| ALONE
ON THE ROAD
Travel
industry responds to women's security needs
Dawn McCoy-Ullric
 |
| The
Pan Pacific San Francisco offers female guests escorts to their rooms, among other
services and amenitites. | As
a security measure, most hotels insist that front desk clerks refrain from announcing
room numbers out loud. Many have installed electronic locks with numberless keys
and security codes that are changed after each guest leaves. In-room fax and data
ports, voice mail and exercise equipment in the hotel allow travellers to maintain
daily routines or keep in touch with the office without leaving the safety of
the hotel. Many
American hotels have already taken measures to meet women travelers' needs. The
Pan Pacific San Francisco supplies female guests with a personal escort to their
room, and each room is equipped with an easily accessed button to summon emergency
help.
Take
precautions
· Request a room with a peephole, dead bolt and chain lock. Make sure it
has no connecting door to another room.
· Select hotels that take
extra measures to ensure personal security.
· Travel light. Women
should wear comfortable, flat shoes so they can move quickly through terminals.
· Read or work while travelling; you look less vulnerable if you are
busy.
· Use crowds to be inconspicuous. Stand in a group while
waiting for a cab or subway.
· Whenever possible, make arrangements
to arrive before dark.
· Before driving away in a rented car,
make sure the gas tank is full, the tires are properly inflated and all doors
are locked. Take a cell phone for emergencies.
· When booking
a suburban hotel, be sure it's in a safe neighborhood.
| Loews
Hotels and the Wyndham Hotel in Itasca, Illinois are among those that set aside
networking tables in their restaurants for solo travelers who prefer to eat with
others. Also high on "frequented" lists are hotels that provide business
lounges with space for safe, neutral meetings. Wyndham
also started giving guests a ring five minutes before room service delivery upon
the suggestion of its advisory council. Guests don't have to worry about being
in the shower or having to rush to get dressed for someone coming into the room.
Exercise-conscious
guests can hire a jogging partner at the Omni Hotel in Detroit and at all Loews
hotels. Running escorts for joggers at the Luxury Collection Hotel in Houston
are provided on a complimentary basis and the service includes chilled bottled
water, fresh fruit and a plush towel upon return.
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