The “New Reality” of Business Travel is causing a Sentiment Shift
COVID-19 restrictions upended the travel world in 2020. However, with restrictions slowly being lifted, we are looking at travel picking up some pace again. Recently, Indian government allowed domestic airlines to operate at 60 percent of their capacity. This announcement was followed by permission to domestic airlines to freely implement their own check-in baggage policies. While these developments offer hope for travel to gradually increase, there would certainly be continued regulations and guidelines regarding safety and precautions in lieu of COVID-19 to ensure smooth transition into the new normal of travel.
Amidst this scenario, a survey conducted by SAP Concur reveals the current sentiments and expectations of business travellers. Nearly all (98 percent) Indian business travellers expected a “new normal” with changing norms and practices for personal health, safety, transportation preferences and social distancing. Indian business travelers indicated that they would take personal steps to stay healthy. But they also voiced their expectations from the employers and the government, since safety and duty of care are of the utmost importance, even more so than usual in this new travel environment.
Business travelers plan for new routines
Indian road warriors are prepared to shift their behaviors in this new travel landscape. Expectations during trips include both personal measures, like using a face mask and sanitizers, and external measures, like required physical distancing between travelers. On the personal side, 60 percent plan to wear masks during trips as a normal part of their routine, and 45 percent plan to greet others without touching them.
Additionally, more than half (59%) of Indian business travelers anticipate hand sanitizers becoming standard accessories in shared spaces. They also foresee travel-enforced physical distancing between themselves and other travelers (40%). Temperature screenings, too, are expected to become a normal part of a typical trip.
Businesses have responsibilities for traveler safety and support
In addition to an individuals’ actions, companies will play a major role in supporting the employee experience while traveling. Corporate leaders will need to adapt and be flexible as they aim to meet employees’ needs. Indeed, all of Indian business travelers (100%) consider it critical for companies to implement one or more measures as travel resumes.
More specifically, nearly half of the Indian business travelers think mandatory personal health screenings for travelers are essential And in keeping with travelers’ personal commitments to wearing face masks, more than a third support easier access to personal protective equipment like gloves or masks
During a new and changing environment, almost all Indian business travelers agree they would benefit from company training as they begin to travel for work again. Survey data suggests that a range of training topics would be helpful, appreciated, and improve the employee experience. For example, around 2 out of 3 Indian business travelers indicate that they would like to learn more about protecting their health and safety while traveling while 44 percent would benefit from maintaining healthy habits during trips – both topics are top of mind for many.
Learning more to be able to focus on what matters most
In an evolving travel landscape, which can be stressful for some, mental preparation helps support a successful trip. Organizations can encourage the use of mobile travel apps, such as TripIt from Concur, so that employees on the road are able to easily track and manage their plans. These apps often help free up time that people can spend on other essential travel priorities, like concentrating on their health or their work responsibilities. TripIt also can show travelers personal data, like their carbon emissions for air travel, and environmentally friendly tips – particularly relevant, given that sustainability training is top of mind for some business travelers.
Seasoned Indian business travelers are also interested in learning about travel and expense policies and expectations. During a business trip, travelers shouldn’t have to worry about complicated expense rules or wonder if they are in line with their corporate travel policy. Instead, they should have all of the information easily accessible to them so they can feel knowledgeable, supported, and empowered to make informed spending decisions. The result may be new sources of savings to put organizations in a position to get instant momentum when travel gets back on track. But most importantly, proper training and clear policy guidance from the management allows employees to focus on what really matters – having a productive business trip while staying safe and healthy.
As corporate travel resumes in a new way, employee safety is of the essence. Flexibility and collaboration between company leaders, including human resources professionals, technology and travel-related departments, and security, will continue to be critical. These recommendations can support businesses as they aim to provide a safe, positive employee experience on the road, even in a changing landscape.
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