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Safety Tips for Business Travelers!
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Safety Tips for the Business Traveller
Today more than ever, business is taking people around the globe, into foreign cites with different time zones, languages and customs. At the same time, we’ve seen an increase in worldwide political and social unrest and severe weather events.
While you prep for getting business done, it’s important to also put some thought into travel safety precautions:
Thoroughly Research Your Destination
In addition to visa requirements, local culture and the seasonal temperatures, look into destination-specific perils. These can range from earmarking unsafe areas to avoid, to keeping abreast of possible local unrest, to tracking potential major climate events.
Have an Emergency Plan in Place
Keep numbers programmed on your phone for local police, your country’s embassy, your family, friends and your office. Give copies of your itinerary and travel documentation to your family and office staff and keep copies in several locations while you travel — including in your luggage and hotel safe — for easy access!
Take the Proper Health Precautions
In addition to getting the required vaccinations for your destination, bring extra prescriptions on medications. Carry a first aid kit for minor incidents.
Map Your Local Transportation
Be aware of travel scams such as inflated cab fares and counterfeit “discounted” train or bus tickets. Pre-book your rides to and from the airport and use only accredited car, ride-share or car rental service, where the price and accountability are clear. If you’re using public transportation, familiarise yourself with the routes.
Take Precautions Against Common Theft
Visitors can be easy targets for pickpockets and scammers. Seemingly harmless requests (to sign a petition, to buy a friendship bracelet) can be excuses to distract you while an accomplice takes your wallet or belongings. Secure your passport and valuables away from easy access and keep only a small amount of currency in handy pockets. Be hypervigilant about strangers — even innocent-looking children or families —who approach you.
Don’t leave your bags in a hire car, which can be a focus for thieves. Don’t let seemingly “helpful” locals watch or carry your luggage for you.
Prevent Being Targeted for Violent Crime
Foreigners often stand out, so don’t make yourself an easy target.
Use your planning tools and/or trusted local advisors to identify and stay clear of dangerous areas.
Don’t hang around on the street with your mobile phone or an open map. Go into a busy café or shop to plan your route.
Avoid over-indulging in alcohol, which makes you more vulnerable.
Don’t flash a lot of currency or credit cards.
Steer clear of public disputes, demonstrations, or political rallies, where you might become an unintended victim of hostility.
Guard Against Cybercrime
Make sure to connect your devices to the internet via a secure Virtual Private Network or VPN. Avoid using free Wi-Fi networks in coffee shops or other public places; these are notoriously insecure and may offer cyber criminals a way to get your personal information or even hack into your company’s network.
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Essential Safety Tips for Business Travelers
Staying safe and minimizing personal risk while traveling for business is very important. How do you, as a business traveler or corporate event attendee, keep yourself and your traveling companions safe, healthy, and secure while on business travel?
We've outlined several important tips you should incorporate into your business travel routine.
Get to Know Your Corporate Safety and Travel Policies
Before leaving for any trip, be sure you're aware of your company's duty of care policies. These policies should outline how the organization plans to protect your well-being while traveling for business. Policies can include pre-travel training, travel insurance, emergency contact numbers, risk assessments for international travel, and rules for air travel, ground transportation, and hotels.
Know Who to go to When Things go Wrong
Keep a list of your company's emergency contacts, including your travel company, on hand, along with local emergency numbers. Know the procedures to report incidents and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Traveling Safely via Ride-Sharing Services
Ride-sharing services like Uber are one of the most popular ground transportation options for business travelers, and here are a few tips for staying safe
Verify identity: Double-check the driver's name, photo, and vehicle details, then ask the driver to confirm their name before getting in the vehicle.
Pick up in public: Select a busy, well-lit pick-up location. Airports and hotels often have specific ride-sharing pickup zones designed with safety in mind.
Tell a friend: Most services, including Uber, allow you to share your trip details with trusted contacts. They also offer tools such as real-time tracking and emergency buttons that will immediately contact authorities. Familiarize yourself with these tools so you can quickly engage them.
Hotel Security for Business Travelers
A business-class hotel can serve as your "home away from home" when traveling on business. Unfortunately, busy hotels can pose their own safety and security risks. Here are a few important safety tips:
Perform a hotel safety check: Locate the nearest exits and study the emergency evacuation plans. It's okay to ask hotel staff about their security measures.
Keep that room number under wraps: Avoid saying your room number aloud. If the reception announces it audibly, ask for another room. Opt for mobile check in, if available.
Verify Visitors
If anyone comes to your room claiming to be hotel staff, verify their identity by calling reception before letting them in.
Be Careful With Wi-Fi
Hotel and public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them an easy target for cyber-criminals. Avoid accessing sensitive information when connected to public Wi-Fi. When you must connect, ensure connections are encrypted or use a VPN.
When using food delivery services like DoorDash, here are a few tips you can follow
Meet in Public
Avoid giving strangers access to your floor and room by picking up food in the lobby or designated area.
Opt for contactless delivery: If you can't meet in the lobby, have the delivery person leave your meal at your door. Never let a delivery person into your room.
Check packaging: Most restaurants will seal bags or boxes to prevent tampering. If the packaging seems compromised, don't accept the delivery.
Recognize Signs of Human Trafficking
Being vigilant and recognizing signs of human trafficking helps to protect your safety and could help with the rescue of victims. Here are some ways to protect yourself, and others, from human traffickers:
Be vigilant of unusual activity: Multiple people entering and leaving a room at all hours, especially in a seemingly secretive manner, should raise a red flag.
Watch for abnormally high security: Multiple locks, barred windows, or surveillance cameras in atypical places may be a sign of illicit activity.
Verify Hotel Security Measures.
A well-managed hotel usually has systems to deter or identify criminal activities, including human trafficking. If the hotel seems to lack such measures, it could pose a safety risk.
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Business travel safety involves proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure employee well-being. This includes understanding company policies, being aware of potential threats, and taking personal precautions like keeping valuables safe, avoiding risky areas, and utilizing secure networks. Additionally, business travel insurance and emergency planning can provide a safety net.
1. Pre-Trip Preparation
Company Policies
Familiarize yourself with your company's travel policies, which should include duty of care protocols, pre-travel training, emergency contact numbers, and risk assessments for international travel.
Risk Assessment
Understand the potential risks associated with your destination, including political instability, crime rates, and health hazards.
Ensure you have adequate business travel insurance to cover unexpected events, such as medical emergencies or theft.
Emergency Planning
Develop a plan for emergencies, including contact information for your company's travel support team, and know how to access emergency services in the host country.
2. On-Site Precautions
Be Vigilant
Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas, and be cautious of potential theft or pickpockets.
Secure Valuables
Keep your documents, credit cards, and other valuables in a secure place, and avoid flashing large amounts of money.
Steer clear of poorly lit or isolated areas, especially at night.
Protect your devices by using a secure VPN and avoiding free public Wi-Fi networks.
Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as it can make you more vulnerable to risks.
Share Your Plans
Inform your family, colleagues, or team lead of your travel plans and share your accommodation details in case of an emergency.
3. Additional Considerations
Travel Risk Assessments
Companies should conduct thorough travel risk assessments to identify potential hazards and develop mitigation plans.
Personal Security
Consider personal security measures, such as hiring a security officer, if traveling to high-risk areas.
Stay Informed and Aware
Keep abreast of local news and security alerts, and be aware of any political instability or protests in your destination.
Business Travel Insurance
Ensure your company's insurance provides adequate coverage for travel hazards, including medical emergencies, theft, and other unforeseen circumstances.