RISKY BUSINESS

Business travellers need their wits about them more than ever these days - with strategies in place should the worst happen

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Seasoned travellers know it's not a question of if things go wrong, but when. From flight delays to lost luggage, travel is full of unexpected hiccups.

In extreme situations, a missed connection could be the least of your worries. And as travel starts to surge again post-pandemic, so too do the risks. Health and security risk management outfit International SOS recorded a 16 per cent increase in security and medical alerts issued in 2023 compared to 2022.

"The resurgence in global travel comes at a time in which the travel security landscape is increasingly complicated by geopolitical events, natural disasters, emerging diseases, social unrest and evolving crime dynamics," says Michael Rogers, chief security analyst at International SOS. "Today, more than ever, travellers need to remain informed of prevailing risks and mitigation measures."  Risk and security management companies act as both morbid fortune teller and guardian angel.

Analysts pore over forecasts and trends to assess existing and emerging risks, and create strategies to mitigate against these threats and enable business travellers to get their jobs done. Should things hit the fan, they are also poised to execute emergency protocols that cover everything from hostage situations to volcanic eruptions.

Saskia Veldhuizen, senior security coordinator at international risk management firm Healix, explains: "Our job is different every day. One day we might be providing intelligence reports on political elections, the next we're conducting full-scale evacuations from Khartoum or dealing with a kidnapping in Haiti."

BE PREPARED

Forewarned is forearmed when it comes to risk. Experts stress the importance of doing your background research and having situational awareness. Are there any political tensions? Is it monsoon season? Are there cultural or religious dress codes to be observed?