Our Highest Priority
People to People Ambassador Programs works diligently to ensure the safety of every leader and delegate on our programs. We will not conduct a program we believe could in any way endanger our Ambassadors.

Our Commitment
We are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable educational experience, and we pledge to maintain open and ongoing communication with our delegates, leaders, and Ambassador family members on the subject of safety and any impact world events may have on our programs.

A Solid Safety Record
During 50 years of providing educational travel, we have gained valuable experience in responding to international incidents as they arise. We have successfully traveled delegates across the globe during times of unrest. During the Gulf War, People to People Ambassador Programs safely traveled delegates to more than 30 nations in Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific.

Our safety record is the result of many factors, including a reliance on federal guidelines, the strength and experience of our leaders, expertise and experience in our destination countries, a vast global network of resources and team members, and a sincere commitment to our Ambassadors and their families.

Federal Guidelines
In making the decision to proceed with any program, we rely on the advice of the U.S. State Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board. We choose our destinations carefully, and we will not take our delegations into areas that may be unsafe. If conditions exist that may hinder our ability to provide a safe program, we will alter the itinerary and redirect the program to safer regions or provide other alternatives.

Flights and Activities
We apply the same safety standards to flights and activities that we apply to conducting an entire program. If a flight is cancelled due to a federal safety ruling or airline concern, we will make every attempt to quickly place delegates on another flight provided that the FAA and other guiding organizations state that it is safe to travel.

Similarly, if it is advised that we avoid a particular destination, excursion, or event on the itinerary, or if a location is temporarily unavailable (such as a museum closure), we will arrange comparable, alternative activities to the best of our abilities and with full regard for the well-being of each participant. Our in-house travel team and worldwide network of travel experts allow us to foresee situations and respond quickly to ensure that our programs remain high-quality, enjoyable experiences.

Ongoing Precautions
We partner with docleaf®, a London-based international and security company that helps us monitor and appropriately react to situations around the world.

We have an internal task force made up of senior managers who continually assess the international climate and specific situations, and implement program changes as needed.  

We are briefed about international travel warnings by the State Department. If a travel warning is issued for a specific country, we respond immediately by rescheduling or modifying the itinerary and by moving delegates to a safe location as necessary.

In every country where we travel, we work with top-level coordinators who assess their local situations. This network of coordinators briefs us on new safety precautions implemented by countries. For example: We know that at the Tower of London, all individuals pass through a security inspection before entering.

While delegates are traveling, we maintain a trained 24-hour response team at our office to respond to any emergencies or situations that may arise during travel.

Leader Safety Training
We provide extensive pre-travel safety information and preparation for both our leaders and our delegates.  Our leaders are required to complete a comprehensive online travel safety course as developed in cooperation with docleaf®, a London-based international and security company. They also participate in a local safety training workshop, and are provided an in-depth, safety travel handbook enabling immediate effective and efficient response to any circumstance.

In addition, each leader is required to pass a background check and hold CPR certification.

A predominate role of our leaders is to monitor the physical and emotional health of each member of their delegations. Any delegate expressing or exhibiting signs of mental, emotional, or physical distress, or if any member of the delegation expresses concern for another delegate’s health, action is swiftly taken.  Reactive procedures are clearly and firmly outlined from removing the delegate from a program activity to rest or get medical attention to more serious steps for treatment. Delegates’ families are contacted in each circumstance as well as the program office. At no time is a delegate left to heal or rest alone.

Safety Regarding Air Travel
The Transportation Security Administration has required additional security measures at all U.S. airports. Similar measures are in place at airports across the globe. To help delegates prepare, we provide information regarding packing, customs, and related guidelines through mail, email, our website, and pre-travel packets. In our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable educational experience, we will continue to provide updates as needed regarding airline and airport security measures.