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| Lone women travelers can optimize their safety by looking for secure hotels |
by Lacey Morrill
News editor |
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Over the past 10 years there has been an increase in the number of American women traveling alone in foreign countries. A Total Research survey showed that last year the number of women traveling on business had reached 50 percent. 78 percent of those businesswoman were traveling alone.
For many, what began as an adventure all too often turns into a nightmare. In fact, 61 percent of all lone women travelers reported that they were concerned for their safety, officials from the Travel Industry Association of America said.
Although women are rapidly becoming a large part of the tourism business, the lodging industry does not yet take into account that women traveling alone might require special protection, according to a study by the Women Traveling Alone Agency.
“The position of the lodging industry with respect to guest protection is simple: security is gender neutral and no special protection is to be afforded to a guest simply because she happens to be a she,” Betty Zachow, editor and publisher of Women Traveling Alone, said.
Many critics feel this needs to change.
“Policies that enhance security should be standard procedure for travel suppliers, and women need to know what they can demand,” Michelle Desreux, senior vice president of Uniglobe Travel Inc., said. “Women will clearly respond to suppliers who make an effort to help eliminate the challenges of traveling alone in foreign cities.”
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