A country's embassy based abroad is there to maintain good relations between the embassy's country and the host country in which the embassy is located.

First and foremost an embassy's duties are centred around diplomatic relations and governmental protocols of the two countries concerned.

The embassy is also available to offer advice and guidance to any nationals of said country's embassy, by way of their country's foreign office and other governmental bodies.

A consulate is the same as an embassy, just that it is run on a smaller scale.

Most embassies are located in the host country's capital city, but smaller consulates can be found in tourist areas, other larger cities of the host country and in areas with large ex - pat communities.

Their services are available to both ex - pats and tourists alike, who may find themselves in need of help in times of crisis.

WHO CAN HELP YOU. 

If you are travelling to another country by way of a tour operator, most of these companies will offer the services of either a holiday representative or tour guide.

Most of your problems can be dealt with by way of these personnel, that's why they are there, that's what they get paid for.

Minor irritations such as problems with your hotel, problems with your tour company, medical issues and police procedures can and will be dealt with by way of the tour companies field operatives.

If you are an independent traveller who is travelling in a country where there are language barriers, the situation is slightly different.

You can in this case contact your local embassy or consulate, who will put you in touch with doctors, dentists, police and lawyers who speak your language or an interpretor if non of the previous are available.

ARREST OR INCARCERATION.

If you find your self having been arrested or in prison, whether you are travelling independently or with a holiday company, you will be given the chance to get in touch with your country's embassy or consulate, who will help in finding you a lawyer and/or the services of an interpretor.

They will also come and visit you in prison and help pass on any messages to your family and friends whom you are unable to contact back home.

They can not however, do anything about your situation. They can not get you out of prison, nor can they pull any strings to make life easier for you.

Just as in your own country, ignorance of the host country's laws and cultural differences does not exonnerate you of a crime. 

TRAVEL WOES.

Embassies and consulates can not help you in the event of flight-delays due to air traffic control strikes or grounded airlines or in the event of your airline or travel company going bust.

If you find your self stranded in another country owing to any of these type of eventualities, unfortunately it is up to you to try and find some sort of  a solution for your self.

First of all you must contact your holiday representative or holiday insurance company, who will guide you through the proper procedures in these instances.

If your holiday company goes bust, your insurance company will find you alternative accommodation so as you can continue with your holiday. 

If your airline goes bust, again, your travel insurance company will arrange for your return journey back home. 

Finding your self stranded without money is a responsibility you must try and sort out for your self, by way of contacting family or friends that may be able to lend you money.

 LOSS OR THEFT.

If you have lost or had your money, travel documents or credit cards stolen, then the police, your holiday insurance company or credit card company will guide you through the relevant procedures in these matters.

If you lose or have your passport stolen, the embassy or consulate will be in a position to either offer you another passport or supply you with the relevant papers to get you home.

Your embassy or consulate will also help you contact family and friends by way of offering you free phone and internet services, but only in very  rare cases will they be able to give you a loan or pay for travel tickets. 

MAJOR THREATS TO YOUR SAFETY.

However, if you find yourself stranded in another country owing to a major natural disaster or outbreak of war in the host country, then your embassy or consulate will help out any of it's stranded nationals by way of any protocols that your country's government has put into place.

This will be be a large organised operation giving help en mass to any of the embassy's nationals, with no one being given special treatment or dispensations. 

MEDICAL ISSUES. 

Embassy officials are not able to help with any medical emergencies, other than putting you in touch with a doctor or a local hospital.

If you or a travelling companion are taken ill or have been in an accident whilst on holiday,help can be gained from either your holiday representative or by way of your holiday medical insurance company. 

In the case of a death abroad, all services provided by police, coroners office, holiday representatives and consular staff are implemented to make such a tragic occurance as painless as possible for the travelling companions of the deceased. 

if you are travelling alone and you die, all the above services are put into place in order to have your body repatriated as soon as possible. 

MISCELLANEOUS.

Embassy officials are also unable to help you to find work or accommodation or act as a travel agent on your behalf.

Nor can they help in the event of your airline losing your luggage, which is dealt with by way of your airline company's carriage agent,or be able to help you out if you have been caught smuggling contraband in or out of the host country.

Consular services are meant for only the very worst case scenarios when you are abroad,or for just guidance and advice.There are many service providers in the  travel, tourism and travel insurance businesses ready and able to help you at a moments notice, who you must first approach before contacting your country's embassy or consular staff. 

By and large when travelling or holidaying in a foreign country, please be aware of the host country's laws and cultural differences, make sure that you purchase relevant holiday and medical insurances and book your holiday with a reputable ATOL certified travel company or tour group to avoid any serious problems that you may encounter.

For more holiday and travel advice visit   

knoji.com/how-to-get-a-free-holiday/ 

knoji.com/flight-delays-coping-with-the-ordeal-of-travel-delays/ 

knoji.com/what-happens-if-your-travel-airline-company-goes-bust/ 

                                                                                              © D.B.Bellamy. April 2010.