Nine out of ten companies in a recent poll say they are still not open to international business travel and 46 per
cent say it will take six to eight months for it to resume.
Government travel restrictions and policies, such as quarantine
and entry restrictions are the greatest barrier to travel, according to the new
survey by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
Almost two thirds (63 per cent) of European respondents to the poll said that the restrictions were far more of a barrier than
company policy (32 per cent) or an unwillingness to travel on the part of the
employee (9 per cent).
Some 86 per cent of respondents in Europe believed that
rapid testing prior to departure, and waiving quarantining requirements for
those who test negative, would be the best way to open up international travel.
“The current patchwork approach to travel, particularly across
Europe, is prolonging the devastating effects of Covid-19 on both the industry
and the economy as a whole. It is evident from our latest poll that our members
would welcome the opportunity to travel again in a safe environment and would
be satisfied with the rapid testing approach pre-travel” said Catherine Logan, regional
VP, Europe GBTA.
Despite
the rapid growth and necessity for virtual meetings, 82 per cent of respondents
to the survey felt that face-to-face meetings are ‘more’ or ‘much more’
effective.
“There is a clear indication that regular business
travellers are looking forward to returning to travel and the benefits of a
face-to-face meeting are undisputable,” said Dave Hilfman, GBTA's interim executive director.
GBTA conducted the poll of
its members from 12-16 October and 927 responses were received.