Business travel is experiencing a notable resurgence, with a significant uptick in professionals hitting the road for face-to-face meetings, according to the latest findings from the Global Rescue Winter Traveler Sentiment and Safety survey.
The survey reveals a 37% increase in respondents traveling for business compared to figures from nearly a year ago, highlighting a clear shift away from virtual meetings as the primary mode of professional interaction.
The survey indicates that more than two-thirds (68%) of respondents anticipate their business travel to encompass both international and domestic destinations, underlining the widespread resurgence of corporate travel across borders.
“In-person meetings are more effective at establishing and maintaining relationships. It’s no surprise that work-related travel is rising,” remarked Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies, a leading provider of medical, security, evacuation, and travel risk management services.
One of the most striking findings of the survey is the significant increase in the number of business travelers expecting work-related travel to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024. More than a fifth of respondents anticipate surpassing pre-pandemic travel levels, doubling the figure reported in 2023. This shift reflects a growing confidence in the safety and viability of business travel as global conditions improve.
Furthermore, the survey highlights a diminishing reliance on virtual meetings as a substitute for in-person interactions. Over half of business travellers indicated that virtual meetings and video conferences are not replacing face-to-face business travel to a significant extent, signaling a return to traditional modes of professional engagement.
Paul Mullen, Vice President of sales at Global Rescue, emphasized the irreplaceable value of personal interaction in business relationships. “Virtual meetings have their place, but they can’t replace face-to-face meetings,” Mullen stated. “Personal interaction will always be more effective at establishing and maintaining relationships, fostering trust, and driving company growth.”
However, as business travel regains momentum, employers face new challenges in ensuring the safety and well-being of their traveling workforce. Richards highlighted the importance of duty of care policies in protecting employees from potential risks associated with international travel, including violent conflicts, terrorism, and civil unrest.
Despite the growing importance of duty of care, the survey revealed a concerning lack of awareness among business travelers regarding the existence of such policies. The majority (74%) of respondents reported not having or being unaware of duty of care provisions in place, highlighting the need for greater emphasis on employee safety and well-being in corporate travel policies.
As global business travel continues to rise, the imperative for businesses to prioritize duty of care and implement robust risk management strategies becomes increasingly paramount. By ensuring the safety and security of their employees, businesses can mitigate risks and foster a culture of trust and confidence in their workforce.
In conclusion, as business travel resumes its role as a cornerstone of professional engagement, organizations must remain vigilant in addressing the evolving challenges and responsibilities associated with a mobile workforce. Through proactive risk management and a commitment to employee well-being, businesses can navigate the complexities of global travel with confidence and resilience.