While travelling for business can be exciting and fun, there are also many challenges. For example, if you frequently travel to different time zones, you know what it feels like to have jet lag. Feeling tired and having trouble sleeping are typical symptoms of a temporary disruption of your body clock.
Even if you are a seasoned traveller working with a corporate travel company, it is highly likely that you will suffer from the unfortunate consequences of air travel. Businesses can sometimes reduce the necessity for some travel by relying on online meeting tools. However, there will still be many times when travelling to a client site or for a business meeting is required to achieve your business goals. So, what can you do to reduce the fatigue often associated with business travel? Make Sure Your Technology Needs Are MetIf you are visiting a client site to deliver a business presentation, let your IT department know what you will need for it to go smoothly. Before booking your hotel, make sure they have in-room Wi-Fi so you can check your emails, practice your presentation, and keep up with any other work you need while away. Some hotels even have a business center with additional equipment such as printers and desktops. Hire a Limo ServiceThere is no doubt that travelling to the airport can be stressful. Feeling stressed before your flight takes off is not a great way to start a business trip. Rather than driving yourself, renting a cab, or taking a bus, why not hire a limo service? To make things even easier, you can arrange to have a limo pick you up when you arrive. This prearrangement will alleviate the stress of flagging down a cab or a rideshare service at your new destination. Get a Good Night’s SleepWhen travelling, your body is already trying to adjust to a new place and possibly a new time zone, so you want to be prepared as possible when it comes to sleep. Some steps you can take to help ensure a better sleep while away from home:
Not getting enough or quality sleep will make it difficult for you to concentrate and can affect your job performance. Mix Business With PleasureWhile you’re in a new city, take some time for yourself to do things you enjoy. Try to block out time in your itinerary to explore interesting places. If your trip is on the shorter side, patronise some local restaurants to get a feel for the city. Use your business trip to embrace some time away from your regular routine - ask your corporate travel company agent to work this into your travel plans. While some aspects of travel may be a hassle, planning ahead can truly make a difference. Treat yourself to new experiences and enjoy this time out of the office. Even if you’re still working, at least you have a different view! . . . . Sourced from https://stories.swns.com/
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What To Know Before Making The Choice When Travelling For Work A leader among business travel agencies discusses all the trends you need to know when it comes to business class or economy class for business travel.
Business travel in South Africa is booming, with travel numbers exceeding those of 2019 and it seems that South African corporates are increasingly insisting on travelling in style as business class bookings far surpass 2019 numbers. This return to the front of the plane might be a boon for airlines, but it also raises several questions. Why has preference shifted to business class? Is it limited to the C-suite? Is it sustainable? What’s the business impact? According to a leading business travel agency, as business travel is becoming more intentional and considered, it’s often only the higher tiers of the company travelling. This goes against early predictions, which expected C-level execs to remain in their offices while lower-level corporates would be flying. Now that younger recruits are also taking back to the skies, the question remains whether the demand for business class tickets will remain as high as it is currently. They expect the demand for business class will slightly diminish as more layers of the company are going back to travel. “However, important to note is that health and wellness have become a huge focus area for many companies. The effects of the pandemic and subsequent return to work revealed the many shortcomings in the system and have led both employees and companies to rethink their approach to well-being. Business travel presents a unique opportunity to offer employees health-centric benefits – premium-class bookings for longer flights, serviced apartments for extended stays, and various upgrades and perks.” According to expert business travel agents, when it comes to sustainability, the onus is split between the airline and the traveller, and both have several ways to tackle the issue. “Airlines are taking a multifaceted approach which includes investing in more fuel-efficient aircraft and focusing on specific elements like optimising flight times and weight reduction. For travellers, it’s partly a balancing act influenced by several factors. And unfortunately, business class is taking its toll on the environment.” The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) compiled a report analysing carbon dioxide emissions from commercial aviation from 2013, 2018 and 2019. The report revealed that passengers seated in business class are responsible for 2.6 to 4.3 times more emissions than if they fly in coach. “Today, TMCs are able to calculate your carbon footprint per leg, per flight. You can track your emissions against sustainability goals – and offset your impact through verified carbon offset projects. This is really important if you have frequent travellers – or travellers turning left on the plane.” The ROI of business travel is not the same for every company, but when executed with consideration and precision, its benefits can be exponential. It is believed that market dynamics drive airfares, and until Covid has been eradicated they will remain unpredictable. But consider the financial implications of a new intentional client – or the loss of one. This is where your TMC or business travel agents come in. “Lean on your travel partner, and don’t be afraid to mix things up. Your TMC will be able to use its own buying power to negotiate and secure special rates on your behalf wherever possible. Take their advice when it comes to booking ahead, booking out of peak times, or exploring new accommodation options.” . . . . Article shared from https://www.tumblr.com/flyingaroundinabusinesssuit/729445161327820800/business-or-economy-class?source=share It’s a drum that must continue to beat, but every company, no matter how small or big their travel spend, should have a straightforward, easy-to-follow work travel policy in place. Perhaps before “you’re on mute” became part of our everyday vocab, travellers were happy to go it alone. But things have changed since the dark days of 2020, and instead of chasing the lowest fares or loyalty points, bookers and travellers are focused on information, communication, flexibility, sustainability and safety.
