“Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.” - Miguel de Cervantes When unexpected security situations arise with travelers abroad, there is a marked difference in response between trained individuals and those who are untrained. When facing security or safety challenges, the trained traveler or expatriate responds in accordance with what they have been taught and learned; they have protocols and pre-briefed responses as threats present themselves.
Organizations with multinational operations and those with employees who travel across borders are increasingly concerned about managing risk and the duty of care for their travelers.
The issue of security in Mexico is given extensive attention, much of it focused on the high levels of violence stemming from the fight between the Mexican government and organized crime. This conflict, widely referred to as a “drug war” routinely features in the news media with explosive headlines accompanying graphic images of dead and wounded as well as increasingly armed security forces.
The Arab spring along with the Japan crisis, and most recently, the floods in Thailand, have brought the topic of tracking travelers to the forefront for many security professionals but, even more importantly, so have the challenges in doing so. Here are three main challenges that continue to exist with tracking travelers globally today.
With threats of terrorism, political chaos, riots, kidnappings, and growing street crime, today’s international business travelers need to be aware of their surroundings and keep their guard up at all times to maintain personal safety. Navigating even the safest and most developed regions of the world, or those perceived to be, has become more challenging than ever. From Europe to Asia and even in our own back yard, events that can easily put an unsuspecting or unprepared business traveler in harm’s way.
As a security officer or manager for your company, you worry about the safety of your business travelers. However, following a few basic tips will help both you and those traveling feel more comfortable and prepared, wherever business may take them.
A recent survey of more than 570 U.S.-based corporate security professionals, travel managers, human resources executives, medical professionals and others reveals that 40 percent of respondents identify Latin America as the region that poses the greatest risk to their business travelers in 2011.