According to the Global Business Travel Association, 503 million business trips took place in 2016, which is up from 488 million the previous year. Most of those include solo business trips that can leave the traveler on their own, in an unfamiliar city, which can be uncomfortable and possibly unsafe. Before boarding your plane, catching a train or hitting the road in your car make sure you prepare yourself with safety tips that can help keep you safe.
Here are a few tips on how business travelers can stay safe while on solo business trips.
Research your travel destination and hotel – Most of the time travelers don’t have a say in what city they are visiting or which hotel they are staying at, so be sure to do your research well before heading out on your trip to find out more about the place. Checking out reviews online is a great way to get first-hand information about visitors’ experiences so you know what to anticipate or what to be aware of. It is also essential to locate where the closest police station and hospital are in case of any emergency.
Keep in touch – Let family or friends know your travel plan and where you’ll be staying in case they need to contact you or they notice something off and need to inform the authorities. It doesn’t hurt to periodically check in with a text or email either to just to let them know you are alright.
Don’t make yourself a target – Try to avoid having both headphones in when listening to music while taking a trip or getting around the city you are visiting. Not only it can be distracting and keep you unaware if someone is showing up from behind, but it can also alert pickpockets to the fact that you have a phone or music player on you. Moreover, leave expensive jewelry at home.
Don’t overdo it – Many times business trips have downtime where you can check out the city or enjoy a drink at a local club. Be sure to stick to known safe places in the city and don’t go overboard with the drinks. It’s necessary to keep your head on straight and stay watchful, especially since you are alone. If possible, do your exploring during the daytime and stay close to your hotel during the night.