The incoming second wave of coronavirus and uncertainty
about the path the outbreak will take over the winter months has cause the
majority of companies to turn their attentions to 2021 for the potential
recovery of business travel, according to the latest poll by the Global
Business Travel Association (GBTA).
In the latest coronavirus survey conducted from 15-19
September, the GBTA found nearly half of its member companies expect their
employees to return to in-person events in the first half of 2021. An
additional 25 per cent predict a return in the second half.
While most respondents do not expect their company to host
in-person meetings, events, or conferences in 2020, there’s growing optimism
for 2021, with 37 per cent expecting to put on some or many meetings or events
in Q1, rising to 61 per cent by Q2. An average of one in four members are still
unsure, which the GBTA said reflects the general “wait and see” approach caused
by uncertainty around the pandemic.
And with some countries such as the UK advising citizens to
once again work from home if they can, company plans to return to the office vary,
with one in five reporting a return in 2020. This rises to one in three expecting
to go back to the office in the first half or 2021 – including 28 per cent who
plan for this return in Q1 – but one in five are still undecided. Only 16 per
cent of respondents have already gone back to the office.
When asked what factors would influence their decision to
return to the office or put on meetings and events again, 52 per cent said it
would take an effective vaccine, while 24 per cent want to see decreased
Covid-19 transmission rates worldwide. Only 8 per cent requested increased
coronavirus testing and rapid results reporting, while 3 per cent said they
would be assured by slowing unemployment and growth in global economies.
However, the role of the travel manager and the necessity
for a managed travel programme has placed high on the boardroom agenda
throughout the pandemic, with 48 per cent of respondents saying their senior
managers value a programme “much more” or “more” than they did before Covid-19.
This number rose to 51 per cent when asked about key stakeholders such as HR
and risk management teams.
Dave Hilfman, interim executive director of the GBTA, said: “While
there is no doubt the current global uncertainty around a second wave is
delaying the return to business travel, the outlook for 2021 is looking more
positive with companies planning a return to face-to-face meetings and events.
It is encouraging to see businesses planning their return to the office in a
careful and safe way.”