Looking for corporate travel agencies that understand your travel needs well? There are new questions to ask and answer. For example, what measures has your company put in place to ensure the safety of women travellers? How do you support the health and well-being of your team when they’re out on the road? Do you provide opportunities for more sustainable travel? A well-planned travel policy addresses all these issues, while also balancing the personal preferences of your people. It’ll leave you less exposed to risk, eliminate leakage (aka rogue bookings), and help you get a handle on your travel spending. Sun Tzu said that if you “sweat more in peace, you bleed less in battle”. And while it may sound dramatic, the truth is if you spend a little time and effort getting your travel policy right, you’re setting yourself up for massive gains (and a lot less stress) in the long run. Here are just five reasons to lay the groundwork now: It’s the glue that keeps everything together In today’s global business environment, the old ‘nine-to-five’ model is no more. Instead, organisations are juggling office-based employees, staff who are working from home, and consultants and teams that are spread across continents. Throw in tight budgets, new sustainability goals and ongoing complexities and there is a lot to consider. A travel policy ensures that your team knows exactly how to book; who signs off on travel; the process for managing and submitting expenses; your company’s safety protocols; and what to do in case of an emergency. There is no room for interpretation, and your policy will become the glue that holds your entire travel programme together – making life easier for everyone involved. Get an experienced corporate travel agency to draft your policy to ensure comprehensive. Even ‘baby steps’ make a big difference Drawing up a travel policy shouldn’t be a daunting or onerous process. In fact, a really solid ‘starter policy’ just covers the basics, like:
It’ll save you money Bottom line? Having a travel policy in place is still the number one way a business can save money. And the numbers don’t lie. By mandating and consolidating their travel spending with preferred suppliers, they suddenly had access to volume discounts, exclusive rates and plenty of perks. Crucially though, they were able to eliminate leakage – where money is lost, often invisibly, because there are no guidelines (or accountability) in place in terms of how, where and when employees can book travel. It helps with planning, booking and reporting A good travel policy also supports a good online booking platform, and vice versa. With such platforms, travel bookers have access to a wide range of travel content – all aligned with your company’s travel policy and goals. What does this mean? Not only will booking and managing travel become a whole lot simpler for travellers and bookers alike but suddenly you’ll have access to clean workable data, which is a powerful tool. Full visibility over your travel spend means you’re able to gather insights into your company’s travel behaviour, identify potential savings, manage your budget, and report with confidence. In this risky era, it’s more important than ever Business travel can be unpredictable. Any travel policy needs to cover traveller safety and well-being. For example, how will you keep in touch with your travellers while they are on the road? How will you track everyone’s whereabouts for safety and security purposes? What is the emergency protocol should something happen? Trust your TMC to help you develop a comprehensive risk management strategy that includes everything from how many travellers can fly on the same flight to insurance and medical cover. Honestly, a travel policy should be the cornerstone of your travel programme. It’s a living document that should be reviewed and updated regularly to meet your organisation’s changing needs and sustainability goals. . . . Info sourced from https://bmmagazine.co.uk/in-business/advice/ Business travellers should know it’s important to follow certain health and safety guidelines, within the context of this new world we live in.
