German travel managers association VDR has published a
checklist template for companies to give employees preparing to resume travel
in a landscape transformed by coronavirus. Described as a customisable
"set of building blocks", the template steers travellers through key
issues to consider across the entire trip cycle. Examples include
pre-reservation research – starting with whether the journey is absolutely
necessary – approval processes, required documents, making the right transport
choices and hygiene precautions.
The document is one of the first outputs of a "Restart
Business Travel" task force launched by the association. VDR has appointed
former AirPlus International CEO Patrick Diemer, who left the company at the
end of 2019, to lead the task force.
The task force has also published guidance for travel
managers rebooting their programmes for travel in compliance with German
duty-of-care laws. "This is more important than ever during the
coronavirus crisis because we can expect a greater risk to our safety and many
conditions have changed – especially for travellers," the introduction to
the guidelines stated.
Other initiatives include a manifesto outlining how VDR
would like national governments and travel suppliers to support business travel
resumption, and the launch of a resource portal for members.
"The corona pandemic has hit the business travel
industry hard, and we expect major market changes," said VDR president
Christoph Carnier. "A powerful business travel industry is indispensable
for boosting the economy. As the business travel association in Germany, we see
it as part of our mandate to accompany companies on their way back to a new
normal in business mobility.
"Patrick Diemer is an excellently networked specialist
with many years of industry experience, whose expertise is particularly helpful
right now," Carnier added.