your opinion

Do your clients request sustainability initiatives at their events?
 
Do your clients request sustainability initiatives at their events?
Always
17%
Often
7%
Sometimes
45%
Never
31%
 
 

latest issue

Latest Issue

On the Safe Side

How to ensure the safety of female travellers 

By Connie Jeske Crane

On a recent trip, Meagan Rockett, associa­tion ambassador at Greenfield Services Inc. in Alexandria, Ont., was fast asleep in her hotel room—where her husband was to join her after some meetings. Awoken past midnight by a man tiptoeing around her room, Rockett was relieved to discover this was indeed her spouse. But the experience still left her irked. “My husband told me, ‘They didn’t even ask me for my ID at the front desk. When I asked for a key to your room, they just gave me one.’”

According to a 2011 Cornell University report, women are the fastest-growing segment among US business travellers: But while these numbers are growing and industry surveys rank safety as female travellers’ top priority, as Rockett’s experi­ence (with a major North American chain) indi­cates, mistakes happen.

The good news is planners can play a huge role in mitigating such risks. How to do it right? We asked the experts to weigh in:

Seek hotels with best practices
Many hotel chains, like Hyatt and Wyndham, have designed female-friendly initiatives. Do your due diligence and look for sites that pro­vide well-lit hallways, elevators with key card access, security escorts, discretion with guest room numbers, and careful room assignment (near elevators, off the ground floor, etc.). And, Rockett adds, “I would ask for references from other event professionals.”

Don’t patronize
Anne Thornley-Brown, president of Executive Oasis International in Richmond Hill, Ont., says planners should present options like valet parking or women-only floors matter-of-factly without singling women out as vulnerable. “Let people know their options and then they select what’s most comfortable for them.”

Communicate, communicate
With event staff, Evelyn Hannon, CEO and editor of Journeywoman, says planners should stress discretion around personal data. Ask staff to limit who sees attendee lists, and to list attendees by initial and last name only. Provide information briefs to travellers beforehand and include general safety information. Upon arrival, follow up with an orientation including local safety tips.

Address harassment
Besides dangers from the “outside,” Thornley- Brown says women also face harassment from fellow attendees, or discomfort with local cus­toms. Briefings, she says, can be used to help empower women and inform them of their legal rights. “Canadian law protects people from harass­ment…That applies whether you are in Canada or you are at a company function overseas.”

Further Reading:
Her Own Way, A Woman’s Safe-Travel Guide, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada

other articles in this section

The Waiting Game

Q&A with Suzanne Neufang, Executive Director, GBTA

By the Numbers

Keeping Corporate Data Safe

Are Your Female Business Travellers Safe on the Road?

Flight Turbulence

What’s your Data Plan?

Get it in Writing

Follow the money

In Harm’s Way

It’s all in the timing

Covering Trouble in Paradise

Flight Plan

For Safe Keeping

Smooth Moves

On the Safe Side

At Your Bleisure

Cover me!

Uber. Airbnb. Lyft…

Q&A with Anthony Pollard

Data Dilemma

Getting on track

So Long, Swipecards

Take your Best Shot

Benefits of Integrating Mobile Payment Platforms

Trend Setter, Dorothy Dowling

Newest Cloud Technology

Is it Time to Dust Off your Corporate Travel Policy?

The Future Travel Credit Management Solution

Planes, trains and data plans

When employees fall ill on the road

Burnout Busters

The Rules of Compliance

Communal Spaces Boost Hotels' Comfort Factor

Making the most of travel and expense management systems

May the Best Vendor Win

Evaluating disaster recovery plans

On the Road Again

Hotels Taking Wellness to a Whole New Level

Corporate Travel Tracker

Controlling Corporate Travel Costs

The Anti-stress List

The Blurred Line Between Corporate Travel Manager and Planner

Big Flight Discounts for Small Businesses

Are Business Travellers Putting Corporate Data at Risk?

Timesaving Mobile App for Superior Car Service

Company Car or Driver-owned?

10 Healthy Travel Tips

Navigating Emerging Markets

Business Travel Etiquette

Rogue Travellers on Spending Sprees!

Business Travel and Health

Social Media and Travel Programs

Baggage Handler Confidential

Travel Expense Reporting

Buses Mean Business

Travel Budgets Analyzed

Q+A with Ron DiLeo

Progressive Extended-Stay Programs

Dynamic Hotel Pricing

The Perfect Travel Management Company

The Kindest Cuts

Green Businesses

Travel Policy Compliance

Car Sharing: The leaner, greener choice!

Expense Accountability

Hotel Program Success

Costly Corporate Credit Card Programs

Travel Less, Save More?

Dynamic Pricing

Travel Program Success

Meetings Abroad: Are you Prepared?

Maneuvering Through the RFP Process

Cross-Border Air Travel

Time for a Travel Policy

10 Ways to Avoid Business Travel Pitfalls

Bargaining Table Car Rental Tips for Corporate Planners

Creating Travel Policy Compliance

Sustainable Travel Tips

Crucial Travel Policy Changes to Save Time and Money

Tipping Guide for Business Travellers

Corporate Travel Policy

Passport Essentials and Other Requirements

Managing your Company's Travel Risks

Duty of care to travellers goes beyond borders