Here are several tips to keep you safe within the context of health, as well as how to avoid potentially dangerous situations that could compromise your physical safety. Het u iemand nodig wat jou Afrikaanse besigheid se reis behoeftes verstaan? Maak kontak met ‘n korporatiewe reisagentskap wat nie net jou taal praat nie, maar jou korporatiewe reis behoeftes verstaan. 5 health and safety tips for business travel today1. Prepare ahead of time Your preparation for your trip should begin well in advance of the actual trip date. There are numerous aspects that you’ll want to get squared away to ensure your health and safety are protected. For starters, make sure you have the proper documentation before travelling anywhere—especially abroad. You’ll also need to look into vaccine and/or Covid test requirements for different destinations. All documentation should be properly organized and stored so that you never find yourself in a situation where you’re without the required forms of proof. 2. Choose the right accommodations One of the biggest factors in your health and safety on any trip is where you stay. Accommodations are critically important. Here are some health and safety tips for business travel accommodations:
3. Implement travel hygiene best practices Travel hygiene has always been important. But it’s obviously more important today than it’s ever been. To stay safe and lower your risk of contracting a virus or illness when travelling for business, you should practice travel hygiene best practices like:
There’s no foolproof way to stay healthy, but following these simple tips will significantly reduce your risk. Additionally, we recommend eating a healthful and nutritious diet, staying hydrated, and getting at least seven hours of sleep per night. All of these proactive steps will give your immune system the strength it needs to fight off disease. 4. Protect your tech It’s not just physical threats and viruses that you have to worry about. You also need to be mindful of technology. Protecting your tech while travelling for work is vital to the integrity of your personal data and that of your company. As a general rule of thumb, you should always use a virtual private network (VPN) when travelling and accessing the internet via public Wi-Fi. Because while these public connections might have some basic security features built in, they’re fairly easy for a cybercriminal to manipulate. A VPN masks your IP address and helps you maintain a low profile. 5. Keep others in the know Whenever you take a business trip, make sure multiple people always know your itinerary, especially if you’re travelling alone. It’s also a good idea to have a couple of daily check-ins to keep people abreast of where you are and any changes made to the itinerary. If you want to make things even safer, you can have the hotel that you’re staying at conduct a simple courtesy check-in at a designated time each evening. For example, you can have the front desk call at 10 p.m. each night to make sure you’ve made it back to your room. In the rare chance that something does happen to you, this will alert the appropriate individuals much sooner. Staying safe is good for business, too Health and safety often take a backseat to business goals and profitability. However, it’s time that we come to appreciate both. There are ways to have a successful business trip and remain healthy and safe—it all comes down to developing an intentional plan and following these health and safety tips for business travel in today's new world. . . . . Shared from https://thebusybusinesstravellerblog.blogspot.com/2023/06/business-travel-health-and-safety-tips.html If you’re like most business owners, you’re always looking for ways to save money and get the most bang for your buck. When it comes to travel, many people believe that economy class is the only viable option. However, there are a number of reasons why business class travel is worth it – especially if you’re travelling for work. This corporate travel agency insight article will discuss eleven reasons why business class travel is worth it. You’ll get more rest in business class
When you’re flying in economy, you’re usually seated in a small space with little to no legroom. This can make it difficult to get comfortable and get some rest. However, business class seats are typically larger and more comfortable, so you can actually get some sleep on your flight. Business class also usually offers other amenities like greater legroom, seat recline, and noise-cancelling headphones, which can all contribute to a better sleep experience. So if you want to get some rest on your next flight, consider upgrading to business class. You’ll be glad you did. You’ll have more space to work in If you’re travelling for business, then chances are you’ll need to do some work on the plane. This can be difficult in economy class, where you’re crammed into a small seat with no room to spread out. Business class seats have more space, so you can actually get some work done on your flight. Having more space also means you can bring carry-on luggage without having to worry about where to put it. You’ll have plenty of room to store your laptop, paperwork, and any other items you need to get your work done. In addition, business class seats are often closer to the front of the plane, so you can disembark first and get to your meeting or appointment on time. Whether you’re looking to be more productive or just want a little more comfort on your flight, business class is the way to go. You’ll have access to more amenities When you fly business class, you’ll have access to a number of amenities that you won’t find in economy class. For example, many business class seats have power outlets so you can charge your laptop or phone. You’ll also have access to complimentary food and drink, as well as other amenities like pillows and blankets. In addition, business class