UAE 22-day smart travel awareness campaign

As the vacation season is on door step, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs tomorrow rolls out its 22-day nation-wide campaign to educate citizens traveling abroad on ''Do's and Don'ts'' for their own safety. Sultan Mohammed Al Ali, Director of Ministry's Media and Government Communication Department, said the travel awareness drive, in its third running year, will run from 16 June to 7 July 2012 to help UAE citizens wishing to travel abroad have an easier and safer trip. ''The travel advice is full of useful tips and destination information that will spare UAE citizens a lot of troubles they may face overseas,'' he said. ''Emiratis planning travel to Europe should first make sure that their maiden destination is to the country that has issued the Schengen Visa, in particular Netherlands and Belgium, to avoid being sent back to the UAE,'' he warned. Travelers can simply log on the Ministry's website and click on important travel advice information icon to learn about visa requirements waiver and services the UAE diplomatic missions abroad offer to citizens. Al Ali urged citizens to sign up for the highly classified, free online traveler enrollment service (TAWAJEDI) so the Ministry can better assist them in any case of emergency they may face abroad. Once the traveler filled the required form at the Ministry's website, he receives an e-mail containing his Personal Identification Number (PIN) through which he can change or delete his personal information. Enrollment can also be made through calling 8004444. He also reminded the travelers to keep the SMS they get once they arrive at their destination which contains the telephone numbers, address and location of the UAE embassy in the host country so as to seek assistance in case of emergency.