Visit FITA @ www.fita.org and carlson wagonlit travel @ www.carlsonwagonlit.com

Destination Russia

Dealing with Custom's Formalities. Russian Customs authorities recently started enforcing a new regulation requiring departing travelers to present a customs declaration which should have been stamped upon arrival for anyone carrying more than $500. The main purpose of this new regulation is to fight capital flight. The absence of a stamp has caused many travelers who are unaware of this new rule to miss their plane at their own expense while debating with Customs officers.

All the following steps should be followed thoroughly in order to avoid the financial cost that may result from their non-observance:

• Get out of the plane as quickly as possible upon arrival in Moscow;
• Be proactive by asking for your declaration to be stamped upon arrival and by obtaining your customs declaration form upon departure (if you did not get an extra one while flying to Russia);
• Remember the saying: "first come, first served";
• Be patient and remain courteous to all customs officers as they are only implementing the instructions they have been given.

For a more complete set of guidelines, call FITA at (800) 969-3482.

Destination Europe

Sheraton Daybreak Program Expands in Europe.

A common international road warrior lament: flying to Europe or Asia overnight and arriving too early to check in to a hotel to nap or freshen up before a business meeting. Sheraton Airport Hotels has a solution: expanding the popular "Daybreak" program, where travelers can book a room between 8 am and 6 pm at a 50% discount off the regular rate. Ask for the "Transit Survival Kit" at check-in; it includes a toothbrush, T-shirt, moisturizer, razor, deodorant, mouthwash, comb and brush. The program is now available in London (Heathrow), Paris, Brussels, Luxembourg, Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf.

Destination Hong Kong

Business Traveler Association Offers Key Benefits. The Hong Kong-based Association of Business Travelers offers a series of value-added services in addition to serious discounts on car rentals and hotel rooms at major chains worldwide. Besides discounts, members are treated to automatic room upgrades when available, late checkout privileges, express check-in, luggage retrieval service, free membership at selected private clubs, and access to serviced office facilities in 19 major cities, where phone messages will be taken for them at no charge. For information, click on http://www.abt-travel.com, tel 852-2866 3444, e-mail abtl@attmail.com.

Destination Japan

Saving on Japan Hotel Rates. If hotel rates in Japan give you sticker shock, you may want to consider staying at an apartment for business trips that last longer than a week in any given city. English language newspapers and magazines such as Japan Times (http://www.japantimes.co.jp) and City Source, Tokyo's English telephone directory, carry ads for real estate accommodations for foreigners. Some prices for single rooms are so reasonable that the weekly charge may cost less than a single night at a mid-price hotel chain.

Destination Korea

An Easier Way to Navigate in Korea. Travelers to Korea now have more than phrase books and gestures to help them communicate: An aid service is available by phone. Operated by the Korea National Tourist Office, the service offers translation assistance, directions, advice on the best subway routes, and suggestions on what to see and do when you have spare time. "Travel Phone" is available during business hours from anywhere in the country, for the cost of a local phone call within Seoul and toll-free outside of the capital. Outside of Seoul: 080-757-2000. In Seoul: 757-0086.

Destination Anywhere

Y2K Readiness of Foreign Aviation Systems. The Department of Transportation has posted information on their web site. The top three travel destinations from the U.S. - Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan - reported they will be Y2K compliant by year-end. http://ww.fly2k.dot.gov

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Baffled by Symbols on Streets Signs in Foreign Countries? The Association for Safe International Road Travel publishes reports on road rules and road conditions in 60 countries, plus a series of tips on everything from a list of the most dangerous highways to quirky driver behaviors. Click on http://www.asirt.org for details.

Speedily Avoiding Tickets. Speeding tickets need not be an occupational hazard for the road warrior, now that there's a Web site--built and maintained by a now-very popular college student--that reveals 13,000 speed traps in the U.S., Canada and 18 other countries. The site is located at http://www.telalink.net/speedtrap.