The COVID-19 pandemic brought travel to a standstill. With travel in and out of the country limited, people were forced to consider new ways of communication. Business meetings got held virtually, and in-person meetings were postponed until it was safe once again.
Fast forward to the present day. Travel restrictions have largely been lifted, and we are learning to live with societies new ‘normal’. Whilst some businesses have started in-person meetings again, many have adapted and are sticking with remote communication. Even some large events like conferences and trade shows are still held remotely, but more and more are returning to live events. So, where does this leave business travel and, what role will it play in the post-covid world?
Redefined goals and expectations
The pandemic has significantly shifted attitudes towards business travel. Lorraine Evans from SilverDoorApartments, who provide serviced accommodation in London and around the world, comments that “the pandemic has given the world an opportunity to reimagine what travel and accommodation could look like.” Companies have had no option but to adapt the way they work and move in a different direction.
Lorraine added – “corporates will be demanding increasingly robust goals and measures that can be demonstrated in their choices for travel, accommodation and indeed every aspect of their business.”
Changing work patterns
Nomadic business travel is on the rise. Lorraine Evans states that “formerly associated with extended vacations, nomadic travel now has a corporate contingent in the form of digital nomads – those who forgo regular office work (or even a permanent home) and choose to work remotely from wherever their travels take them.”
Post-pandemic, business travel is becoming more flexible. Where international travel isn’t operationally essential, businesses are considering a broader range of possibilities.
Accommodating environmental demands
With local business travel becoming more popular, companies can save on their flight costs. Not only this, but localised travel is a much more environmentally friendly option. Companies have started to offer longer business stays to their employees to satisfy their needs whilst accommodating environmental demands. If international business travel is necessary for business, the same rule applies. Companies have begun to recognise the impact constant air travel has on the environment. Therefore, their answer is to prolong business trips so less travel is required per year – a solution better for employees and better for the environment.
