In today’s fast-moving global economy, business executives travel more than ever. Developing business in remote and austere regions with higher levels of risk, where competitors cannot or are unwilling to do business, creates a competitive edge in business markets. Foreign business activity in these regions can benefit the local economy and reduce overall risk through advancements in technology and infrastructure.
For example, the advancements in mobile phones and internet service in remote regions of Africa have given people access to the benefits of banking and credit, telemedicine, and voice-over-internet, enabling nearly free worldwide communication. These new modern conveniences have improved the lives of millions. But while opportunity awaits abroad, so do real dangers.
In high-risk regions, business travellers face threats not only from violent crime, armed conflict, and terrorism but also from a lack of modern healthcare and limited infrastructure, which directly affects the personal safety of business travellers. Understanding and preparing for these risks can mean the difference between a successful trip and a life-threatening ordeal.
Industries at Greater Risk
Some industries must regularly operate in unstable environments. Oil and gas workers, mining teams, construction managers, NGO staff, security consultants, and journalists are frequently deployed to places where central governments are weak and danger is ever-present.
The unfamiliarity with local business culture can be challenging for foreigners to navigate. In many areas where the central government has limited control, local traditions or tribal laws take precedence. Being unaware of these generations’ old practices can lead to the failure of the effort.
For example, energy sector employees often work in remote facilities in the Middle East and Africa, exposed to militant insurgencies and lacking immediate medical care. Construction firms build infrastructure in politically fragile nations, where bribery, civil unrest, and collapsing services are everyday risks. Mining companies venture deep into unstable regions, such as the Congo or Papua New Guinea, where they face criminal groups and the hazards of isolation.
Travelling to dangerous regions is part of the job in these industries, making proactive security, intelligence gathering, and emergency response planning essential.
Threats to Executive Travellers
Executives are particularly valuable—and visible—targets. Kidnapping for ransom is a persistent threat in countries where militant groups and organised criminals operate unchecked. Criminals will conduct surveillance on unwary executive travel patterns to identify and target specific vulnerabilities of those travellers.
Cybersecurity is another primary concern. A single connection to a public Wi-Fi network at an airport lounge or hotel could expose sensitive corporate data, leading to severe financial and reputational damage.
Natural disasters and disease outbreaks can suddenly disrupt travel and isolate executives in unfamiliar territory, leaving them vulnerable to unforeseen challenges. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and pandemics compound risks in already fragile areas. Additionally, there is a possibility of communications blackouts, and travellers can find themselves alone, without the ability to call for help.
When operating in volatile regions, situational awareness, strong contingency planning, and immediate access to trusted support are no longer luxuries—they’re lifelines.
The Most Dangerous Countries for Business Travel
Some destinations carry persistent risks for business travellers. Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Venezuela, and Iraq are among the most dangerous, plagued by conflict, weak governance, and terrorism.
Honduras, El Salvador, and certain parts of Mexico suffer from rampant violent crime, corruption, and deteriorating law enforcement, all of which elevate risks for visitors.
Civil unrest, often unpredictable and violent, is another major threat. Countries like Haiti, Lebanon, and Nigeria have seen mass protests and government instability that trap foreign travellers in escalating crises.
Executives operating in or near these hotspots must have real-time intelligence, emergency response plans, and robust evacuation resources.
Protecting Business Travellers
Business travel to high-risk destinations demands more than traditional planning. Leading security protocols now recommend that companies integrate real-time intelligence platforms, emergency communications systems, and traveller tracking technologies into their risk management strategies.
Tools offering business travellers access to destination-specific threat intelligence, targeted event alerts, Satellite location tracking, and secure messaging capabilities are essential. These resources are crucial during emergencies, such as civil unrest, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or infrastructure failures, when conventional communication channels may be disrupted.
For corporate chief security officers, centralised control centres enable security teams to maintain real-time situational awareness, monitor global developments, and communicate directly with travelling employees.
Risk management technologies for businesses increasingly recognise that early warning systems, reliable communication, and immediate access to expert support are essential to protecting international travellers. In today’s volatile landscape, preparation, adaptability, and intelligence-driven decision-making are essential for maintaining safe business operations and protecting personnel.
By Harding Bush
BIO:
Harding Bush, associate director for security operations at Global Rescue and a former Navy SEAL, provides security planning, guidance, risk advice, and extraction services to global corporations and organisations. Harding spent years in Yemen as a field security manager at remote oil production facilities.
