April 2010
-
CWT keeps you informed
CWT Traveler Trendbarometer: Focus on meetings and events more
Insider and expert knowledge: The latest edition of CWT Vision more
Avoid credit card fraud and identity theft more
CWT Traveler Trendbarometer: Focus on meetings and events
The meetings
and events field is coming under increasing scrutiny as companies try to optimize
costs effectively in this area as well. This is why we asked you in the last
edition of CWT Traveler Trendbarometer to what extent meetings and events at
your company have been affected by the current economic situation. Here’s
what you answered:- We have suspended all events for the time being: 8.3%
- Only the most important events are being held: 66.7%
- We’ve switched over to teleconferencing: 8.3%
- We still have the same number and variety of events as always: 16.7%
The results provide a clear picture: only one in six companies hasn’t cut down at all on meetings and events. The others have all drastically reduced the number of events in order to lower costs. But this is not the only way. In our new section “CWT Meetings & Events”, CWT Traveler demonstrates that radical elimination of meetings and events is usually not the best solution.
In our new CWT Traveler Trendbarometer we’re turning our attention to something completely different: thefts during business travel.
Have you ever been the victim of a theft during a business trip?
Insider and expert knowledge: The latest edition of CWT Vision
- “Savings on Demand: the Principals of Demand Management”
- “Preferred supplier or lowest logical airfare: which policy is right for you?”
- “Evolving your hotel program: Combining transient spend with M&E”
These are just some
of the issues addressed in the latest edition of CWT Vision which is published
by CWT’s Travel Management Institute. The magazine is designed to help travel
management professionals generate more added value from their travel programs by
providing them with analyses of business travel trends, information on best
practices, and practically-oriented insights into this fast-paced industry.
Individual features authored by various experts at CWT are accompanied by
interviews with leading business travel specialists. Many of the articles are
based on original studies conducted by the CWT Travel Management
Institute. The new edition of CWT Vision is available in German and English and can be downloaded here.
Avoid credit card fraud and identity theft
The security of personal and financial information while traveling is an important concern for business and leisure travelers alike. Unfortunately, travelers are sometimes targets for theft of both physical items and financial/personal data. With a combination of common sense and strategic safety precautions, travelers can avoid many potential threats.
Trip preparation
Before traveling, clean out wallet/purse.- Take only the credit card/s needed, minimal cash, and travelers’ checks when possible.
- Leave the Social Security card, membership cards, and all other unnecessary information at home.
To prepare a laptop for travel, consider the following:
- Make sure security applications and software updates are current.
- Use a system password as a basic security feature.
- Use file passwords on confidential files.
Staying aware of surroundings
- Since travelers often spend much time in public places, awareness of surroundings
is of utmost importance.
Do not discuss or work with sensitive information in a public place, including an airplane. - Ensure the privacy of laptop on-screen data; others may be able to view this confidential information.
Be careful when providing credit card or other financial data to anyone. For example, if receiving a call to your hotel room from someone claiming to be a hotel staff member asking for credit card or other financial information, go to the front desk to resolve the matter rather than providing credit card information over the phone (scams using this tactic have been reported by hotel guests). Do not provide credit card numbers out loud where it can potentially be overheard.
Careful connections
Cyber criminals set up fraudulent networks in all sorts of places including airports and hotels, hoping to lure unsuspecting Web users to their connections. The computer-security giant Symantec has provided the following tips for avoiding attacks.- Use only the official access keys provided by the entity supplying the Wi-Fi. Some Wi-Fi networks look legitimate, but they will link the traveler’s computer to the hacker’s.
- Always assume Wi-Fi connections are being eavesdropped—never enter Social Security numbers, bank accounts, etc., when browsing on a public Wi-Fi network.
- Set Bluetooth devices to “hidden,” not to “discoverable.” Or shut off the function completely.
- Don’t look at important websites or documents in public areas.