The German government should consider the extra value that business
travel brings to the country’s regions when decision-making, according to the German Business Travel Association (VDR).
As it emerges that lockdown measures in the country will continue until at least 18 April, the association's president Christoph Carnier said, “For one of the largest economies in
the world and a strong export nation, business travel remains a necessary tool
for success. Regional added value in the catering, retail and service
sectors, for example, is not created through video conferencing.
“Political decisions must include the upstream and downstream
value chains of a business trip and should not ignore the hygiene concepts and
safety standards of the providers. It is important that the necessary
business trips can be carried out as safely, but also as effectively, as
possible in the future.”
Carnier said that before the pandemic, German companies spent
more than €55 billion on business trips but that this did not include the added
value business travel brings to regions, such as travel expenses at the
destination, for example on gastronomic or cultural offers.
“Digital interaction is currently widely accepted,” said
Carnier. “Expectations for a permanent relaxation of the measures will
change, however, and more face-to-face conversations will be desired or
demanded again.”