PA Life continues to cover International Women’s Day, throughout March – Women’s History Month – that was celebrated on 8 March with the theme โAccelerate Actionโ. Elizabeth Samuel, Deputy Regional Head, Europe at VFS Global shares her insights with us: “We are excited to witness how we are all making making impressive leaps forward in the workplace and see how the growing numbers of women in business reshaping corporate travel for the better…
Over the past decade, the UK has seen a remarkable rise in women holding senior positions in business. Women now hold a record 42% of board positions in the FTSE 350. Female entrepreneurs also are establishing record numbers of new businesses; in 2022, for instance, women in the UK launched 151,603 companies โ more than twice the number of 2018.
This in turn means that more than ever, female professionals are traveling globally to lead business, close deals, and drive companies forward.
Rise of women in business is reshaping corporate travel
The corporate travel industry, in turn, is evolving to meet their needs.ย ย Today, women make up the majority of professionals on both the buyer and supplier sides of the travel industry. ย A recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) survey found that women represented 67% of travel managers & buyers and accounted for 57% of GBTA-affiliated travel supplier and travel management company professionals.
This is positive news as corporate travel policies have previously been slow to adapt to the changing gender balance.ย Business travel buyers โ be they company employees or contracted through a business travel-focused travel agency โ have often been typically focused on controlling costs and enforcing corporate travel policies, rather than thinking about the needs of female business travelers.ย ย For instance, a survey of business travelers found 71% of women felt work travel was less safe for them than men, with 19% believing employers should ensure safety.
An increase in female friendly corporate travel policies
But with more women now holding travel management and buying positions, it is starting to lead to positive female-friendly improvements in corporate travel policies. Companies are recognizing the unique needs of female travelers and are implementing policies to ensure their comfort, security, and well-being.
Two of the biggest concerns that female business travelers have are the location and type of travel lodging and safe travel. Now, more travel buyers are focusing on providing safe accommodation, reliable transportation, and real-time assistance for female travelers.
What’s being done to improve safety and security for female business travellers?
For example, travel management companies and hospitality providers are prioritizing features such as well-lit hotel locations; hotels with 24-hour receptions; providing transport rather than female travelers having to hail a taxi themselves; ensuring flights do not arrive late at night; and providing 24/7 support services tailored specifically to female business travelers. Travel companies should also provide information on cultural norms and traditions for travelers, so they donโt put themselves at risk unknowingly.
The Global Business Travel Association also recommends booking only hotel rooms with double locks for both female and male business travelers. It also stresses the importance that companies consider providing female business travelers โ at the very least, and all business travelers, ideally โ with registered chauffeured ground transportation, especially in foreign markets as an added layer of security.
The future of corporate travel is being shaped by female travellers
The future of business travel is increasingly being shaped by women, so companies must continue to adapt to their needs. What could the next trend be? My guess is that with the expansion of flexible work environments and remote opportunities โ as well as women becoming even more time-pressed โ greater numbers of women will be blending business with leisure, increasing the female โbleisureโ travel trend. This means that travel services must cater to both work and personal needs, ensuring that female travelers have access to amenities that support both their professional and personal well-being.
On current trends, the role of women in corporate travel and leadership will increase the demand for high quality services provided to female travelers. Furthermore, women are also likely to be more appreciative of employers that ensure that female business travelers feel empowered, secure, and supported in their professional lives.
