Women in business travel: the slow mix of genders

"I spend my life travelling for work, and I have the impression that everything has been done for these men in grey. As if they needed reassurance"regrets Inès de la Fressangenew ambassador of MGallery by Sofitel. In 2013 a programme for women - "Inspired by Her - and is due to roll it out to all the network's boutique hotels by the end of this year. These establishments will offer bathrobes and slippers in several sizes, a hairdryer worthy of the name, make-up mirrors and full-length mirrors... In short, a form of "positive discrimination to her customers, which the former model fully embraces.

A few years earlier, the Hyatt had already explored this avenue, with the management of the Hyatt Paris-Madeleine hotel, for example, explaining that "restrictions on hand luggage, together with new security measures, mean that women have to travel with different equipment." The hotel has therefore started to offer business travellers quality hair products and more appropriate beauty treatments for manicure, pedicure and hairdressing.

Some might see this as a simple marketing posture. Others will feel that a hotel room should create a hospitable environment for all travellers, regardless of gender. After all, hoteliers apply a strict "gender neutrality" in their rates. gender equalitywhich is still in its infancy in the pay grids companies. So, for the same price, why should women travellers have to 'swim' in slippers twice their size? All the more so since, according to a study published by MGallery, the idea of a hotel offer dedicated to female customers seems to be well received: 86 % of women and, more surprisingly, 80 % of men say they are in favour of a programme aimed at female travellers.

Silly things

"Depending on whether the room was designed by a male or female designer, there are clearly practical differences, such as the hairdryers not being located next to the mirror."says Carolyn Pearsona specialist in women's business travel and founder of maiden-voyage.com. "Generally speaking, my needs aren't that different from those of a man, testifies Aurélie Kraupartner at Festive Road and frequent business traveller. But there are all those little extras that make the difference. At the risk of sounding cliché, there are all the practical things a woman on the move needs: a beauty salon, hairdresser, nail bar... And there are even the simple things like space in the bathroom for beauty products. We're talking here about design and the way hotel rooms are conceived.."

Of course, the problem is not limited to room design. Travelling alone still often exposes a woman to embarrassing situations. This prompted Carolyn Pearson to found the international network of women business travellers Maiden-Voyage to encourage exchanges between professionals. "My employer had sent me to Hollywood for a meeting, and I realised just how much you can do if you want to. feeling lonely in a hotel or restaurantshe explains. For a woman, this can sometimes mean additional complications, a loss of productivity and a loss of income. increased tension. You can't always sit alone in a bar or restaurant without being approached by men. So I decided to create a social network to connect female business travellers with each other, offer hotel reviews and even safety training."

This apprehension is reflected in the booking habits of female travellers, who may, for example, opt for a long-stay establishmentEven when you're away for a short while, you can enjoy a certain amount of privacy. Karim MalakChief Operating Officer ofAdagio Apart-hotelssays: "We often receive business travellers who are only staying for one night, because they don't like to go to restaurants alone and prefer to dine quietly in their room.".

Heavy loneliness

The loneliness of the female traveller not only has a psychological impact. It also exposes her to various dangers. "All travellers have the same safety needs, but being a woman involves additional risks, underlines Aurélie Krau. I've experienced it myself: when you find yourself alone at night in the street or in certain dangerous destinations, being able to count on a "close guard" can be very reassuring. You feel looked after."

For Christelle Tiliketefemale close protection officerall it takes is for a woman to be alone to become prey, whatever the city. Women are more vulnerable, less inclined to fight, and it can be very tricky to cry out for help. We are also witnessing a resurgence of certain archaic mentalities, according to which women have no place and are a target.."

Even if the rule also applies to men, preparing for a trip is crucial. Employers must fulfil their duty to protect beforehand - the famous "duty of care - and take gender into consideration. "I still see, in a rather crazy way, companies sending women alone to do business in sensitive areas."explained at the time Alain Juilletthen Chairman of Club of Corporate Security Directors (CDSE). "Fortunately, their numbers are decreasing. Everyone has established a minimum of rules"he adds. "Employers and travel agencies focus too much on the cost managementrespect for travel policybut not enough on the securitylaments Carolyn Pearson. Companies must better choice of hotels with which they work, ensure that the establishments in their hotel programme meet the requirements of the 'duty of care'. The hotel must also assume its responsibilities and put in place measures to limit access to room passes, install a double lock, etc.". A number of news stories could prompt the hotel industry to adopt these measures, particularly in view of the misfortune that befell a guest at a Nashville hotel. The reporter Erin Andrews was filmed without her knowledge from her door peephole by an individual who then posted the video on the Internet... An establishment that was condemned by the courts in 2016.

Discretion and security

Appropriate solutions can also help to retain female customers, who are often more sensitive to certain facilities. Customer reviews bear witness to this, as in the case of Teresa, a business traveller who writes on the HRS booking platform about a London establishment: "As a woman travelling alone, I felt safe because the outside door of the hotel was locked, preventing anyone from wandering in.."

Customers can also take certain precautions themselves, such as asking the receptionist to do not communicate your room number too loudly at the time of recording. Without sinking into paranoiaThe issue of security does not spare the major Western business destinations. "There is no such thing as zero risk"reminds Christelle Tilikete for whomsafety must be the number one rule everywhere." Of course, emerging destinations remain the most exposed - and there are more and more of them - but the feeling of insecurityThis vulnerability also concerns traditional business centres such as Paris, London or New York. "I love the convenience of Uber, but as a woman it makes me really uncomfortable to be alone in a car with a man I don't know."said a recent user of the VTC service.

This is the kind of testimony that has contributed to the growth of taxis driven by women and for women. Since the arrival of Pink Ladies Cabs in London ten years ago, the idea has spread around the world: She Rides in New York, Viira Cabs or Womencabs in India, Ladies Taxi in Dubai... In France, the female VTC offer is being organised with players such as Women Drive, Femmes au volant or even Ladies Drivers on the Côte d'Azur. While in other countries these vehicles are usually painted in a distinctive pink, the French players are playing the sober card. "Our company does not want to fall into cliché"explain those in charge of Femmes au volant, whose members are "chauffurettes also accept male customers.

The cliché, the temptation of the stereotype These are also the excesses faced by market players, who sometimes walk on eggshells. Reservations are often expressed about hotels that dedicate floors or even the entire building to female guests. "What's insulting are the facilities that [these hotels] claim will make us choose the women's floor. In other words, clubs for pussies, with curling irons and yoga mats."said the journalist. Billie Cohen in a column on CNTraveler.

Reserved floor

"In some countries, such as India, a floor reserved for women can be a good initiative if it is done properly, with all-female staff."says Carolyn Pearsonfounder of Maiden Voyage, before qualifying: "More generally, I think that developing hotels exclusively for women is not a solution. It pushes things too far." Aurélie Krau seems to share this view: "I'm not convinced of the merits of a 100 % offer dedicated to women. However, we have to be pragmatic: depending on the destination, I would feel safer in a setting dedicated to women.". Visit pragmatism This may well be the a third way between inaction and opportunism to meet the needs of every traveller. And that means female travellers.