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The Times of India

Title : TRAVEL SOLO but TRAVEL SAFE
Author :
Location :
Article Date : 03/04/2015
Travelling alone when you're a jet-setting professional is not an option, but a necessity . As
Women's Day (8th March) approaches, we give tips to avoid mishaps while doing so
As more women join the global workforce, new services geared specifically towards women
business travellers, are getting popular, from cab services to women-only hotel floors.
Although the travel industry is adapting to accommodate women travellers, they are still more
vulnerable than men when travelling by themselves. The fact that women are more vulnerable to
certain types of crimes now ensures that women must be vigilant all the time.
GENERAL TRAVEL TIPS:
1. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
Know your environment around you. Travel is very distracting and you're probably carrying more
stuff than usual.Take a second to look and see things that might be out of place, unusual or just
don't belong;
2. CARRYING A PHONE IS ESSENTIAL FOR BOTH SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE.
Keeping your cell phone on you at all times and making sure you have an emergency con tact
number programmed in speed dial are ways to ensure safety;
3. BE ALERT.
Pay atten tion when traveling.
Stay alert at all times;
4. SEPARATE YOUR FUNDS.
When you are traveling for busi ness, do not keep all of your bank cards in your wallet or purse;
5. AVOID TRAVELING ALONE AFTER DARK.
Travel in groups. Use well-lit pathways;
6. DO NOT ACCEPT RIDES FROM CASUAL AC QUAINTANCES;
7. CARRY `WEAPONS OF OPPORTUNITY' WITH YOU.
These are everyday objects such as water bottle, umbrella, rolled up magazine, etc. They can be
used as make shift self-defense tools;
8. YOUR VOICE IS A POW ERFUL WEAPON.
If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or threat ened, assume the defen sive body stance and
yell loudly and aggressively;
9. MAKE SURE

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people at home need to have your itinerary details, flight information, hotel information and phone
numbers;
10. ALWAYS FILL
out the emergency contact information at your workplace;
11. CHOOSE NATIONAL HOTEL CHAINS
with interior room entrances as opposed to motel-style residences with individual point of entries;
hotels with reception or concierge desks near the entrance deter potential threats;
12. ENSURE A ROOM WITH A PEEPHOLE,
preferably with no connecting door to another room is crucial; 13. WOMEN BUSINESS
TRAVELERS must never give out their room number;
14. CHOOSE A NATION AL HOTEL CHAIN
with a good safety record. Some hotels now offer women-only floors. Ask for a room above the
ground floor, near the elevator, and away from emergency exits and stairwells as well as those
near any renovation work;
15. BE CONFIDENT
and alert when inside of elevators; 16. ALWAYS STAND near the control panel, where you have
access to the alarm and floor buttons;
17. USE LAMINATED BUSINESS CARDS AS LUGGAGE TAGS.
Anyone checking the address will not know your home address and telephone number;
18. PLAN AHEAD.
Re search where your meetings or office parties will be and where you will be staying. Hotels at
the outskirts of a city may be cheaper but it can be a false economy if you have to take taxis
everywhere because you don't feel safe coming back after dark; By staying alert and using
common sense, there is no reason why female travellers should not have fun and still be safe.
The author is CHRO, outbound & specialists division & head of group training & development,
Kuoni India

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