Before sending your best employees overseas, gain insight on how certain risk factors might impact corporate travel security on upcoming trips. Forest Travel’s expert security insight helps you navigate the process from beginning to end. Knowing local culture and customs goes a long way toward making a great first impression and building new business relationships.

1. Cultural Education

Although rare, conflicts can arise through unfortunate mistakes rooted in differing cultural practices. Your corporate travel security policy should include some preparatory guidelines for employees before arrival. Here are a few recommendations by our experts to help things run smoothly:

• Provide employees with a few short education classes on cultural etiquette
• Offer a short language course including simple helping phrases and greetings to assist your team as they navigate a new culture
• Have your team meet with an experienced mentor or other experts to gain tips 

This type of cultural preparedness and extra consideration helps develop collaborative relationships – a huge advantage when it comes to closing a deal.

2. Local Laws and Customs

Gaining insight on local laws and customs that may be different from home is a great preventative measure before departure and it helps increase corporate travel security on business trips. Avoid any cases of misunderstanding by informing your employees before they go. Here are some ways you can help prepare your team:

• Create a list of items that may be prohibited before travel
• Outline dos and don’ts before sending your team overseas
• Highlight local laws that may be an issue for your employees

In some countries, alcohol is prohibited or a certain form of dress is expected when in transit. Prepare your team ahead of time and help them blend in with ease.

3. Personal Safety

Part of your corporate travel security policy should include briefing on personal safety – including any risk to personal safety from natural events. Knowing how to contact the local embassy and access resources nearby is a must when traveling to a risky destination. Food and water safety should also be addressed. Are employees expected to dine out or have meetings over dinner and drinks? Or are they cooking for themselves using local resources? 

• Arrange for a meeting with a travel doctor if the location is prone to foodborne illness 
• Create a list of local resources in case of medical or natural emergency
• Obtain the necessary reading ahead of time to prevent incidents while traveling

If your team needs medical assistance, take care that they have the information they need to seek it. When in transit, always expect the unexpected and know what to do in cases of natural disasters and other unexpected events.

Fine-tuning your corporate travel security policy means examining these issues before departure. Not sure where to start? A corporate travel program can include more structure to your travel plans. Contact our experts at Forest Travel for local advice and business expertise.