Have you ever thought of traveling alone and exploring different destinations? If yes, you aren’t alone. According to a new survey by Solo Traveler and Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), nearly 68% of people shared that they identify as independent travelers.
Hence, it’s no wonder that women today pack their bags and head to locales they want to travel to. While it brings ample excitement, it is also necessary for women to exercise the required caution.
Unfortunately, traveling all by yourself can expose you to trouble you weren’t aware of before. For instance, if you let a fraudulent travel agent fix your travel itinerary, chances are they might dupe you off your money by charging more.
That’s why women who love to travel solo should exercise a few safety tips to remain secure. This is what this article is all about.
- Keep Your Local Support Ready
Having local support when you are traveling solo is useful if an emergency arises. There are several ways you can do that.
Before you plan your travel, you can check with your circle of friends and relatives to see if they know anyone at your destination. A cordial introduction to anyone local will provide you with the necessary insight you need about the place.
Ensure that you have all the essential emergency numbers ready. For instance:
- Europe: 112
- China: 119
- North America: 911
- UK: 999
You can use resources like the International Greeter Association while traveling to a new destination. It doesn’t just offer you a great local perspective, it also enables you to call someone if you need any help.
- Be Careful When Using Ride-Sharing Apps
When you are traveling from one tourist site to another, it’s natural to book an Uber. It’s a popular ride-sharing app.
However, keeping in mind the growing number of complaints of sexual assault about Uber drivers, you need to be careful.
In the UK, Irwin Mitchell represented two women who alleged that Uber was incorrectly investigating an initial assault. It led to a second attack that took place in Leeds. The first mishap took place years back on December 6th, when a woman reported being groped by the Uber driver after her birthday celebration.
After six days, on December 13, another woman reported that an Uber driver inappropriately touched and attempted to molest her. According to Irwin Mitchell, a proper investigation of the initial case would have averted the second mishap. Even though Uber shared that they suspended drivers at the time of investigations, specific data wasn’t shared.
Both women had sued Uber, stating that the company failed in its duty to secure female passengers. Women who have faced similar instances have filed an Uber sexual assault lawsuit with the hope of getting justice. However, a legal complaint is effective in bringing notice to this acute concern and also helps you get the compensatory amount to cover damages.
Therefore, you need to be careful while booking an Uber when traveling. Check the driver’s feedback from customers and keep emergency numbers handy. Also, try not to book a cab at night, as most crimes happen then.
TorHoerman Law states that the increasing amount of violence and sexual assault by Uber drivers has led to several lawsuits filed against the company. Many women passengers using this app have reported harassment, rape, and other kinds of sexual violence. Therefore, it is necessary to exercise caution when you are traveling on your own.
- Have 24×7 Internet Access
Even a while back, using an internet connection while traveling was costly. However, things have changed.
Today, there are several options to choose from. One of the best that women travelers can rely on is UBIGI, a global cellular connectivity provider.
Are you wondering why it is necessary to keep internet access? The best benefit is that you can make free phone calls through multiple apps, like Skype, WhatsApp, and even Signal. In case of any help that you might need, you know that making a call is not an issue.
You must also keep data available for using safety apps in an emergency. For instance, some apps can help you translate texts, provide first aid data, and even have access to emergency services.
- Have Print Copies of Your Passport
You need to have printed copies of your passport that you can carry with you in case it’s stolen or lost. You should also have an e-copy of this in your Dropbox and Google Drive so that you can access it from any computer when in need.
If you want, you can even email a copy to a close friend you trust or your parents. That way, they can send it to you in case the original one gets lost.
- Use Social Media Smartly
Most solo women travelers love to travel and share it ‘in their gram.’ But you need to be slightly careful about posting details when you are traveling all by yourself.
Make sure that you don’t post in real time, as that can make fraudsters track you. Since you might have unknown followers, you can’t risk your data openly on social media.
Moreover, many people on your social media profile could live in the locations you’re traveling to. In case you wish to meet up with someone you know online, ensure that it’s in a public place. Even when people appear reliable, they might not be, and you shouldn’t put yourself in danger.
To sum up, women today are financially independent and love to lead their lives on their own terms. As a result, most would want to travel solo and explore destinations that they have always wanted to.
While it is exciting to explore various lands by yourself, you should also exercise some caution to keep yourself safe. The guidelines mentioned above will help you stay secure while traveling.
