Companies now see health and safety as more than
twice as important as achieving business goals during trips (34 per cent
versus 16 per cent) as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a
survey by SAP Concur.
The survey of 500 UK business travellers and 100 UK travel
managers conducted by Wakefield Research between May and June 2020 found the
most common emotions felt by employees about their next business trip are
anxiety (43 per cent) and worry (37 per cent). Despite this, many still felt
positive about getting back on the road, with 31 per cent saying they feel
encouraged and 18 per cent saying they feel relieved.
Of the business travellers surveyed, 91 per cent expected
their company to experience negative outcomes due to travel restrictions,
including a reduced number of deals of contracts signed that require in-person
meetings (47 per cent) and declines in new business wins requiring face-to-face
interaction (39 per cent).
When asked about their biggest worries, 65 per cent were
concerned about infecting their family members, followed by getting sick
themselves (56 per cent) and not knowing if other travellers are infected (45
per cent). To deal with these anxieties, 50 per cent of those surveyed want to
see their employer investing in health and safety training.
Technology will play a part in reassuring travellers, with
48 per cent saying the ability to check in for travel via mobile will be
important, followed by mobile safety information (46 per cent) and the ability
to view and manage a trip itinerary on mobile (34 per cent).
According to SAP Concur, the research shows some travel
managers understand the need to reassure travellers, with half planning to
implement mandatory health screenings, 44 per cent planning to host mandatory
travel safety training sessions and 44 per cent implementing enhanced duty of
care solutions and services.
The cost of failing to act on travellers’ concerns is high;
75 per cent of business travellers said they would not hesitate to take some degree
of action if their employer does not implement new measures as they return to travel.
This includes asking to limit or reduce travel in their current position (50
per cent) or looking for a new role inside or outside of the company that does
not require travel (24 per cent).
Commenting on the survey results, SAP Concur’s director of
channel development Darryl McGarvey said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented
impact on business travel and traveller confidence. This research shows that as
business travel recovers, traveller confidence will be more important than ever,
and duty of care considerations will become a greater focus within travel
policies. It is clear that UK business travellers are concerned about their
next business trip and that is understandable.
“Emerging expectations around personal and community health
and safety will mean a new era of decisions, processes and innovations across
the travel industry. These survey findings underscore that the industry must
come together to collectively adapt, stabilise and reimagine the world of
travel. Businesses need to be proactive about supporting and safeguarding
employees as they prepare to travel again for work, whether putting pre-trip
approvals and guidance in place or ensuring visibility into itineraries and
spend information, wherever employees book travel.”