Recent research shows European business travellers are less concerned about safety and security on the road than their counterparts from the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
A study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel found that while more than a third (37 per cent) of Europeans worry about their safety, nearly half of those from the Americas (47 per cent) and 56 per cent of Asia-Pacific travellers are concerned.
Despite recent events around the world, terrorism ranks fifth among travellers’ concerns while on the road (35 per cent). Topping out the list was ‘forgetting something needed for work’ (40 per cent), followed by ‘losing something important’ (38 per cent), being robbed or attacked (37 per cent) and weather conditions (37 per cent).
The CWT Connected Traveller survey of more than 1,900 business travellers also found that two-thirds (67 per cent) believe travel is safer today than it was in the past, citing the availability of more tools as a way to mitigate concerns. Seven out of ten use at least one of their employer’s security protocols, such as traveller tracking or emergency contact profiles, while more than two-thirds purchase travel insurance to cover their trip.
The research uncovered some interesting regional differences in the use of safety tools. For instance, 41 per cent of Asia-Pacific travellers signed up for real-time risk notifications, while only 33 per cent of Americans and 29 per cent of Europeans use the service. More than a third of those from Asia-Pacific researched and planned local medical or security services, while only 25 per cent of Americans and 20 per cent of Europeans did the same.
Simon Nowroz, CWT’s chief marketing officer, said: “We found that, yes, the world seems scarier at times – but travellers believe they have more tools at their disposal to keep them informed and safe.”
View the full infographic here.
carlsonwagonlit.com