{"id":177289,"date":"2024-07-04T17:28:40","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T15:28:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=177289"},"modified":"2024-07-04T17:28:41","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T15:28:41","slug":"ilios-janin-interview-travel-solution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/ilios-janin-interview-travel-solution","title":{"rendered":"T. Janin (Ilios): \"The only ones to offer a security solution focused on the traveller\"."},"content":{"rendered":"

Does the current situation in France pose a risk to travellers, according to Ilios International?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thibault Janin -<\/strong> I represent a security company, so I can't get into the political side of things. But yes, France is a source of concern for our European neighbours. The scenario of the RN coming to power is a very real one. taken seriously<\/strong> with, on the other hand, a restless extreme left. This could lead to problems on the streets. The advice given by our customers' security departments, and confirmed by our services, is to avoid all travel to France's major cities for a period of two weeks after the elections. That may yet change, but it's unfortunate. We used to give this advice mainly for countries in Africa and South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As far as Africa is concerned, many elections have been or are scheduled this year. How are they going?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T. J. - <\/strong>It's a big year for this. And the African continent is showing satisfied<\/strong> of these elections. We could have feared that things might get out of hand in Senegal, but they were very well managed. The same is true in Madagascar and recently in Mauritania. There are still more to come, but from our analysis, things should go well, particularly in Algeria in the autumn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before moving on to the more traditional issues of business travel security, let's look at the most tense areas at the moment, Ukraine and Russia on the one hand, and Israel and the Gaza Strip on the other. Does Ilios International work with clients in these countries, for example in Russia?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T. J. - <\/strong>Yes, there is continuity despite everything. Just as there was during the Second World War, when the Americans did business with Nazi Germany. Some French companies still has interests in Russia<\/strong>Russia continues to send gas to Europe, either directly or indirectly. Similarly, Russia continues to send gas to Europe, either directly or indirectly. Obviously, these movements in Russia are less easy from a logistical point of view. Hence the need to pay particular attention to the hierarchical position of the person sent there, as well as the time spent in the country and the people we meet. There is a way of dealing with certain subjects, or not dealing with them at all. Everything is tightly controlled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You mentioned Russia. As for Ukraine, are your customers still travelling there too?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T. J. - <\/strong>Yes, including engineering, construction, electrical engineering and import-export companies. Their main aim is to maintain contact rather than to carry out commercial transactions, until the country gets back on its feet <\/strong>one day or another. As far as Ukraine is concerned, first of all we don't accompany our customers everywhere, but mainly to Kiev and Lviv, usually by road from Poland. These tailor-made missions are prepared right up to the last minute, with appropriate logistical and operational resources. Most often several vehicles, geolocation systems and armed resources, prepared for an emergency evacuation in a matter of minutes. Right up to the last minute, we may have to advise a customer against leaving if the security or geopolitical context has suddenly deteriorated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ilios International Operations Centre.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are such precautions necessary when travelling to Israel and Palestine?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T. J. -<\/strong> Already, no one goes to Gaza any more. In Israel, apart from at the border, there is no real need for accompaniment, apart from learning how to react in the event of bombing. Of course, if a traveller ever feels unsafe, we can provide an escort and a car, but nothing more. On the other hand, for trips in West Bank<\/strong>In other countries, where our teams are in the process of responding to a project, things are more complicated. As in the Ukraine, it's also a case of hand-sewing, and we can delay a mission at the last minute, or even cancel it altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with the exception of Israel, business trips must be rare these days.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

T. J. -<\/strong> These conflicts get a lot of media coverage, but most travellers avoid these areas. When we think of business travel and international mobility, we think of the economic heavyweights of North America and Asia. But French companies, and Western companies in the broadest sense, are seeking new growth drivers<\/strong>. In this context, Africa and South America have quite a few major projects underway. Little by little, things are starting to balance out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n