Most corporate executives are preparing for higher post-pandemic travel costs, according to a new study from AirPlus, and the vast majority are taking steps ensure the safety of their travellers as they return to the road.
In an AirPlus poll of 743 corporate executives in the US, UK, Germany, China, Italy and France, 51 per cent of respondents reported that their companies had implemented rules regarding which countries their employees can and cannot enter due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while 35 per cent planned to set out such guidelines. Meanwhile, more than 90 per cent had put into place steps to notify their employees of entry and quarantine restrictions in particular destinations or planned to roll out such capabilities.
Companies also are making policy adjustments such as allowing travellers to choose higher booking classes, with nearly half of survey respondents permitting their employees to book business-class airfares or first-class train tickets. While such bookings are more expensive, most corporate leaders are prepared for higher travel costs overall: 59 per cent of respondents indicated they expect prices for transportation and accommodations to be higher than before the pandemic, compared with just 8 per cent who anticipate a decline.
Despite the policy adjustments and higher costs, business travel remains a priority for corporate leaders, with 80 per cent of survey respondents expressing a belief that in-person contact with customer and suppliers remains crucial for business goals.