Travel retail highlights

More than 850 million women will travel this year, and an innovative new personal safety device aims to help them “travel further with greater peace of mind”.

WanderSafe is described as a “non-violent integrated personal safety solution for travellers”. It is the brainchild of travel retail consultant and brand CEO Stephenie Rodriguez, who designed the electronic device in collaboration with former US Central Intelligence Agency safety expert Thomas Pecora.

The device pairs, via Bluetooth, with a smartphone app to deliver location-relevant safety information in real time. Features include a high lumen quick-click flashlight, second click disorienting strobe light, and a twist top 140db personal siren. A distress signal, with details of the user’s location, can be sent to contacts, employers or law enforcement representatives at the touch of a button.

Although primarily designed for women, the device can be used by anyone. One obvious instance in which the device would prove handy is for travel retail employees on overseas trips such as trade shows. So it is fitting that WanderSafe will be launched globally at the TFWA World Exhibition next week.