Top Travel Safety Myths Business Travellers Still Believe

As business travel continues to bounce back, so do the assumptions that can put corporate travellers at risk. Despite the rise in digital tools and awareness, many professionals still fall for outdated travel safety myths often unknowingly.

Let’s unpack the most common misconceptions still circulating among frequent flyers and global teams, and what your company can do to protect your people (and your reputation).

1. “I’m travelling for work, business trip are safe by default.” -

   
   

   Reality: Just because it’s a business trip doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. In fact, corporate travellers are often more targeted due to expensive tech, branded clothing, or high-profile itineraries.

   
   

   What to do: Conduct a risk assessment for each destination, and offer pre-travel safety briefings even for “low-risk” cities.

   
   

   

   
   

2. “It’s fine, I have travel insurance.”

   
   

   Reality: Insurance is essential, but it's not prevention. It won’t stop an incident from happening; it only helps after the fact.

   
   

   What to do: Pair insurance with proactive travel safety training to reduce the likelihood of emergencies in the first place.

   
   

   

   
   

3. “I’ve travelled before, I know what I’m doing.”

   
   

   Reality: Experience doesn’t guarantee preparedness. Situations change, new scams, unrest, or even cultural missteps can put experienced travellers in danger.

   
   

   What to do: Encourage regular refresher training for seasoned travellers. Confidence without current knowledge can lead to carelessness.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

4. “If something goes wrong, I’ll call the embassy.”

   
   

   Reality: Embassies are limited in what they can do, especially in fast-moving situations. They’re not emergency response units.

   
   

   What to do: Make sure travellers know local emergency numbers, have contingency plans, and understand when (and how) to act.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

5. “I’m in a nice hotel, I’m safe.”

   
   

   Reality: High-end hotels can be targets themselves. Public areas, rideshare pickups, and unsecured Wi-Fi all pose risks, even in 5-star accommodation.

   
   

   What to do: Train your staff to stay alert wherever they are, especially in places where business travellers are known to frequent.

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

 The Bottom Line:

Safety isn’t about fear, it’s about preparedness. And in today’s fast-changing world, business travellers need more than a boarding pass and a policy.

Customisable, accredited safety training equips your team to respond smartly and safely, wherever work takes them.

Read more about how to protect your team with proactive, real-world travel safety solutions → www.callidafreemont.com/travelsafety