Travel security not “a waste of time”

23 Jul 08

The Anvil Group is advising business travellers on the importance of safety and security at airports in the wake of Barclaycard Business’ latest survey results.

The annual Barclaycard Business Travel Survey is now in its 12th year, surveying the views of more than 3,000 executives to build a comprehensive picture of the British business traveller, eliciting up-to-the-minute views on travel attitudes and behaviour.

Barclaycard Business’ latest survey shows that a disturbing number of CEOs, chairmen, company directors, managers and executives are now less tolerant of airport security measures, with 17% of commercial moguls surveyed branding them “a waste of time”.

Although 90% of business travellers apparently feel safe when moving through airports, The Anvil Group – a specialist in crisis avoidance services – has stressed the importance of remaining alert at all times.

Important to corporate success

“Though there have been drastic improvements in airport security over recent years, it’s worth remembering that the trip from the airport to the hotel exposes the traveller to even more threats,” warned Matthew Judge, director at The Anvil Group.

“Travellers should move through check-in and security to the Departure Lounge as quickly as possible to avoid being exposed in insecure and crowded areas. In today’s world there’s no room for lacklustre attitudes towards safety and security.”

Business travel is an important part of corporate success. Despite the current economic climate, the need for such travel both on a domestic and international basis remains as strong as ever. With security issues at long last nearing the top of the corporate agenda, businesses need to ensure that the traveller is fully aware of their employer’s Travel Safety and Security Policy, and adhere to certain common sense measures.

“It’s important senior level executives understand that the higher up they are on the corporate ladder, the greater the risk of extortion or kidnap,” continued Judge. “If a company doesn’t carry out a proper risk assessment of a travel destination, it’s willingly placing employees in harms way and not equipping them with adequate information that might have a significant impact in relation to their Health and Safety and general well-being.”

The majority (91%) of respondents to the survey said they feel safe when travelling through airports for business, with only 6% of business leaders suggesting they don’t feel secure. Of the 6% who feel this way, the global security threat was indicated by the highest majority (41%) as being of greatest concern. Increased security measures were welcomed as necessary by respondents despite the delays caused.

Security on trains “could be improved”

While additional safety measures at airports instilled a sense of security, almost half of respondents (48%) said they would like to see enhanced measures on other forms of transport. More than three quarters of respondents (79%) suggest that security on trains and at stations could be improved. In contrast, only 9% feel that further protective measures ought to be introduced on the London Underground.

The results also demonstrate an overall support for security checks, with 82% of CEOs surveyed by Barclaycard Business happy to undergo precautionary checks. 10% of CEOs do feel such checks are “unnecessary” and that they “waste valuable time”.

Denise Leleux – director of commercial cards at Barclaycard Business – told info4security.com: “These results confirm that while security is a key concern for business travellers, on the whole British executives welcome the increased safety measures put in place by Governments and private sector organisations alike. By necessity, the business traveller is quite resilient and continues to travel despite international security concerns. That has been shown by the increase in travel this year.”

Regional differences are marked

Other findings revealed by the survey confirmed regional differences. Respondents based in Greater London were least concerned about travelling to an unknown location (22%), while those from the East Midlands (69%), for example, find travel to new destinations a worry.

In addition to regional attitudes, the survey also highlighted opinions on personal safety, with almost half (46%) of CEOs and directors harbouring concerns over personal well-being. Younger business travellers were more concerned about personal security than their more senior counterparts with more than half (51%) of 18 to 30-year-olds highlighting this concern compared with 43% of those aged 66 and over.

Personal security is something that occupies the minds of 46% of the 3,397 business travellers questioned. Women are more concerned (61%) about their personal security when travelling on business than men (44%). Married employees (45%) are the most worried about security when travelling on business. Those in a relationship (32%) and singles (27%) are the least concerned.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, older employees feel their own health is a somewhat more important factor than security when travelling on business. 72% of the ’51 years old and over’ respondents worry most about their health when travelling.