For some travellers, loyalty is more important than safety. These are the findings of a survey of 2,000 people conducted by Carlson Wagonlit Travel and published on 31 May. According to the Travel Management Company (TMC) three out of ten business travellers prefer to disobey the rules set by their company in order to benefit from loyalty programmes hoteliers. This situation can be a source of anxiety for many companies trying to put in place a security policy. The " duty of care "For some years now, the "duty to protect" has been the number one priority in the world of business travel. The fact that 30 % of professionals give priority to the benefits of the loyalty programme over security imperatives is worrying.
In this study, Carlson Wagonlit Travel nevertheless points to regional differences. These include American businessmen are more tempted than the average (39 %) to put their loyalty points before the rules set by the company. Europe (34 %) and Asia-Pacific (28 %) follow closely behind. Swedish professionals even take the prize in this study, with the majority of these business travellers (51%) not hesitating to go outside the framework of company policy. " It's clear that travellers attach a great deal of importance to the loyalty points they earn at hotels - they'll go to great lengths to earn these benefits. "says David Falter, Chairman of RoomIt.
Terrorism at the bottom of the list
Carlson Wagonlit Travel also asked respondents about their concerns. Strangely enough, terrorism (33 %) or fire (36 %) are not at the top of the list. The French are particularly worried in underground stations and railway stations (63 %). The CWT study also shows that hotels crystallise the fears of business travellers. Despite a general perception of safety in these establishments - 30 % Asia-Pacific, 27 % Americans and 23 % Europeans) - the respondents do not seem to have confidence in the staff... Indeed, 41 % of respondents are concerned about a hotel employee inadvertently giving their room key or information to a malicious person. Other customers also cause anxiety. Respondents are worried about possible disturbances caused by other residents (40 %). But one fear shared by one in two business travellers, and particularly acute among the French (52 %), is an intruder entering their hotel room.
Simple tips for greater safety
David Falter proposes a number of solutions to alleviate these anxieties. Items such as door wedges, removable locks and travel alarms can help travellers feel safer in their hotel room. ". The chairman of RoomIt also has another piece of advice for limiting the risk of intruders while maintaining a certain level of fire safety: " Security experts generally advise occupying a room between the third and sixth floors, where it becomes difficult for an intruder to break in, but still within reach of most fire ladders. ".
