to avoid casual observation of your identity and nationality. 
• Avoid packing IDs, tickets and other vital documents in backpacks or other locations you won't be able to see at all times. 

Do You Have Photocopies of Your Itinerary and Travel Documents?

Make two photocopies of all your travel documents in case of emergency or if your documents are lost or stolen. Leave one copy with a friend or relative at home. It is always a great idea to let at least one person know exactly where you will be staying and how to contact you in an emergency. Carry the other copy with you stored separately from the originals. Documents to make copies of include:

• Passport ID page
• Foreign visa (if applicable)
• Itinerary
• Hotel confirmation
• Airline ticket
• Driver's license
• Credit cards brought on the trip
• Traveler's check serial numbers 

Your Safety

Prepare to Handle Money Overseas

• Check and understand the exchange rate before you travel.
• Before you leave, notify your bank, credit card company, or other financial institutions that you are going overseas.
• Avoid carrying cash and consider using traveler's checks or major credit cards instead (but make sure they are accepted at your destination before departing on your trip).
• Change traveler's checks only as you need them.
• Do not flash large amounts of money when paying a bill.

Learn about local laws and customs

While traveling, you are subject to the local laws even if you are a U.S. Citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own and it is very important to know what's legal and what's not. If you break local laws while abroad, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution, and the U.S. Embassy cannot get you out of jail.

Your Health

Do You Need Any New Vaccinations?

Vaccinations Are Required for Entry to Some Countries

Some countries require foreign visitors to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (aka Yellow Card) or other proof that they have had certain inoculations or medical tests before entering or transiting their country.  Before you travel, check the Country Specific Informationand contact the foreign embassy of the country to be visited or transited through for currenty entry requirements.

Health Experts Recommend Vaccinations for Travel to Some Countries

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) can provide you their recommendations for vaccinations and other travel health precautions for your trip abroad.

Do You Know How to Find Medical Help Abroad?

Get Help With a Medical Emergency Abroad:

• Find a Doctor/Hospital Abroad
• View ALL information about Your Health Abroad

Does Your Health Insurance Cover You Outside the U.S.?

Learn what medical services your health insurance provider will cover overseas.  Although some health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few will pay for a medical evacuation back to the United States, which can easily cost up to $100,000, or even more, depending on your condition and location.  Regardless of whether your insurance is valid overseas, you may be required to pay for care when you receive it.

If your insurance policy does not cover you abroad, consider purchasing a short-term policy that does.  Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

Are You Taking Any Prescriptions or Other Medications?

If you take prescription medication:

• Pack enough to last your entire trip, including some extra in case you are unexpectedly delayed.
• Carry your medications in their original labeled containers, and pack them in your carry-on bag since checked baggage is occasionally lost or delayed.
• Ask your pharmacy or physician for the generic equivalent name of your prescriptions in case you need to purchase additional medication abroad.
• Get a letter from your physician in case you are questioned about  your carry-on medication; some countries have strict restrictions on bringing prescription or even non-prescription medications into the country without proper medical documentation.      

"How to Develop a Tourism Business"

Tourists are people who travel outside of their home-base environments in order to spend time visiting a different environment in either a business or leisure capacity. Both vacationers and those on business trips are considered tourists, and they may be touring either domestically (within their home country) or internationally. A tourism business is any business that centers on catering to tourists' needs. Follow these steps for how to develop a tourism business.

1

Decide which sector of tourism you would like to focus your business on. You have several options to choose from when it comes to developing a business in tourism:

• Transportation services. This sector involves transporting tourists to, from and around the tourist destination.
• Travel agencies. Travel agencies are the 1 stop shop for everything involved with visiting a place, including transportation, accommodations and attractions.
• Accommodations. These include hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, rental houses, condos and any other place tourists may stay while travelling.
• Guided tours and tour guides. A guided tour service or professional tour guide is a tourism business that specializes in providing informative and entertaining tours through an area's local attractions.
• Hospitality. A hospitality business pertains to any food or beverage establishment that tourists may frequent.

2

Take your geographical location into account. Your local tourist attractions are good indicators of what would and would not make a successful tourism business venture. For example, if your area is secluded from the populace and dense with wineries, then guided winery tours, local bed and breakfasts, and airport transportation services are all viable business options.

3

Size up the competition. Thoroughly research the tourism businesses in your area before you decide which business in tourism is right for you. You will want to choose a tourism sector that is not overly congested, and one that you can contribute something unique to.

1. 4
   Write a business plan. Your business plan is the blueprint for your tourism business, and should include the following sections:
   • Executive summary. Describe your business's purpose, name, location, personnel needs, tourism business management staff, market sector, competition, marketing plan and financial projections.
   • Tourism business summary. This should detail how the business's ownership will be distributed and the start up requirements (funding, assets and location).
   • Products and/or services. You need to outline the products and/or services your business will be providing for tourists.
   • Analysis of the market. Provide information about your target market and your competition.
   • Tourism business strategy. Describe how you plan on running your business, marketing your business and pricing your product or service.
   • Financial summary. State your projections for your business's expenses and income.

5

Procure the necessary funds. Present your business plan to potential lenders and/or business partners in order to obtain the start up and operating capital you will need to run your business in tourism.

6

Select a business location.

7

Obtain all applicable business licenses. Get the necessary business licensing through your local government's business regulatory agency.

Market your tourism business.

• Use social networking sites. Set up accounts/pages on free social networking sites.
• Create a website for your tourism business. Be sure to hire a specialist for search engine optimization (SEO) in order to maximize your site's online presence.
• List your business on all applicable online directories and review websites.
• Advertise in print mediums. Take out ad space in newspapers, magazines and trade/lifestyle publications.

