What women must know when travelling
For women, solo travel – business or pleasure – can bring about adventurous and daring experiences. We use it as an opportunity to explore on our terms and meet new people. However, we often get caught up in the Eat, Pray, Love moment, and let down our guard to potential danger or mishaps.
Any business or leisure trip can be an unforgettable, positive one if we maintain a balance of caution and risk-taking. To get the most out of your next solo getaway, we turned to some of Amadeus’ brave road warriors for their safety tips that any traveller (male or female) can use.
Tip 1: “When I’m entering my hotel room, as I open the door, I yell, ‘Hi, honey, I’m back!’ to ward off any potential stalkers.” –Jessica Labaire, OTA Marketing Manager
Tip 2: “When the front desk clerk asks ‘how many room keys would you like?’ I always say “two” – even though I only plan to use one. This way, a potential lurker/stalker nearby isn’t tipped off to the fact that I’m traveling alone.” – Kristen Goldman, Internal Communications
Tip 3: “When traveling alone, I avoid wearing my ostentatious jewels to prevent kidnapping and theft.” – Andrea Vasquez, Event Planner
Tip 4: “I use a remote park and ride service with transportation to/from the airport that offers pick up and drop off at your car. This eliminates wandering through the airport parking lot to find my car.” – Teresa Lang, Small Business Specialist
Tip 5: “When I’m checking in luggage, I always take a change of clothes and essential toiletries with me. This way, if my luggage gets lost, I’ll still be able to look fabulous on my first night out in the town.” – Adriana Formoso, Senior Event Planner
Tip 6: “I let at least one trusted person know where I’m going/ staying, for how long, and if possible a contact number based there, send a quick text to alert I’ve arrived, and another upon return.” – Arlene De la Torre, Sr. Communications Specialist
Tip 7: “When I travel overseas, I always wear a cross body bag – not a shoulder bag – to keep my purse valuables safe. Also, I’ve learned to never initiate a conversation with Customs, Immigration or Border control agents – they don’t get sarcasm or humor.” – Beena Samuel, Regional Sales Manager.
Tip 8: “Never reveal the hotel where you will be staying in your destination to your seat mate. I had a situation where my flight mate was making a connection and all the flights were cancelled due to weather. As this was my final destination, it wasn’t a problem for me, but the passenger I sat with on the plane actually came to my hotel, called me on my cell, which he had from my business card, to say the hotel was sold out and he wanted to know if he could stay in my room. He continued to harass me and I had to turn off my cell phone and couldn’t leave my room.” – Paula Turk, Director of Key Accounts Canada
Tip 9: “I always request a non-connecting room when I check in at a hotel. I had a bad experience at a 5-star hotel where the connecting door was forced open!” – Guadalupe Robles, Business Development Manager
Tip 10: “When exiting or entering my car, hotel or restaurant, I do not text or talk on the phone so that I’m aware of my immediate surroundings. Walk tall and strut your stuff while being alert in unfamiliar territory.” – LaNoma Martin, Business Development Manager
Tip 11: “I have a small little mace spray on my keychain that I move to the rental car key chain and have it in my hand anytime I am to/from my parked vehicle.” – Elisa Gonzalez, Senior Business Development Manager
Tip 12: “Be aware of your important belongings when using airplane restrooms. Many of us forget to bring our purse with passport or wallet when we go to the lavatory, which leaves us vulnerable to potential thieves. If possible, use hidden fannypacks for your essential items (ID, money, credit cards).” – Lore Sebelle, Marketing Manager
Tip 13: “When I travel to NYC, I always stand away from the train or subway platform.” – Nancy Gale, Senior Business Development Manager
Tip 14: “Before leaving the hotel, I pre-plan my walking route. That way, I have a clear understanding of how to get to my destination.
Also, I’m not on my phone’s GPS trying to navigate directions or inquiring to random people on the street, which can distract you and put you at risk for street crimes.” – Casey Munck, Marketing Communications Manager
Tip 15: “When I’m at a restaurant, I always ask for an extra seat and place my purse on it.
It gives the impression that you are waiting for someone, most important, you have your purse at your sight.” – Beatriz Vasquez, Strategy and Planning Analysis Solo travel should be fun, empowering, and more importantly, safe!
