As corporate travel slowly re-emerges from Covid-19-induced shutdown, international border restrictions and organisational approvals are the most important factors companies are evaluating when deciding whether to resume travel, a new survey has found.
Conducted by FCM Travel Solutions and Corporate Traveller 每 which has launched a new Traveller Hub 每 the June poll canvassed 1,600 business travel managers, bookers and travellers from multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) located across the globe.
Respondents were asked to rank the key triggers enabling their companies to put travellers back out onto the roads and skies. Easing or lifting border restrictions topped the list, with 93 per cent of respondents saying that step would have significant or some impact.
The second most commonly cited factor was an organisation deeming it safe to travel, with 89 per cent of respondents identifying that trigger as having significant or some impact. ?
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Asked to speculate on changes to travel policies and priorities stemming from Covid-19, 59 per cent of participants said that traveller and supplier health and hygiene factors would be a top focus moving forward.
Meanwhile, 44 per cent of respondents expected duty of care obligations to increase, while 21 per cent planning to prioritise consolidation of bookings through a TMC as opposed to online booking, the study found.
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In a bid to support clients' post-pandemic priorities, FCM and Corporate Traveller are rolling out Traveller Hub, a central information source for Covid-19-related travel information.
Integrated into FCM Hub and Corporate Traveller*s Your.CT technology platform, as well as the companies' SAM mobile app, Traveller Hub enables users to access information on border changes and restrictions, airline routes and safety procedures, hotel re-openings and hygiene measures, along with relevant rail and car hire information.
Traveller Hub also features a live interactive map, powered by travel safety specialist Sitata, displaying Covid-19 hotspots, infection and recovery rates and local social distancing rules.