Staying Safe in 2012
Travel Guard’s Tips for Business Travelers
STEVENS POINT, Jan. 11, 2012 – In the world of business travel, 2011 was a quite a year. Not only did business travelers see travel costs continue to rise, but they were also introduced to some new, very real issues regarding their own personal safety and security. From public protests to unstable economies, business travelers learned first-hand the importance of being more cautious and vigilant than ever in order to keep themselves and their personal information safe and secure.
According to Carol Mueller, vice president, Travel Guard North America, learning from the events of 2011 can help business travelers stay safe and prevent losses in 2012.
Economic Instability
In 2011, economic chaos spread through many nations in Europe, as well as other parts of the world, and there doesn’t appear to be an immediate end in sight. Economic crises breed desperation, which has led some thieves to engage in new illegal ways to obtain larger amounts of cash quickly.
As this situation continues in 2012, business travelers should be aware of the growing trend of express kidnappings, says Mueller. In this scenario, a traveler is abducted, then driven around all night and forced to withdraw money from numerous ATM machines until the individual has accessed all funds available in a bank account. Though the traveler is usually released unharmed the next day, they undoubtedly lose their sense of safety, in addition to the cash.
The Rebirth of Public Protest
It began in Tunisia, manifested itself in Egypt, camped out on Wall Street then moved through Europe, Asia and beyond. Citizens came to voice their disapproval of fraudulent elections, corporate greed, crime and corruption and more. 2011 will forever be known as the year public protest came roaring back to life, its fire fed by the power of social media.
With the rise of social media and the proliferation of mobile devices, a large group can be assembled almost instantaneously. These “smart mobs” can grow exponentially, and even become riotous and even dangerous, once communication begins to spread online. Mueller advises business travelers to be prepared in advance, should they encounter a situation while traveling domestically and abroad.
“If business travelers find themselves near a large group of protesters, the best tactic is to move away from the area as quickly as possible,” says Mueller. “They should avoid mass transportation and head directly to their hotel.
If their hotel is far away, travelers should seek refuge in a public building with its own security such as a bank or department store – so long as they stay far from the windows which could be broken if the situation turns violent.
“We also urge business travelers to check-in often with their office or a designee back home,” adds Mueller. “Should the situation escalate to the hotel or surrounding area, business travelers will more easily be able to stay in contact with those who can help them, be it their employer, family, or third-party resource like their travel assistance services provider.”
Smart Phones and Smarter Criminals
Smartphone penetration has skyrocketed in recent years, and, according to a recent report by Nielsen, now accounts for 44 percent of the market during the three-month period ending in October 2011, up from 18 percent in the same period of 2009. The News of the World scandal brought phone hacking to the forefront of the media, illustrating just how easy it is for outsiders to access information stored on a mobile phone. While that case centered on voicemail messages, passwords, confidential documents and personal information can easily be stored on a mobile device as well, making a business traveler susceptible to hackers who have become savvier than ever.
When traveling in 2012, Mueller advises business travelers to keep as little proprietary information as possible on their computers and mobile devices. The slight inconvenience of not having everything at their fingertips is miniscule when compared to identity theft and compromised business documents and information.
Additional Coverage for Business Travelers
Given these emerging concerns, as well as the ongoing potential for disruptive natural disasters and inclement weather that could lead to trip delays and cancellations, business travelers have even more variables to manage and be concerned about in the coming year. To assist in managing the financial impact of loss associated with business travel, Travel Guard offers the Business Traveler plan, an annual, per-person comprehensive travel insurance plan that now includes security evacuation in addition to medical expense coverage and 24/7 access to a suite of assistance services.
For more information about Travel Guard’s Business Traveler plan, business travelers can talk to their corporate management company, call Travel Guard’s World Service Center at 877.653.2516, visit www.travelguard.com, or email directly to businesstravelguard@travelguard.com