In a world where business knows no borders, travel is a staple for success. Yet, for women business travellers, the journey isn’t just about boarding flights and sealing deals; it’s about navigating a landscape where safety, comfort, and convenience are paramount.
As the number of female business travellers continues to rise, organizations must recognize and address their unique needs. With an astounding 83% of female business travellers expressing safety concerns, it’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach to travel management falls short.
This disparity is further highlighted by the fact that while 63% of male business travellers often fly solo, only 48% of women are willing to share the same experience.
As a result, women are demanding their respective organisations to plan business travel with “women’s safety in mind.” This International Women’s Day, join us as we explore strategies that empower women to travel with confidence and ease.
Whether it’s avoiding late-night arrivals or going beyond standard protocol, keep reading to learn how companies can empower their women business travellers so that even the tiniest requirements of your travel plans are comprehensively covered.
In this article, we'll take a look at:
In today’s global business environment, recognizing and addressing the unique needs of women business travellers is paramount. Insights from BTN’s survey highlight key areas of concern and opportunity, guiding how companies and TMCs like TruTrip can collaborate to foster a supportive travel ecosystem.
Expense reporting emerges as a universal challenge, yet it carries specific implications for women business travellers. The complexity of reconciling expenses post-travel can be daunting, underscoring the need for more intuitive and responsive systems. By adopting streamlined and transparent processes, companies can alleviate the stress associated with expense reporting.
Centralizing payment configurations not only addresses this pain point but also mitigates concerns related to the inequity of expecting employees to front travel costs. TruTrip enhances this approach through detailed reporting tools, offering insights into travel trends and expenses that inform policy improvements, making the system more accommodating and supportive for women on the road.
Safety concerns, from severe weather to health emergencies, are amplified for women travellers. A robust duty of care strategy becomes not just beneficial but essential. Companies must evolve their safety protocols to include pre-travel advisories and real-time alerts tailored to the unique risks women might face.
TruTrip’s partnership with Riskline and Crisis24 exemplifies how TMCs can empower companies to keep their female employees safe through informed planning and immediate assistance, ensuring a secure and supported travel experience.
The concept of blended travel, combining business duties with leisure activities, holds particular appeal for enhancing work-life balance. Companies can embrace this trend by formulating policies that encourage such travel, offering resources and guidelines for seamlessly extending business trips.
TruTrip’s initiative to simplify the planning of blended travel experiences through smart policies and flexible bookings demonstrates how TMCs can facilitate these opportunities, enabling women to personalize their travel in a way that best suits their professional and personal needs.
The value placed on compensatory time for travel during personal time highlights a broader discussion on work-life balance. Companies are encouraged to collaborate with HR to establish flexible policies that recognize the sacrifices made by travellers, especially women who may bear a larger share of family or home responsibilities. While TMCs like TruTrip primarily focus on travel logistics, their ability to provide data on travel trends can inform discussions on compensatory time, supporting policy development that acknowledges and rewards the time women invest in travel for work.
The reliability of travel suppliers plays a critical role in the overall travel experience, with any gaps in service potentially affecting women more significantly. Selecting suppliers known for their reliability and support towards women travellers become a strategic priority for companies. TruTrip’s curated selection of reliable suppliers and commitment to robust support mechanisms exemplify the role TMCs can play in ensuring women have access to quality services and assistance, enhancing their travel experience with peace of mind and security.
Empowering women business travellers goes beyond just meeting their basic needs; it’s about creating an environment where women’s well-being is prioritised, and they can travel with confidence and ease.
As we continue to advocate for the advancement of women in the business world, it’s essential to recognise that their travel experiences are an integral part of their professional journey.
If you want to enhance the travel experience for your female employees and prioritise their safety, book a demo or sign up for a free trial with TruTrip today.
Discover how our tailored solutions can transform business travel for women in your organisation, ensuring they feel supported and secure every step of the way.
TruTrip streamlines booking, management, and reporting for hassle-free business trips.