Whether you’re a budget traveler, going on a family holiday or taking a romantic getaway Asia has something amazing in store for you! Asia’s reputation as a tourist hotspot just keeps growing and growing and there is no end in sight. Asia offers everything from lush jungles to bustling cities to culture-rich towns and festivals.

If a trip to Asia is next on your list there are a few suggestions and precautions to keep in mind. Asia is pretty harmless, on the whole, and generally speaking, the people are more than kind and generous. However, because Tourism has become one of the country’s primary sources of income, a lot of attention has turned to serving tourists.

The people who appear to want to help you with your bags: Although it may seem like these people friendly and helpful (and they are), most of the time these helpers are usually hoping for money in return, or they are hoping to get your patronage in their tuk tuk, taxi or hotel.

The people who offer to show you to a great hotel: Sometimes, if these people have recent photos of the location, it is worth having a look. But generally it is best to stick the hotel that you have already researched, if you are happy with that choice. These people are given commission for bringing patrons to a certain hotel, and taking “a look” at their hotel may result in a bit of needless frustration, as a lot of sales people can be very persistent.

The locks on the doors: There are an abundance of hotels or hostels, which are clean and comfortable, for the right price. However, it is important to take notice of the locks on your hotel room door. A lot of the time it is just a simple push-button lock or a slide lock that isn’t quite secured to the door properly. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the hotel owners or workers are hoping to break in, but it certainly will not stop anybody else from breaking in. A lot of hotels or hostels give you the option to use your own padlock on the outside of the door. So bring your own padlock as a backup security measure.

When renting a motorbike….or anything, for that matter: When renting anything make sure you have a good thorough look at it and try it out before leaving the shop. Make sure everything is working properly and if not, make the renter aware of any dents, holes, etc. If you don’t there is a slight chance that the renter may try to blame you for the problem and charge you. If you rent a bicycle rent a lock as well, because just as in any country, there is a chance it’ll be stolen. (Possibly by the renter, so he can profit from you repaying him for the bike that he is hiding out back!)

There isn’t a lot of violence towards tourists in Asia, although things have been reported here and there. Generally speaking, Asia is friendly, generous and very safe for all ages and ethnicities. In my five months there, I never felt threatened or intimidated. You just need to be alert and aware of your surroundings, but what’s new?