Travel disruption and delays are the prime travel concerns, for business travellers, according to a survey, commissioned by World Travel Protection, a global travel risk management company. The survey found travel disruption and delays stated by 76pc of those surveyed. Then came:
Catching covid and having to isolate (69pc);
Losing their phone or laptop or being hacked (68pc) and using an unsecured Wi-Fi network (68pc);
Geopolitical threats, such as war, terrorist acts or tension between countries (67pc);
Being a target of crime (67pc);
Being harassed or disrespected because of gender or sexuality (62pc);
Losing my passport – 61pc – and being caught in a political protect (61pc);
Being caught in a natural disaster (58pc);
Experiencing high anxiety (58pc); and
Experiencing racism (57pc).
Those under 34 are more concerned about the risks of business travel than older age groups, the survey suggests. Most, 79pc are concerned about catching COVID and having to isolate; 77pc concerned about geo-political threats such as war, terrorist acts of tension between countries; and 72pc concerned about being cause in a natural disaster.
Kate Fitzpatrick, Regional Security Director, EMEA, at World Travel Protection, said: “The spectre of covid is still unfortunately hanging over business travel. As we get back to normal, we’re still having to navigate considerable travel disruption and uncertainty, however a high proportion of business travellers are actually more fearful of potential disruption to their travel than catching Covid and having to isolate.
“It’s surprising to see that under 34s seem more concerned than older age groups about the risks of business travel. I wonder if this is another effect of covid? For older business travellers used to travel it’s back to business as normal. However, younger people are likely to have travelled less with work in the past, and are now perhaps in more senior roles which require business travel. We often remind clients that some of their younger staff may be quite established in the organisation, having been with the company for a few years now, but may have never travelled with them – or even their previous employer – before.”
“To mitigate risk and alleviate concerns, organisations should ensure that travelling employees are provided with the most up-to-date information on destinations and travel routes, and consider using a travel assistance company with a live travel app which provides assistance updates in real time.”
About the survey
An online survey by Opinium was of 501 business travellers who travel internationally for business at least once a year, asked between January 23 and February 2.
