New studies have revealed that searches for solo travel have increased by 90%. Business travel experts at Booking.com for Business have given 10 tips on how to keep safe as a solo business traveller.
1) Prepare before traveling
Depending on where you are visiting, you’ll need to check your business travel policy and duty of care to see if there are any recommendations for the specific country you’re traveling to. Ensure that the transport you are using is safe, and if your airport arrival time is later, factor this into your itinerary.
You are also advised to research local emergency service numbers and the neighbourhood of your accommodation. If you are visiting a country that speaks a different language than your own, try to learn some basic words and phrases.
2) Be mindful of what you post on social media
Posting in real time on social media can pose a risk to your safety. Whilst it is tempting to share pictures of delicious local food and sights, sending constant updates of your live location can make it easy for people to track your whereabouts.
3) Get business travel insurance
Insurance is important for all travel, be it business or otherwise. Interruptions to your plans due to natural disasters, accidents, medical issues, or flight delays can cost you time, money and peace of mind. To make sure you don’t end up in a stressful situation and are protected in any difficult travel scenario, take out additional protection in the form of business travel insurance. It is best to check insurance options recommended by your company or with your travel manager if you’re arranging it yourself.
4) Use travel safety products
Ample products are now available to mitigate the risks of business travel, including safety bracelets, portable batteries, and portable alarms. In some destinations, it is also legal to carry an aerosol spray that can be used as a disabling weapon by irritating the eyes and airways. It is vital that you check the laws on this at your destination before you go. As well as these physical products, there are business travel software tools that, if shared with your travel manager, can help them oversee your locations and keep you safe.
5) Be aware while exploring
Most business travellers like to add on a few days of leisure time to explore a destination once their business meetings are over, but if you’re unfamiliar with the local area, it’s wise to explore during daylight hours only. You can also check with hotel staff and ask them to book licensed taxis to get around. It is also a good idea to ask hotel staff for advice about the local area.
6) Take care when withdrawing money
ATM’s can be a hotspot for theft, especially for tourists who may be unaware of local areas where thieves operate. Business travellers should not carry large amounts of cash and should leave it in a safe in their hotel, along with any other valuables they have taken abroad. Anti-theft aluminium or carbon fire wallets can also stop criminals from scanning your cards without realizing.
7) Choose accommodation carefully
Whether an employee or a different team is booking business travel accommodation, it’s important to be aware of safety requirements for female business travellers. When selecting business travel accommodation, pay attention to the hotel location, reviews, and whether or not there is a 24/7 reception service. For added security, you can also look out for measures like fingerprint scanning upon entry and CCTV.
8) Keep travel documents safe
While it may seem obvious, it’s easy to forget where you’ve put all of your important travel documents while you’re busy on the move for work. Being prepared and creating a backup (often simply digital copies will suffice) of travel and identity documents is a great way to avoid any safety issues at your destination.
9) Dress sensibly
Dressing appropriately can make you less of a target for pickpockets, whether you are a male or female traveller. Try not to wear expensive jewellery, handbags, or clothing that may attract attention.
10) Provide feedback to your employees
Giving feedback to your employer after a business travel trip is a great way to make sure any safety risks for female business travel are avoided in the future. You can highlight useful safety or security services you appreciated, transport options that made you feel safe, or aspects of the hotel that made it a success. It’s also important to mention the parts of the trip that need to be improved upon.
