Business Travel During Covid

Business travel in the time of COVID-19: All you need to know.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. By doing so, they have acknowledged that the virus is likely to spread to all countries around the globe.

While many industries are feeling the blow, the travel industry has had the greatest setback. Owing to the pandemic, most firms have cancelled long-planned conferences, trade shows, business meetings, and have imposed restrictions on personal and business travel. Employees and other stakeholders are working from home and videoconferencing instead of meeting in person.

Despite the widespread outbreak, business travel has not come to an absolute standstill. Period.

Employees are still undertaking essential business trips, and they are often faced with the dilemma of whether to proceed with their plans or not. Given the widespread panic, second-guessing your trip is normal.

For all the business travellers who are of two minds regarding their business trips, we will walk you through the current situation of the pandemic, how firms all over the world are handling it, how to go about booking and cancelling air tickets and accommodations, and most importantly, how to travel and stay safe.

How the corporate world is managing business travel currently

Many organizations are now prepared to be flexible with travel and expense policies for the safety of their employees. According to a new POLL, approx 62% of organizations say they have modified their travel safety and security policies for their travellers and 55% of respondents report their company has instituted new trip approval procedures. Non-essential business travel is being restricted, and employers have made business travel approvals more stringent as it’s wise to err on the side of caution.

Corporate travel teams are now continually monitoring public information from organizations like WHO and CDC so that they can communicate timely updates to their employees. Most firms are taking a case-by-case approach where travel decisions are made by employees and their managers after consulting the WHO and CDC recommendations for their destinations. If the decision to travel is positive, travel teams are focusing on assessing the safest routes of travel for their employees.

Booking air tickets

If you have decided to embark on a trip, check for travel restrictions from the governments of both your current location and your destination.

With new restrictions being added all the time, it is advisable to check with the airline you plan to use, as well as your travel team or travel agent, to avoid mishaps. Book your ticket quickly. No matter how you decide to reach your destination – booking a fresh ticket, changing an existing one, or booking an award flight, make it quick.

Hotel

In light of major trade shows and conferences being cancelled, hotels are being more flexible with their refunds too. Most hotels are now waiving change fees or offering full refunds in regions affected by government-issued travel restrictions. Major hotel chains like Hilton are now offering to cancel or change reservations up to 24 hours before arrival at no charge. We hope these tips are helpful and that you are now well-stocked with the information you need to make a decision regarding your trip. If you have other travel tips to add, please share them in the comments below. We wish you a safe and productive trip!

Note: If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have tested positive, please seek medical care and remain under isolation. The above tips are only for individuals who have tested negative for COVID-19 and are deemed fit to travel.