New York, NY – May 26, 2016. IMG GlobalSecur, a leading international security consulting firm at http://www.theimg.com/, is proud to announce an important blog post on airport travel security tips for business travelers to international destinations. In light of recent events in Brussels and Paris as well as the tragedy of EgyptAir Flight 804, corporations worldwide are scrambling to enhance the security awareness of their business travelers. [Read more…] about IMG GlobalSecur Releases Tips on Airport Travel Security for Business Travelers in Light of Recent Events
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In light of the recent tragedy at the Brussels International Airport and the tragic incident regarding EgyptAir Flight 804, more and more corporations and business travelers are realizing that travel security is not something just for the streets and subways of Europe, but a frame of mind that must be active from the moment that one leaves one’s doorstep in the United States until the moment that one returns. Among the areas where one can take security for granted is, of course, the airport. As various terrorist attacks have indicated, airports are not completely secure, especially in those areas that exist before one goes through the security checkpoints.
Here are some thoughts about how to think about airport travel security for business travelers. Of course the readers of this blog are largely corporate travel security experts, but if you are a business traveler, you should also be able to find some useful information and food for thought.
Tips on International Travel Security at Airports
First, educate your employees about international employee travel security and about the fact that it is a frame of mind that should begin before, during, and after the travel. For example, even airports in the United States, and even minor airports as we learned during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, can be utilized as targets. Educate your employees, therefore, to always be vigilant when traveling. Educate them to look around at their surroundings and pay attention to any suspicious people or packages. Obviously, if something is truly suspicious they are advised to alert the various police or security officers.
Second, educate your employees to think broadly about travel security. For example, although terrorist attacks gather all of the headlines, the reality is that many, many more business travelers are subject to petty crimes when traveling abroad. It may not make headlines when a person is mugged in London, but if it is your employee who is mugged, that in a sense is a travel security problem. Similarly, while diseases such as the Z cut virus garner the headlines, the reality is that influenza kills many, many more people across the world than these high profile viruses such as Z cut or Ebola. Educate your employees to be aware of sick people around them in the crowded environment of an airport, and to move politely away.
Third, while on board an airplane, advise your employees to not let their guard down. Pay attention to the other travelers, and pay attention to the flight attendants and crew in terms of their instructions. With recent unfortunate events in terms of people who have been speaking Arabic on planes, also advise your employees and executives to be culturally sensitive and to not go overboard. Not everyone who is different is a security threat!
In sum, travel security for business travelers (both executive travel security and junior employee travel security) begins in their mind. Make the correct frame of mind a priority, and educate your employees that airport travel security is the first part of general international security.
Let’s assume that you are the travel manager at a large corporation. Many of the folks who read our blog are just that: their job is to make sure that employees and executives are safe when they travel abroad. Of course, as a leading international travel security consulting firm, we can advise in great detail as to steps to take to prepare those employees to be as safe as possible when traveling to Europe. In light of recent events in Brussels and Paris, we are receiving more and more questions about how to prepare employees and executives for travel to Europe.
Here are some tips.
Create a Plan and Other Tips for Travel to Europe by Employees
First and foremost, work with your employees and key executives to create a plan. As they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. In business this often is meant in terms of productivity. In terms of travel security, this can be the difference between life or death. Not to freak everyone out, but sit down with your key employees and executives and make sure that you have a written security plan. For example, clarify something as simple and obvious as who will check in on what days and how, and what will be done if a check-in is not made. We produce the innovative FoneTrac Travel Security App which makes this check-in very easy.
Second, advise your key executives and employees on the need to blend in. In European countries, even Americans or Canadians can stick out, and this is even more true if you travel to Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria or Russia. Sticking out is never advisable in a foreign situation, because something as simple as crime can target tourists and business travelers. It is also a good idea to leave expensive jewelry at home, again, to avoid being the victim of simple crime.
Third, work with your executives and employees on some basic cultural awareness. Go to Amazon, and purchase simple but explanatory books on the countries to which they will visit. Do something fun and make a simple cultural quiz. Being culturally aware is not only fun and important, but is also a way to mitigate any security risks.
Fourth, brainstorm various security risks that might occur in Europe. While unfortunate terrorist attacks grab the news headlines, the reality is simple things such as being mugged on the Metro or succumbing to the flu are often the more common certain security problems in Europe. Two Americans who are used to our Byzantine health system, the nationalized health systems of the continent are also mystifying.
Fifth, advise on what to pack that will help with security issues. For example, make sure that contacts are stored not only in one’s smart phone but also on traditional paper. In addition, make sure that both business and casual clothing are available, so that one can blend in when one is not on a business assignment.
The point of these tips is to make sure that you and your employees sit down and plan to be prepared for travel to Europe. To Americans, Europe is an amazing place to visit, because of its incredible history and culture. Remind your employees to have fun but also to be safe!