CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — The recent events in Mexico involving four American citizens has raised questions on safety when traveling outside of the U.S.
Heather Paul is the customer service and personnel director for Burke Christian Tours in Catawba County. The company was founded by her grandparents in 1977.
“They realized a need for people to be together with other Christians and those who like to see the world but with friends and people who make them feel like family," Paul said.
The company operates escorted tours all over the U.S. and also has international tours and cruise vacations.
“We own and operate 32 motor coaches, nine mini coaches and eight sprinter vans," Paul said.
She says a key to their success and keeping people safe is traveling in large numbers.
“Our groups are usually a minimum of 20 up to... multiple coaches of people going to the same location, each coach holds 46 people and we travel all over the world," Paul said.
Paul says when traveling internationally, they pair up with local guides who know the language and are familiar with the area.
“Therefore, should something happen next door, such as a protest, they know where to divert us to and they know the area, they know the roads and we pick up drivers and motor coaches from the international country that we’re visiting," Paul said.
In the Mexican border state of Tamaulipas, where the recent events took place involving four U.S. citizens, the U.S Department of State had issued a travel advisory back in October due to high crime and kidnapping.
Paul says advisories can serve as guidance to travelers.
“We stay away from the places that could be troublesome, and that’s why it's important to have a local guide, they know the areas, they know the heartbeat of their own city," Paul said.
The company doesn't always stay away from countries on the U.S State advisory list, however. Israel is a very popular destination country for Christian Tours and they have traveled there many times, but with knowledge of the area and avoiding troubled times.
