The US travel ban is spreading “fear and uncertainty” among the business travel industry, according to an ACTE study.
The organisation surveyed 300 global travel buyers to find out how it has impacted travel programmes and travellers.
It found 20 per cent see the ban posing difficulties for their company and 25 per cent are concerned over traveller harassment, limited access to pool of employees, visa issues and fear of reprisals for US travellers in Middle East countries.
The study asked “whether the travel ban will reduce your company’s travel", 36 per cent answered “somewhat” and 3 per cent “significantly”.
US president Donald Trump recently signed an executive order banning refuges from entering the US for 120 days and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries for three months. The countries affected are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. This also affects those with dual nationalities, although certain nations including the UK have been exempt.
ACTE labelled the findings “unacceptable” and called for more data and dialogue to be able to move forward on this issue.
“Thirty-nine percent of respondents said that the travel ban will significantly or somewhat reduce their corporate travel. This too is unacceptable for an industry that has to endure too many crisis in one form or another,” ACTE said.
Complete Survey Results:
The ACTE Travel Ban Survey revealed:
1) Is the US travel ban from select countries (Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) posing travel difficulties for your company?
• Yes = 20%
• No = 46%
• Not yet sure = 34%
2) What is the nature of the travel difficulties?
• Fear of traveller harassment = 6%
• Fear of reprisals or harassment of US travellers in the Middle East = 5%
• Uncertainty regarding Green Card and approved visa credibility = 4%
• Limited access to employee pool = 2%
• All of the above = 25%
• Not sure yet = 16%
• Did not apply = 38%
3) What do you project could be the lasting impact of this ban?
• Cancelling of contracts with US-based companies and Middle-Eastern firms = 11%
• New and intensified threats against US travellers abroad = 22%
• Immediate complications with existing travel arrangements for a significant number of travellers = 23%
• Not yet sure. = 44%
4) In response to the question, Will this travel ban reduce your company’s travel:
• 3% percent said, “Significantly.”
• 36% percent said “Somewhat”
• 61% said “Not at all.”
Industry response
BBT has gathered responses to the ban from a number of companies and organisations:
American Express Global Business Travel said: “In light of this ban, we are making every effort to support impacted business travelers on behalf of our customers. We’re also working with our customers individually to help them get their travelers to their destinations and back as quickly as possible, consistent with Department of Homeland Security requirements implementing the executive order.”
Paul Wait, CEO, GTMC is advising all of its members to “monitor the situation closely” and follow official advice from the Foreign Office.
Paul East, chief operating officer, UK/Europe & Americas, Wings Travel Management, said: “We are assessing visa/entry requirements on a daily/hourly basis and will manage on a case by case basis as when an issue arises. To date we have no travellers who have been affected.”
A CBI spokesperson said: “Businesses are concerned to avoid any negative impact on individuals doing their jobs, and economic activity more broadly, therefore firms will welcome the recent Foreign and Commonwealth Office clarification.
“A sensible immigration policy, balancing control and openness, will ensure that trade continues to boost prosperity not only on both sides of the Atlantic, but across the world.”
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter