Survey Findings

COVID-19 changes, expectations and projections of future business travel
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A little while ago we asked our clients to tell us how the COVID-19 pandemic had affected their business travel. Working closely with the Department for Transport and The Business Travel Association (The BTA) we wanted to find out what changes our clients were experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We believed that by understanding what has impacted our clients outbound business travel and travel habits, that this information could help the Department for Transport forecast future demand for business travel. The questions we asked covered company’s views, experiences and activities over the past few months.

The Department for Transport has now analysed those results and released its initial findings. We have compiled some of the key findings below and you can download the full report here.

How Did Business Respond to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

In 2019, how often did your company use air transport as a form of business travel? (%).
  • Daily 32% 32%
  • Weekly 31% 31%
  • Fortnightly 37% 37%
  • Monthly, or less often 27% 27%

In 2019, what routes did your business travel by air for? (%).

  • Europe / North Africa 93% 93%
  • North America 74% 74%
  • Asia 70% 70%
  • Rest of World 67% 67%
  • Domestic 55% 55%
In 2019, how often did your business use a form of transport other than air travel for business? (%)
  • Rail 94% 94%
  • Private 66% 66%
  • Car 64% 64%
  • Ferry 17% 17%
  • Bus / Coach 8% 8%
  • Other 4% 4%

How Confident do Businesses Feel About Returning to Air Travel?

Routes flown in 2019 vs expected recommencement of these routes:

In 2019, what routes did your business travel by air for? When does your business expect to re-commence a business trip by air to each of the following regions?

Europe / North Africa

  • 93% 93%
  • 23% 23%
  • 33% 33%
  • 21% 21%
  • 23% 23%

North America

  • 74% 74%
  • 5% 5%
  • 28% 28%
  • 29% 29%
  • 37% 37%

Asia

  • 70% 70%
  • 7% 7%
  • 23% 23%
  • 33% 33%
  • 37% 37%

Rest of World

  • 67% 67%
  • 10% 10%
  • 26% 26%
  • 31% 31%
  • 33% 33%

Domestic

  • 55% 55%
  • 25% 25%
  • 35% 35%
  • 13% 13%
  • 27% 27%
W
Flew this route in 2019
W
Have already recommenced / expected to do so within a month
W
Plan to recommence in 1-6 months
W
Plan to recommence in 6+ months
W
Don’t know

Could the Future of Business Travel Look Different?

Would your company be considering, if at all, any of the following transport options in place of air travel for business travel going forward?

Rail

  • 45% 45%
  • 53% 53%
  • 45% 45%
  • 45% 45%
  • 46% 46%
  • 46% 46%

Taxi

  • 18% 18%
  • 19% 19%
  • 18% 18%
  • 19% 19%
  • 17% 17%
  • 19% 19%

Car

  • 29% 29%
  • 38% 38%
  • 29% 29%
  • 30% 30%
  • 30% 30%
  • 29% 29%

Ferry

  • 9% 9%
  • 10% 10%
  • 9% 9%
  • 8% 8%
  • 11% 11%
  • 8% 8%

Bus / Coach

  • 3% 3%
  • 3% 3%
  • 2% 2%
  • 3% 3%
  • 3% 3%
  • 3% 3%

Don’t know

  • 18% 18%
  • 13% 13%
  • 18% 18%
  • 17% 17%
  • 17% 17%
  • 14% 14%

Would Not Consider

  • 33% 33%
  • 31% 31%
  • 32% 32%
  • 33% 33%
  • 34% 34%
  • 36% 36%
W

Total

W

Asia

W

Domestic

W

Rest of World

W

Europe / North Africa

W

North America

From these results, it’s clear that many businesses are either in the advanced stages or have already returned to travel, but ensuring their travellers wellbeing is their highest priority. Understandably, many businesses are also showing concerns as to whether their travellers will want to travel.

Here at Gray Dawes we understand that navigating the changes on your own can be difficult. That’s why our Account Management team have been helping our clients to identify and then eliminate (or at least mitigate) risk wherever possible. By making changes to your travel policy to reflect the current situation, for example, and understanding the wants and needs of your travellers, you can help alleviate traveller concerns and begin to build confidence in a solid business travel solution.

With travel risk and safety concerns impacting both companies and travellers, it’s more important than ever to have a TMC who cares. So, why not get in touch? We’ll help guide you through the changes affecting business travel and develop a travel programme that’s fit for purpose in the new normal.

 

DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT HERE
visit the TRAVELLER TOOLKIT

To help you navigate the changes of business travel, we’ve created the brand-new Traveller Toolkit. This invaluable online resource is packed full of easy-to-use guides and checklists for every stage of every journey. We detail exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your trip.

You’ll also find innovative and interactive virtual trips, which walk you through each step of  being at the airport, on the train and in the hotel. You can even check the travel restrictions and health status of your destination with our comprehensive COVID-19 Country Tracker, updated five times daily to ensure you have the very latest information to help keep you and your travellers safe.

Travel is changing. But, as Joerg experienced, with common sense and a good TMC behind you, travellers should have the confidence to once again take to the skies. It’ll soon be business as (un)usual.

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