Business Travel Safety Hacks Every Work Traveler Needs To Remember
Business travel can be fairly sheltered. It’s often associated with things like conferences (which are at high end hotels usually), visiting major cities and corporate hubs (often ill go from an airplane to a taxi to a hotel to a conference room and then back on an airplane).
But there are some risks associated with travel, especially if you’re accustomed to a pretty sheltered experience. I’ve been in Caracas, Johannesburg, Mumbai, Beijing, New York City, Mexico City… anywhere you travel, there’s a potential for risk. It’s always a good idea to do some research, and I’m sharing six business travel safety tips that I’ll recommend for almost any destination.
Before going on a recent trip to Buenos Aires, I received a packet of safety instructions, in which the first sentence read: “Remember this is South America, not United States.”
Considering the European architecture, and Buenos Aires global status it could be easy to forget that once you’re there. Regardless, it’s always good to be aware of your surroundings and practice safe travel routines, so here are a couple tips, things I do to minimize risk when I travel.
Travel With Multiple Wallets- Keep your expired credit cards, library cards, and fake cards that come in the mail as offers. Load up two or three wallets for a trip and spread your real and fake stuff throughout each. Separate your passport and drivers license so if you loose one, you’ll have the other. Be aware of where your most important stuff is, and if you have to give up a wallet, know which pocket it’s in to quickly grab it. I’ve also thought about doing this same thing with an old cell phone, but never have.
Speaking of Cell Phones – don’t walk around with your phone out. Avoid looking at maps, filming stories, or talking on your phone unless you KNOW it’s safe. I suggest that you stop walking, turn into a little corner, or rest your back up against a building if you need to glance at a map or re-calibrate your sense of direction.
Never Resist a Robbery- Give up everything immediately. Your life is way more important than replacing your stuff.
See Related: My Handbag Was Stolen: Now What?
Electronics Security- Maybe I’m paranoid, but I rarely connect to hotel and airplane WiFi anymore. Both are usually unsecured networks. If you’re abroad and can’t use your data service or hot spot, then it might be necessary, but don’t leave your devices connected all the time. Connect, send and receive what you need to, and then disconnect.
See Related: Internet Safety Tips
Taxis – When I take a taxi, I always wait and watch them load my luggage into the trunk prior to entering the vehicle. I suggest you negotiate the price up front (I’ll usually have already asked the hotel about pricing so I know what to expect). In certain countries, I will sit up front instead of the back. If you know there’s a high frequency of car jacking, sitting up front makes you less of a target because you don’t immediately look like a client, and also it reminds everyone around you that you know the game.
See Related: I Left My Luggage In A Taxi- Now What?
Pay Attention– I cannot stress this one enough – PAY ATTENTION! Don’t zone out in car rides or at restaurants. Look and listen to what’s going on around you. If you don’t speak the language, try to LISTEN for any words you might know. People can tell when you’re paying attention and it makes you less of a target. LOOK for people you’ve seen before, if you recognize someone more than once in a big city, that’s a warning sign, also if you’re engaged and looking around, you’re less of a target for crime.
See Related: Hotel Safety Tips
Safe travels everyone! Do you have any business travel safety hacks? Please share below. You can keep up with Business Travel Life Contribute Julie Anne Cormier by following her on Instagram @Julieannefrenchfry.
All photos were taken by author Julie Anne Cormier
Business Travel Life
Business Travel Life is an online resource supporting the road warrior lifestyle. We give business travelers the tools they need to maintain their wellness and productivity when traveling. The topics we cover include business travel tips, travel workouts, healthy travel hacks, travel products, general travel tips, and industry trends. Our goal is to make business travel a healthier experience – and to make healthy travel practices more accessible to all road warriors.
