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Millions of business women travel abroad every year. And whether CEOs, senior executives or junior managers high-flying females are stimulating an explosive growth in the ever-expanding travel industry.
In 2007 a Mastercard survey of personal travel conducted in major markets found 42 per cent of women polled had travelled in the past 12 months compared with 37 per cent of men. It also showed a sharp increase in the number of women travelling on their own with around four in every 10 trips taken by lone female travellers – up significantly from just one in 10 in the mid-1970s.
But while being independent is important for high flying females executives; staying safe is vital too.
Marybeth Bond, author of Best Girlfriend Getaways Worldwide says that as women journey around the globe, they need to adapt their behaviour and the way they dress to ensure they not only protect themselves but also find success in their business dealings.
Where possible dress in a manner consistent with Western businesswoman," she explains. "For example wear conservative business suits, trousers, and simple jewellery and don't show toes or cleavage."
Evelyn Hannon, Editor of Journey woman.com, the largest online travel resource for women, also advises women to be 'culturally correct in their dress'. She emphasises the need to "err on the conservative side' to ensure you do not attract unwanted attention from men or muggers.
"The best way for a thief to pick you out of a crowd is not the colour of your skin or the shape of your eyes, it is what you are wearing," explains Hannon. "If you are dressed the way local women are dressed a pickpocket will not necessarily choose you first. They won't be sure if you are actually someone who lives in the area or an unsuspecting visitor. More often they will target a woman who doesn't seem to fit in, someone who stands out in a crowd." One of Hannon's top tips for those travelling in the Middle East and Asia is to blend in with the crowd by carrying a local newspaper even if they can't read it. "Potential thieves will pay less attention to you," she says.
Another deterrent is to go shopping: "One of the first things a woman traveller should do when she arrives in a new city is find the local grocery store and make a small purchase just to get a shopping bag with the store's logo on it," Hannon explains.
"Then to avoid looking like a foreigner leave your handbag at the hotel and carry a camera and maps in the grocery bag. The reason being that thieves are far less likely to steal your shopping bag than your handbag." For those alone in the Middle East, Bond says women should never volunteer this fact. "To ward off unwanted male attention, wear fake engagement and wedding rings if you are not married. Also make hotel reservations using a married title."
According to the Travel Industry Association, internationally women account for about 40 per cent of business travellers, but the figure is rising steadily year-on-year.
"As businesswomen, we are everywhere; on planes, checking into hotels, renting cars, giving speeches, talking on our mobile phones, texting on our blackberries, and making important deals all over the world. Business travel is an essential part of modern corporate life and in the next few years more than 50 per cent of all business travellers will be women. Although travel can be a wonderful perk for many, it is not always fun or glamourous," says Bond.
She also stresses the need for doing your groundwork: "To prepare psychologically, learn as much as you can about the destination you are going to. Practically, pack well in advance, get a good night's sleep before you leave and make sure you call home regularly.
"Don't over plan your trip. Give yourself some quiet, unstructured time to relax and enjoy your new environment. Try to exercise every day, drink lots of water and relax. Treat yourself to one little luxury every day; a bubble bath, an hour's shopping or even a spa treatment. You've earned it." SOURCE business 24-7
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