This blog provides insights into the travel risks faced by minority groups, including the LGBTQ community and lone women travellers. It also explores the risks when travelling to and from emerging markets.
Business travellers always need to be aware of their surroundings en-route to the airport, in transit and especially at their destination. Travelling on business is risky for a variety of reasons. The most obvious risks when travelling to unfamiliar environments are accidents, injuries, illness, disease, crime or theft. Furthermore, travel disruptions due to weather or natural disasters, can cause schedule and productivity problems, resulting in missing important meetings or events.
For minority groups, business travel can be an even riskier proposition - especially for women, members of the LGBTQ community, and travellers to and from emerging markets. Therefore, it's important that employers take steps to protect these vulnerable groups when they travel on company business.
Women Travellers
Women are more likely to be victims of sexual assault when travelling abroad. According to the World Economic Forum, women are 1.4 times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment or violence while travelling. In emerging markets, this figure jumps to 2.6 times more likely; in rural areas it rises exponentially to three times more likely; and if you're going somewhere with low levels of gender equality (such as Saudi Arabia), your chances go up even further - to five times greater than for male travellers.
LGBTQ+ Community
LGBTQ+ travellers may face discrimination, harassment, or violence in certain countries or regions where societal attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals are less accepting. Corporations must ensure that they meet their Duty of Care responsibilities in protecting vulnerable employees required to visit countries that are considered to be extremely dangerous for this traveller group. It is important to conduct necessary research of local laws and cultural attitudes and that the correct steps are taken to protect employees while travelling on business.
Travel to Emerging Markets
The risk of disease, crime, and safety issues are higher in emerging markets than developed countries. Companies should perform a comprehensive risk analysis of their travelling population. They should also provide appropriate training so that employees who travel to emerging markets know how to protect themselves.
Travel Risk Management Course
Travilearn's Level 1 TRM Course explores the steps corporates needs to undertake to identify potential gaps in their existing travel risk management programme. It then provides guidelines on how to develop or update the necessary plans, processes and tools as required to improve practices.
Topics Covered:
Identify travel risks through Gap Analysis
Create a Travel Risk Matrix by traveller group
Policy and pre-trip approval guidance
Steps to mitigate risk
Guidance on safety and risk standards
How to track and report on traveller behaviour
For more information on Travilearn's Travel Risk Management Courses,
visit our Academy
Email: karen@travilearn.com
Website: www.travilearn.com