Top 10 tips for women traveling for business

Women on work trips around the world can find useful tips on everything, from how to use social media and get the right insurance to booking the right hotel.

There has been a steady increase in the number of female business travelers.

The travel safety risks faced by women are significantly higher than those faced by males. Therefore, it is crucial for firms to make sure that their travel policies are inclusive and safeguard female employees. The majority of female respondents (71%) in a recent poll of business travelers by World Travel Protection expressed the belief that women are less protected than males when traveling for work.

Here are a few pointers for female business travelers to make sure their trip is secure, easy, and rewarding.

Here are 10 essential pieces of advice for women on business trips.

1. Do thorough research.
For women, being well-prepared is essential for business trips. To determine whether your travel insurance and duty of care cover any recommendations specific to the country you're visiting, review your itinerary:

Make preparations to travel in a secure manner. In some areas, taxis might be your only option, but buses, trains, or even walking might serve other destinations better. Another consideration is whether your airport arrival time is in the middle of the night.

• Discover the best hotels by examining the safest and most convenient areas.
• If the country's currency is different from yours, withdraw your money before leaving.
• You should be familiar with the local emergency numbers.
• Before you leave, catch up on the local news concerning your destination. Be mindful of any political upheaval, weather reports, or dangers that may affect your trip.
• Make an effort to learn the basics of the language and local customs before visiting a foreign nation where you do not speak it.

2. Take care when using social media.
Remember, posting in real-time on social media puts your personal safety at risk. While it's tempting to post appetizing photos of local cuisine, attractions, and selfies, be cautious because anyone can easily trace your live position and perhaps harm you if you do so frequently. Make smart use of social media by:

• Staying away from location tags
• Sharing media in real time.
• You can upload pictures of your airline tickets or hotel room.

3. Secure travel insurance for your company.
No matter the purpose of your trip, having insurance is a must. You can lose time, energy, and tranquility if calamities, accidents, medical problems, or travel delays derail your plans. Invest in business travel insurance to safeguard yourself from any stressful travel situations. If you are planning your own trip, we suggest consulting your travel manager or firm for advice on the best insurance policies to cover it.

4. Make sure you use travel safety products.

• The proliferation of items designed to lessen the dangers associated with female solo travel in recent years is directly attributable to this trend. For your added peace of mind while traveling, consider the following travel-friendly safety products:

• Wearing a tiny security gadget around your wrist allows you to transmit messages with a single click in the event that you want assistance.

• In case of an emergency, carry an extra portable battery to charge your phone, just in case you find yourself stranded without any means of communication.

• You can carry these small, lightweight alarm systems with you, as they can emit a loud enough signal to wake up anyone within a specified range.

• Some places permit the use of pepper spray, an aerosol that can irritate the eyes and lungs and serve as a debilitating weapon. Do your homework on the local regulations for this before you leave.

• Software for business trips includes location services that, when communicated with your travel manager, can enhance your security by tracking your whereabouts.

5. Pay attention while you explore.
Most business travelers prefer to extend their trips by a few days so they can fully enjoy their vacation after taking care of all necessary business. However, people should only venture out during the day if they are not familiar with the area, particularly women traveling alone. Ask the hotel staff for advice on how to stay safe while traveling in the area and always use a licensed cab.
6. Exercise caution when withdrawing funds.

• Tourists' unfamiliarity with the area and potential distractions make ATMs easy targets for thieves. To ensure safety when traveling internationally, female business travelers should adhere to the following guidelines:
• Never travel with a big sum of money on your person; instead, store it in the hotel's safe or leave it at the front desk.
• If you want to prevent identity thieves from secretly scanning your cards and taking your money and personal details, invest in an anti-theft wallet made of carbon fiber or aluminum.
• Opt for safer payment options instead.

7. Be picky about where you stay.
It is crucial to be knowledgeable of the safety regulations for female business travelers, whether the employee or another team is making the reservations for the lodging. Consider the hotel's location, reviews, and availability of a 24-hour reception desk when making your business trip accommodation selection. Check for additional security measures, such as fingerprint scanners upon arrival and CCTV.

8. Keep all travel documents in a secure location.
When you're constantly on the move for work, it's easy to lose your passport, visa, and other essential travel documents. However, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of experiencing any security concerns at your destination by being well-prepared and making a copy (sometimes a digital copy will do) of your travel and identification documents.

9. Dress in a low-key outfit.
Business travelers, regardless of gender, would do well to dress formally for two reasons: first, to avoid unwanted attention from pickpockets and other criminals, and second, to blend in with the locals. Two more things you can do to make sure your trip goes smoothly are to learn the language and dress appropriately for the local culture. Avoid drawing unnecessary attention to yourself as a tourist by donning flashy jewelry, high heels, and fancy purses.

10. Provide your employer with post-trip feedback.
One method to help prevent future safety issues for female business travelers is to provide feedback to your employer after each trip. You could highlight the successful features of the hotel, the comfortable transportation options, or the helpful safety and security services you experienced. Don't forget to point out what may have been better about the vacation. Whether it's a matter of convenience, a potential safety risk, or a training opportunity, please let us know how we can assist our female colleagues.One method to help prevent future safety issues for female business travelers is to provide feedback to your employer after each trip. You could highlight the successful features of the hotel, the comfortable transportation options, or the helpful safety and security services you experienced. Don't forget to point out what may have been better about the vacation. Whether it's a matter of convenience, a potential safety risk, or a training opportunity, please let us know how we can assist our female colleagues.

Photo by Felicity Tai