In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, recommendations by health authorities caused both personal and professional travel to suddenly stop, causing a reduction in travel by nearly 90 percent compared to the previous year. The Global Business Travel Association, the world’s largest business travel association, predicts business travel spending won’t fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic until 2025. However, GBTA does forecast a slight growth of 21 percent in business travel spending for 2021. While organizations prepare to resume business travel, either now or in the months to come, it will be crucial for business success to create a plan that manages travel risks.  

We can expect to see long-term safety measures such as temperature checks, social distancing and personal hygiene standards, mobile self-service tools, and standards of cleanliness for airlines to stay in place for the long haul. However, it’s up to organizations to create a safety plan that allows employees to mitigate travel risks while also protecting business opportunities. 

Creating a Safety Plan for Business Travel 

As organizations create their own custom plans, it’s important to reflect on current and potential changes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Risk management experts suggest businesses use the following factors to assess the risk of traveling for the long-term. 

Reassess what is essential 

RiskVersity suggests reassessing which trips are deemed essential and placing multiple approval points within the organization. In a pre-COVID-19 world, travel managers or department heads would be responsible for signing off on business travel. Now, however, it’s important that more people are involved in the decision-making process, including those who will be traveling. As travelers continue to face safety risks, the priority should remain on meeting employees’ needs and well-being. 

Conduct destination evaluations

When a business trip is deemed essential, it’s important to consider the risks that come with it including: accessibility of medical care in the event of an outbreak, whether the traveler is at high risk for severe illness, bans and travel restrictions at the destination, and the overall security and safety of the traveler. 

Create safety protocols at every touchpoint

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of assessing safety at each point of the trip—from the airport and taxi to the hotel and meeting room. Organizations must try to review safety measures being taken at each stage of the trip. This means hotel accommodations must be as safe as transportation options, or else the risk has not been managed well. 

Return from travel 

Organizations should have screening protocols put into place for employees returning from business trips and clearly communicate these expectations. Employers should also understand that any perception of discrimination against traveling employees could discourage others from traveling. It’s important for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to employees’ safety while also providing a sense of confidence when it comes to business travel.  

Our team recommends that  organizations begin implementing travel risk management strategies now, so they are well positioned when travel needs begin to increase. By following the guidelines above and continually addressing the safety and health concerns of employees, organizations will be better equipped for travel in the future. If you’re ready to start mitigating risk for your own traveling employees, our team at RiskVersity is ready to help.