Kathin Chivar Dan Festival of Buddist

Kathin Chivar Dan  a Buddhist ceremony when viksus are given chivar or professional cloth to wear. According to Buddhist belief, this is the best of all gifts. Chivar, the cloth that viksus wear, may be of any six colours: those of a tree’s roots, trunk, bark, dry leaves, fruit or flower. However, the viksu community prefer to wear cloth the colour of red flowers, as it is different from the cloth that ordinary people wear and also because it does not have attractive designs. Before the introduction of kathin chivar dan, viksus used to wear pangsukulik chivar (soiled and torn cloth found at cremation sites). As this made the viksus susceptible to disease, Buddha allowed them, when they were having their monsoon rites, to wear chivar or clean cloth, gifted by their families. However, only those viksus who have completed the three-month cycle of monsoon rites may wear the chivar. The chivar dan ceremony is performed for a month following prabarana purnima until Kartik Purnima. The ceremony is called kathin (difficult) because the entire process of making chivar-twisting yarn, weaving, cutting the cloth, sewing, dyeing, washing and drying-as well as distributing it among the viksus has to be completed within 24 hours, from one sunrise to the next. There are some other rituals, which are difficult to perform both for those who make the gift and those who accept it. This is why it is called Kathin Chivar Dan (difficult chivar gift). According to the Buddhist scripture, the spiritual benefits of kathin chivar dan far surpass all others, and extend to succeeding generations. Kathin Chivar Dan ceremony,  The chivar dan ceremony is held at every vihara annually. On this occasion Buddhist families make gifts of cloth to viksus amidst great enthusiasm and religious fervour. The viksus accept these gifts in keeping with the prescribed rites. In view of the multi-faceted benefits of kathin chivar dan, all Buddhists cherish the desire to make this gift at least once in their lifetime.  [Sukomal Barua]

Lama ,Bandarban District

Lama Upazila (bandarban district)  area 671.84 sq km, located in between 21°36´ and 21°59´north latitudes and in between 92°04´ and 92°23´ east longitudes. It is bounded by bandarbansadar and lohagara (chittagong) upazilas on the north, naikhongchhari and alikadam upazilas on the south, ruma, thanchi and Alikadam upazilas on the east, chakaria upazila on the west. Lakpang Dang and Muranga Tang Hills of the upazila are notable. Population Total 78488; male 41693, female 36795; Muslim 55349, Hindu 2434, Buddhist 4966, Christian 15429 and others 310. Water bodies  Main river: matamuhuri. Administration  Lama Thana was formed in 1923 and it was turned into an upazila in 1985. Upazila Municipality Union Mouza Village Population Density (per sq km) Literacy rate (%) Urban Rural Urban Rural - 6 18 355 13955 64533 117 45 27.2 Upazila Town Area (sq km) Mouza Population Density (per sq km) Literacy rate (%) 41.44 1 13955 337 44.99 Union Name of union and GO code Area (acre) Population Literacy rate (%) Male Female Aziznagar 15 23680 9359 8108 35.56 Gajalia 47 30720 4555 4055 23.71 Fasyakhali 31 47360 8810 7859 26.79 Rupshipara 68 22400 4437 4062 20.90 Lama 63 18560 9967 8739 39.61 Sarai 79 23040 4565 3972 22.33 Source  Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. History of the War of Liberation  During the war of liberation Lama upazila was under Sector 1. The Pak army conducted mass killing and heavy plundering; they also set many houses of the upazila on fire. Religious institutions  Mosque 35, temple 5, church 15, keyang 18. Literacy rate and educational institutions  Average literacy 30.4%; male 36.4%, female 23.5%. Educational institutions: college 1, secondary school 6, primary school 74, community school 5, madrasa 4. Noted educational institutions: Lama Government High School, Chambi High School, Lama Adarsha Primary School, Ramthui Para Government Primary School, Linejhiri Government Primary School. Cultural organisations  Library 2, music academy 1, auditorium 1, cinema hall 1, playground 3. Tourists spots  Merenga, Memorial Christan Mission. Main sources of income  Agriculture 62.18%, non-agricultural labourer 7.4%, industry 0.46%, commerce 10.82%, transport and communication 0.61%, service 7.52%, construction 0.6%, religious service 0.27%, rent and remittance 0.31% and others 9.83%. Ownership of agricultural land  Landowner 50.09%, landless 49.91%; agricultural landowner: urban 37.12% and rural 52.74%. Main crops  Paddy, tobacco, potato, ginger, nut, turmeric, sesame, cotton, vegetables. Main fruits  Banana, jackfruit, litchi, papaya. Fisheries, dairies and poultries  Poultry 1. Noted manufactories  Rice mill, match factory, saw mill. Cottage industries  Weaving, wood work, bamboo and cane work. Hats, bazars and fairs  Hats and bazars are 5, most noted of which are Lama Bazar, Gajalia Bazar, Kiajupara Bazar, Rupasi Bazar and Aziznagar Bazar. Main exports  Banana, jackfruit, bamboo, cotton, sesame, ginger, yarn, turmeric. Access to electricity  All the unions of the upazila are under rural electrification net-work. However 11.23% of the dwelling households have access to electricity. Sources of drinking water  Tube-well 53.87%, tap 0.41%, pond 7.9% and others 37.82%. Sanitation  10.57% (rural 6.78% and urban 29.19%) of dwelling households of the upazila use sanitary latrines and 55.33% (rural 56.11% and urban 51.52%) of dwelling households use non-sanitary latrines; 34.1% of households do not have latrine facilities. Health centres  Upazila health complex 1, satellite clinic 3, veterinary hospital 1. NGO activities  Operationally important NGOs are brac, asa, proshika.  [Atikur Rahman] References  Bangladesh Population Census 2001, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Cultural survey report of Lama Upazila 2007.