With spring break almost upon us and summer not far behind, I know many Arkansans are readying vacation plans and looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with family or friends, often someplace far from our state.

Traveling to different countries always brings a mix of excitement and adventure, whether for personal or professional reasons. It represents a great opportunity to experience new cultures, take in unique sites and broaden horizons.

Usually, these trips feature fun excursions, relaxing downtime, productive meetings, joyful reunions –– or some combination of those elements.

Whatever your itinerary and goals, it is critical to plan ahead as well as be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances on the ground. Recent events around the world have heightened the need for travelers to stay informed about potentially dangerous or complex situations. Doing so can help ensure safe passage to a new destination or even back home, if necessary.

In the last six months, the U.S. Department of State has issued travel advisories for nations as various as Angola, Belarus and Malaysia. Of course, the recent military operations in Venezuela and Iran have called for extra care to support the safe evacuation of our citizens in those regions.

These incidents can serve as an important reminder to seek access to timely alerts that help convey risks and recommended precautions for U.S. citizens, nationals and legal residents.

One of the most valuable resources in that effort is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This tool is a free State Department service that pushes important updates from the U.S. Embassy directly to a visitor’s email. STEP notices can include valuable insight about local security concerns, demonstrations, weather conditions and other issues that might impact health and safety.

If Arkansans find themselves in the midst of natural disasters, civil unrest or terrorist attacks while on foreign soil, STEP has proved an invaluable tool for raising awareness of official guidance and alerts. Additionally, enrolling to receive them can better facilitate efforts to reach travelers should an emergency occur back home.

My office is always eager to offer support to constituents who find themselves in these situations, but one of our first recommendations is STEP enrollment.

If expediting the security screening process is a priority, TSA Pre-Check is an option worth considering. This service is available through authorized centers –– an updated list of sites can be found online. It is important to note this is a fee-based service that takes some time to be approved for, so planning ahead is crucial. And for those returning from overseas with items to declare, the Mobile Passport Control app is an additional free tool available to ensure a smooth, faster re-entry.

Finally, given some countries require 3-6 month validity on passports before traveling to them, the State Department has a resource to help with reviewing entry requirements.

These are all helpful things to keep in mind for Arkansans heading overseas in the near future. For those making a domestic trip, thankfully there is a lot less coordination and preparation required. 

I encourage Natural State residents considering a visit to our nation’s capital this spring or summer to take advantage of the America 250 offerings that are helping celebrate our nation’s semiquincentennial. As always, please contact my office for help arranging tours of the U.S. Capitol and White House in addition to suggestions for other entertaining and educational activities.

It is an honor to assist Arkansans navigating their travel and provide any support possible with federal departments, agencies, services or programs. Please do not hesitate to contact us whenever the need arises.