Global business travelers feel more nervous at train or subway stations than at airports, according to research commissioned by travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT).
Business travelers are most worried about subways and train stations (50%), walking (42%), ridesharing services (39%), buses (39%), taxis (36%), and trains (35%). These are six of the ten top areas of concern – ahead of airports (34%), airplanes (31%), eating out (30%) or hotels (27%). Travelers from the U.S. are most worried about subways and train stations (56%), while Canadian travelers are the least worried (38%).
“Travel managers should focus their safety and security programs on what travelers worry about most,” said Christophe Renard, vice president of CWT Solutions Group, the consultancy arm of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, in a written statement. “Small things like providing clear instructions on getting out of the airport, trustworthy suppliers, basic tips on how to address dangerous situations – these can all make a big difference.”
Ridesharing Services Versus Taxis
As ridesharing services like Uber become more common, displacing traditional taxis, travelers now make little distinction between the two. Travelers still feel marginally safer in taxis, though. Travelers from Asia Pacific are the most concerned overall: 43 percent feel nervous using ridesharing services and 39 percent are uneasy when taking a taxi. In the Americas, the numbers are 40 percent and 39 percent respectively, and in Europe 34 percent and 28 percent. US travelers are the most concerned (44%), while Canada travelers are the least concerned (31%).
Female business travelers in Europe and Asia Pacific are more likely to feel nervous about personal safety when using ridesharing services or taxis than men.
Taking a closer look at ridesharing, 56 percent of women from Asia Pacific feel very or somewhat nervous versus 38 percent of men. Taxis make business travelers from Asia Pacific less nervous - 48 percent of women and 35 percent of men feel very or somewhat vulnerable when hailing a cab service. In Europe, the differences are less pronounced. For ridesharing, 38 percent of females versus 31 percent for males are very or somewhat nervous compared to 36 percent versus 22 percent for those utilizing a taxi service. In the Americas, there is no statistical difference between genders.
Even though ridesharing is associated with the younger generation, the findings show that these travelers are more concerned about personal safety. Millennials in all regions are the most worried, followed by Gen X travelers and Baby Boomers.
In Asia Pacific, half of the Millennial travelers are very or somewhat concerned when using a ridesharing service, followed by 44 percent of Gen X and 35 percent of Boomers. In the Americas, 47 percent of millennials, 42 percent of Gen X and 29 percent of Boomers are very or somewhat concerned when using rideshares. In Europe, the numbers drop to 44 percent, 34 percent and 21 percent, respectively.
These differences might be down to gender. According to the research, gender differences appear to track the differences seen between generations. This may be because males are more likely to travel for business the older they get, but the opposite is true of female business travelers. The younger women are, the more likely they are to travel for business.
Source: Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Related Stories
Stats: Gen Z Spends Up to $750 Per Trip on Travel
Stats: 40% Say Vacation Benefits Only Last a Few Days
Stats: Orlando, New Orleans Top Fourth of July Travel Destinations