Lack of business travel ‘affecting work’

Business-Woman

Four in five business travellers (81%) have seen their jobs affected by a lack of cross-border business travel, new research shows.

A third say that not seeing clients face-to-face has negatively affected the way they do business.

A similar proportion of corporate travellers believe the lack of travel has made their company less productive, and 28% say they have felt unable to do their job effectively as a result.

The survey results demonstrate that while the majority of business meetings are now conducted via video call, there is a growing need and desire amongst a large number of business travellers to recommence travel, according to travel services and testing firm Collinson which collated the data.

British travellers on business would be most likely to pay a free seat next to them when flying, followed by Covid-testing upon arrival to improve their journeys.

Almost three quarters (73%) of travellers worldwide say they will prioritise their mental wellbeing more when they travel in future than they did before the pandemic.

This has risen from just one in three (35%) business travellers who raised concerns about the impact of business travel on their mental health before the pandemic, while a quarter (23%) said it increased their stress levels.

Collison joint chief executive David Evans said: “The research shows a tension between the importance of business travel, which employees say allows them to do their job better and makes businesses more productive, and caring for them while travelling”.

“In order to make business travellers feel comfortable travelling again, it won’t just be a question of Covid-19 measures such as testing and vaccinations”.

“Communication is key, and as such, employers and their medical assistance and TRM [travel risk management] service partners need to take a holistic approach regarding traveller wellbeing.

“This can include propositions directly addressing travel stress concerns such as access to lounge or working together with TRM solutions providers to explain exactly what’s on offer through these programmes and how employees can access these services.

“This is an opportunity for businesses to understand what their employees want from the future of corporate travel and build this into their programmes to offer the right support and provide a great experience for employees, partners and clients when taking to the skies again.”

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