So, for travel professionals booking travel for a busy executive or free-spirited adventurer, arm them with these helpful tips. After all, you want them to fall into the arms of a Javier Bardem, not a criminal.
Culled from New Telegraph
Any business or leisure trip can be an unforgettable, positive one if we maintain a balance of caution and risk-taking. To get the most out of your next solo getaway, we turned to some of Amadeus’ brave road warriors for their safety tips that any traveller (male or female) can use.
Tip 1: “When I’m entering my hotel room, as I open the door, I yell, ‘Hi, honey, I’m back!’ to ward off any potential stalkers.” –Jessica Labaire, OTA Marketing Manager
Tip 2: “When the front desk clerk asks ‘how many room keys would you like?’ I always say “two” – even though I only plan to use one. This way, a potential lurker/stalker nearby isn’t tipped off to the fact that I’m traveling alone.” – Kristen Goldman, Internal Communications
Tip 3: “When traveling alone, I avoid wearing my ostentatious jewels to prevent kidnapping and theft.” – Andrea Vasquez, Event Planner
Tip 4: “I use a remote park and ride service with transportation to/from the airport that offers pick up and drop off at your car. This eliminates wandering through the airport parking lot to find my car.” – Teresa Lang, Small Business Specialist
Tip 5: “When I’m checking in luggage, I always take a change of clothes and essential toiletries with me. This way, if my luggage gets lost, I’ll still be able to look fabulous on my first night out in the town.” – Adriana Formoso, Senior Event Planner
Tip 6: “I let at least one trusted person know where I’m going/ staying, for how long, and if possible a contact number based there, send a quick text to alert I’ve arrived, and another upon return.” – Arlene De la Torre, Sr. Communications Specialist
Tip 7: “When I travel overseas, I always wear a cross body bag – not a shoulder bag – to keep my purse valuables safe. Also, I’ve learned to never initiate a conversation with Customs, Immigration or Border control agents – they don’t get sarcasm or humor.” – Beena Samuel, Regional Sales Manager.
Tip 8: “Never reveal the hotel where you will be staying in your destination to your seat mate. I had a situation where my flight mate was making a connection and all the flights were cancelled due to weather. As this was my final destination, it wasn’t a problem for me, but the passenger I sat with on the plane actually came to my hotel, called me on my cell, which he had from my business card, to say the hotel was sold out and he wanted to know if he could stay in my room. He continued to harass me and I had to turn off my cell phone and couldn’t leave my room.” – Paula Turk, Director of Key Accounts Canada
Tip 9: “I always request a non-connecting room when I check in at a hotel. I had a bad experience at a 5-star hotel where the connecting door was forced open!” – Guadalupe Robles, Business Development Manager
Tip 10: “When exiting or entering my car, hotel or restaurant, I do not text or talk on the phone so that I’m aware of my immediate surroundings. Walk tall and strut your stuff while being alert in unfamiliar territory.” – LaNoma Martin, Business Development Manager
Tip 11: “I have a small little mace spray on my keychain that I move to the rental car key chain and have it in my hand anytime I am to/from my parked vehicle.” – Elisa Gonzalez, Senior Business Development Manager
Tip 12: “Be aware of your important belongings when using airplane restrooms. Many of us forget to bring our purse with passport or wallet when we go to the lavatory, which leaves us vulnerable to potential thieves. If possible, use hidden fannypacks for your essential items (ID, money, credit cards).” – Lore Sebelle, Marketing Manager
Tip 13: “When I travel to NYC, I always stand away from the train or subway platform.” – Nancy Gale, Senior Business Development Manager
Tip 14: “Before leaving the hotel, I pre-plan my walking route. That way, I have a clear understanding of how to get to my destination.
Also, I’m not on my phone’s GPS trying to navigate directions or inquiring to random people on the street, which can distract you and put you at risk for street crimes.” – Casey Munck, Marketing Communications Manager
Tip 15: “When I’m at a restaurant, I always ask for an extra seat and place my purse on it.
It gives the impression that you are waiting for someone, most important, you have your purse at your sight.” – Beatriz Vasquez, Strategy and Planning Analysis Solo travel should be fun, empowering, and more importantly, safe!
So, for travel professionals booking travel for a busy executive or free-spirited adventurer, arm them with these helpful tips. After all, you want them to fall into the arms of a Javier Bardem, not a criminal.
Culled from New Telegraph
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