How to Stay Safe During a Business Trip

When women travel alone for business or for pleasure, our primary concern is safety. As women, traveling alone in a new place and being exposed to new cultures and new people makes us feel even more vulnerable. However, with some smart planning and research beforehand, staying alert and trusting your gut instinct, you can turn your business travel trip into a fun experience without being either too lax or too paranoid about your safety.

Do Your Homework
Before you leave on your trip, spend some time researching your destination. Books and websites (such as www.via-her.com) can provide you with information on the safe parts of town, popular tourist locations, local customs or restrictions, dress codes, distances, currencies, and any common scams or crimes in that city. If you know colleagues (especially other women) in an office at your destination or other travelers, ask them for advice and tips about the place. Check whether your country consulate has issued any travel warnings or advice about your destination. Make electronic copies and photocopies of your passport, itinerary, identification, and other documents. Keep numbers of your local consulate and other numbers that you can contact in an emergency handy.

Do Not Make Yourself a Target
Blending in and avoiding placing yourself in situations that are risky or dangerous is half the battle won. Do not call attention to yourself in a foreign destination by wearing inappropriate clothing, flashing money, credit cards, jewelry, valuables etc. Find out which mode of transport is best to use around your destination before you leave. For instance, public transportation is not recommended in certain destinations such as certain parts of Asia. Assess whether it is safe to venture out after dark or alone, where to eat, drink, shop and so on. Exchange money at airports or government agencies, and if you choose to explore your destination, ask for directions from your hotel and stick to well-known popular areas and tourist sites of the city. Avoid traveling alone after dark or deserted areas, shops and restaurants.

Be Aware and Use Common Sense
Always be aware of your surroundings and people around you. Never announce that you are traveling alone, and politely discourage friendly strangers. Consider fending off unwanted male attention by wearing an inexpensive wedding band, even if you are single. Always know your destination and have a rough idea of the travel distance and time. Trust your intuition—if a place, person or situation is making you edgy, leave or call out for help. If you are returning to your hotel room late, ask a security guard to see you safely to your floor from the cab. Leave word at your hotel front desk about what time you will return, where you are headed, and how you can be contacted. Look and act confident. Women who appear passive are more likely to make themselves victims of crime.

Use Handy Travel Gadgets
Certain gadgets like a global positioning system (GPS) device and cell phones with international call capabilities are a good idea so that you find your way around easier and call home in an emergency. Make sure friends, family and colleagues know your cell phone number. There are also pocketsize travel alarms that can be attached to your hotel room door. Carry a small flashlight in case you find yourself on a dark street or stranded in a power outage. If you need to use a laptop on the plane or train, use a computer privacy filter on your screen.

Keep Personal Information Personal
Use luggage tags that do not reveal your name and address. Instead, consider using laminated business cards as tags. Do not reveal information like your name, hotel, office, credit/debit card information, laptop passwords, or travel plans to strangers.

Stash your Cash
Keep money, credit cards, and valuables or important documents in separate places so that you cannot lose them all at one go. Take advantage of business hotels that offer in-room safes. Keep your purse or handbag close to your body at all times.  

How to Tackle an Emergency
If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call your local consulate first. Ask your hotel to contact local emergency numbers for you or call a colleague in your local office for help.

Remember that ultimately, staying safe while on the road is really a combination of smart planning and preparation, common sense, and discretion. Make the most of your business trip but stay safe!