A new poll shows that more than 40 per cent of travel programmes now include special consideration for lone women business travellers.
The Business Travel Show Europe (BTSE) research – published to coincide with this week’s International Women’s Day – reveals that 42 per cent of travel managers are now prioritising the needs of women.
The figure is up 11 per cent on September 2021, with a further 7 per cent of respondents stating that they intend to introduce change within the next 12 months.
Porsche’s head of travel management Brigitte Lehle said that “Changes in working life, and also in the mindset of society, have led to increased compatibility between family and work for all parties (parents – men and women, and organisations)”, adding that women are also increasingly occupying professions that require business trips.
Meanwhile Shelley Mathews, general manager, sales and partnerships, CTM Europe said that clients had been asking the firm to provide more and better support for lone women travellers for some years.
“This can be anything from requiring hotels or specific hotel rooms that are viewed as more secure, to eating in business lounges rather the hotel bar, and using pre-booked chauffeur cars over hiring on-street taxis, for example,” said Mathews.
“As a global TMC operating all over the world, we provide our customers with detailed local information relating to specific countries and cultures that may impact women travellers, too.”
Rachel Connolly, Business Engagement Liaison for private hire cab and courier service Adisson Lee, told BTSE that the firm had partnered with UN Women UK and its Safe Spaces Now campaign to provide its drivers and colleagues with specific training to improve their awareness of women’s safety.
“The training that we will deliver through this partnership will empower our drivers to report any concerns they have with a woman’s safety and also educate them on what makes their vehicle a safe space for someone who may feel unsafe or vulnerable,” said Connolly.
The Business Travel Show Europe returns as a fully face-to-face event at London’s Excel this year, with new dates of June 29-30, 2022. Visitor registrations are now open at businesstravelshoweurope.com.
