Although reports about whether business travel is spiking or pulling back remain mixed — such as the Global Business Association, which revealed that a 33 percent decline in business travel volume was expected for 2025, while their 2023 Travel Index Outlook predicted trillions in increased spending at this time — the concern for travelers’ safety, especially among women, continues to dominate conversations.
According to a new survey published by Raconteur, 71 percent of women traveling for work feel unsafe when out of town for their jobs, an issue not addressed to the same degree by their male colleagues. The survey, conducted by travel agent and risk-management provider World Travel Protection (WTP), polled 2,000 business travelers, with more than half of the participants admitting to feeling uneasy when venturing to another city for work obligations due to safety concerns.
Additionally, the survey revealed that 31 percent of women said they wouldn’t take any solo outings at night while traveling for work, and 12 percent have been in dangerous situations like theft or assault during a business trip. This has raised alarms about whether women’s needs are being met while on the road and whether additional safety measures should be implemented.
Crucial Safety Measures
Per the outlet, this may involve establishing a clear travel policy, including stating expectations, safety measures, and emergency contacts if the individual should need it. Experts also suggested that travelers share their itineraries with their employers so they can respond quickly in case plans go awry.
Employers should also consider arranging private rides or chauffeur services and ensuring the hotel has a 24-hour reception to secure the utmost safety for their workers. Although many companies are taking these precautions, there is considerable room for improvement, and the first step is knowing what their employees need to feel safer.
Particularly, female employees should have a confidential forum to voice their concerns and open up about their experiences when traveling for work, proposes Eve Taylor, a Generation BTA member, which is an advisory board for the Business Travel Association.
Utilizing Resources
However, some might argue that the resources are there, it’s just a matter of whether people choose to take advantage of them. WTP found in their survey that 70 percent of the business travelers they polled reported that their company advises them to download a travel assistance app, but only 30 percent have done so and used it.
In June 2024, Booking.com for Business found that people were laxer with their safety measures when traveling domestically than internationally, with 26 percent taking extra precautions during work trips within their own country and 42 percent exercising more caution when venturing abroad.
Similarly, employees have dodged requests to check in more frequently with their employers while on work trips, as only 45 percent are willing to do so, according to another WTP report.
Common Travel Occurences
Perhaps some feel that, despite the apps and additional safety measures, traveling still poses risks beyond their control. For instance, Booking.com for Business discovered that a change in routine (i.e., fitness, diet, sleep) could often have a considerable impact on traveler’s mental and physical health, especially if they’re frequently on the go.
The online travel agency reported that 22 percent of business travelers confessed to occasionally feeling more susceptible to sickness during a work trip. In contrast, 63 percent of 18- to 35-year-old employees thought that travel had a positive impact on their mental well-being, and 55 percent within the 36- to 45-year-old age bracket felt the same.
The fact of the matter is that even the most diligent and nutrition-savvy travelers can succumb to illnesses when away from home, the most common being gastrointestinal infection, per Victoria Department of Health. However, Booking.com for Business states that most illness-related travel issues are due to pre-existing conditions (i.e., heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions) and are not influenced by the locations themselves.
Procedures to Stay at Ease
So, how safe can we be when traveling? The U.S. Department of State issues guidelines for travelers, particularly women, on its website, which largely mirror the proposed plans for ensuring safety when traveling for business. One helpful strategy is to share your plans with others along with a way for them to contact you, a benefit for all travelers.
They also encourage having personal safety whistles or alarms on hand, using facial expressions and body language to ward off unwanted attention, and confirming the locations of nearby emergency centers such as police stations and hospitals in case you need them quickly. A complete list of their travel recommendations and resources is available here.
While it may be impossible to avoid all potential risks, these practices could ease any discomfort and make you feel safer when traveling for work and leisure. Consider these strategies before your next business trip and bring them to your employer’s attention if you feel uncomfortable with the current protocols in place.
