A Strong Global Business Travel Program Is Good for Business

A recent study published in Harvard Business Review revealed that “a strong travel culture brings valuable business results.” While nearly two-thirds of business leaders agree that a strong travel culture is good for business, only about 30% believe their companies have a strong global business travel program.

What Is a Strong Global Business Travel Program?

A strong global business travel program happens when business leaders see travel as a strategic investment in their organization instead of a drain on company budgets. These leaders buy into the benefits of global business travel and therefore provide appropriate funding, flexibility, and support to their traveling employees, including investments in technology.

Benefits of a Strong Global Business Travel Program

A robust global business travel program can provide a variety of benefits to your organization. Multiple studies have demonstrated a clear relationship between a strong global business travel program and talent acquisition, especially as companies seek to attract Millennials and Gen Zers. But the right global business travel program can also improve employee engagement – both for the well-supported traveling employees and for remote employees who prefer more contact with their home offices. Additional benefits include:

• Improved customer experience, customer service, and customer loyalty
• Better insights and data about customers, which can provide competitive advantage
• Brand visibility leading to new opportunities and new markets
• Better employee retention

Travel-Focused vs. Cost-Focused

An American Express global travel study found that traveler-focused programs (vs. cost-focused programs) resulted in reduced stress for the employees involved, leading to significantly lower rates of traveler attrition. Making travel easier, less stressful, and more flexible for travelers also leads to better compliance with travel policies. Spending more on improving the travel experience for your global business travelers pays off in measurable ways.

Putting Business Travelers in Control

One of the best outcomes of having a strong travel culture and a traveler-focused global business travel program is that employees feel safer, are more engaged with travel objectives, and represent your brand and organization more effectively.

Global Business Travel Support at Your Fingertips

Living Abroad’s Global Business Travel Center (GBTC) is at your business travelers’ fingertips. The service is accessible from nearly any mobile device, including laptops, tablets, and cell phones. With just a few taps, your employees can quickly access information they may need to maximize their global travel success. GBTC includes travel requirements, health and security information, transportation options, and key resources, as well as business and social customs for their destinations. The information can be stored offline as a PDF in case your employees do not have access to the internet while traveling. Living Abroad’s Global Business Travel Center is a comprehensive resource for businesspeople traveling abroad, working overseas short-term, or doing business across distances with international colleagues, clients, vendors, and workforces. Request a demo.