Business travel management group Gray Dawes is working towards accreditation by Maiden Voyage, a leading specialist in safety for female travellers.

In a recent survey conducted by Maiden Voyage, 42% of female business travellers said they had experienced some form of harassment while travelling on business.

And, with employers becoming more aware of their duty of care obligations, they are increasingly looking to their travel suppliers to tailor their services to cater for diverse traveller groups.

Besides advising travellers, Maiden Voyage also runs a certification programme for travel and accommodation providers and travel management companies to help them support female and LGBTQ+ travellers.

Suzanne Horner, chief executive of Gray Dawes, which is based in Colchester, said: “As a business, we firmly place the wellbeing and security of our own employees, and those of our clients, at the very forefront of our thinking.

“I have been aware of Maiden Voyage’s excellent work for some time and I am delighted to see that Gray Dawes will be one of the first UK travel management companies to receive their certification.”

Carolyn Pearson, founder and chief executive of Maiden Voyage said: “We are delighted that the Gray Dawes Group are undergoing our certification programme.

“We’re a great culture and values match and our leadership teams are very much aligned to support female travellers as well as being trail-blazers for making the entire travel industry more female-friendly.”

Suzanne Horner added: “We have learnt a great deal regarding female-friendly travel management during our accreditation process and remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all travellers through continuing to work closely with Carolyn and her team.”