passengers often have access to exclusive lounges where they can relax before their flight. So if you’re looking for a more comfortable and enjoyable flying experience, be sure your corporate travel agency consultant books a business-class ticket the next time you travel. You’ll be more comfortable during your flight As anyone who has flown economy class before knows, the seats can be quite uncomfortable. You’re often crammed in next to other passengers, with little room to move around or stretch out. This can make for a very long and unpleasant flight. However, business class seats are much larger and more comfortable, so you’ll be able to actually relax during your flight. Instead of being cramped up in a small seat, you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out and get comfortable. This will make for a much more enjoyable flying experience. You’ll avoid the stress of economy class Flying in economy class can be stressful. You’re crammed into a small seat with no room to move, and you have to worry about the people around you being noisy or disruptive. When you fly business class, you can avoid all of this stress and relax in your comfortable seat. You’ll have plenty of space to stretch out, and you can enjoy premium amenities like complimentary meals and drinks. Best of all, you’ll be able to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and relaxed. So if you’re looking to avoid the stress of flying economy class, make sure to book a business class ticket next time you travel for work. You’ll have more legroom Being tall has its benefits and its drawbacks. On the one hand, you can always reach the top shelf at the grocery store. On the other hand, you’re often crammed into small spaces with no legroom, which can be uncomfortable and even painful. This is especially true when it comes to flying. Economy class seats are notoriously small, and if you end up in the middle seat, you’re in for a long and uncomfortable flight. However, the business class provides plenty of legroom so that you can stretch out and be comfortable. This is just one of the many benefits of business class that make it worth the extra cost. So next time you fly, consider upgrading to business class for a more comfortable journey. You’ll get priority boarding and baggage handling When you fly business class, you’ll get priority boarding and baggage handling. This means that you can board the plane early and avoid the crowds, and your luggage will be the first to come off the plane. You’ll enjoy better food and drinks In business class, you’ll have access to complimentary food and drink. This means that you can actually enjoy your meal on the plane instead of eating the same old airline food. You’ll also be able to choose from a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You’ll have access to airport lounges If you’re a member of an airline’s loyalty program, then you’ll have access to airport lounges. These lounges are a great place to relax before your flight, and they offer complimentary food and drink, as well as other amenities. Business class travel is often cheaper than you think Many people believe that business class travel is out of their price range. However, there are a number of ways to get discounts on business-class tickets. For example, you can use air miles or sign up for a credit card that offers rewards for travel. It can help improve your productivity and focus while travelling for work If you’re travelling for work, then the business class can help you be more productive and focused. This is because you’ll have more space to work, access to power outlets, and complimentary food and drink. Final thoughts on choosing business class As you can see, there are a number of reasons why business class travel is worth it. If you’re looking for a more comfortable and enjoyable flying experience, then the business class is the way to go. So if you want to get some rest on your next flight, consider upgrading to business class. You’ll be glad you did. That's why premium class passengers take benefit from this service. . . . . Article source: https://www.traveldailynews.com/column/featured-articles/ Any woman trying to juggle a successful career with parenthood deserves a medal. Throw in business travel and it’s fair to say working moms are real-life superheroes.
Company travel agencies recognise South African business travel moms are the true heroes and offer some tips to make life on the road just a little easier: 1. Keep fit, healthy and safe Safety has become an important concern for every road warrior but for female travellers in particular. A sad reality is that travel policies often don’t address the specific risks faced by women on the road. Prior to the pandemic, research done by the Global Business Travel Association revealed that although awareness of risk faced by female business travellers has never been higher, only 18% of corporate travel policies specifically address matters related to the safety needs of female business travellers. Oz Desai, GM of a company travel agency in South Africa, explains that this is where a professional Travel Management Company comes in. “They will put together a comprehensive duty of care programme that is mindful of the specific concerns faced by women. We will make sure to suggest safe lodging options, reliable transfers and the best times to travel. After all, we want to make sure any business travel passes the ‘mom and pop’ test so that nobody in your family (including you) needs to be worried about your safety,” he says. 2. Ditch the guilt Mommy guilt is a very real thing, with most working mothers experiencing it at least once (if not all the time) during their careers, especially when they’re spending long days on the road. The good news is that research has shown that working moms have nothing to feel guilty about as they tend to raise very successful daughters and empathetic sons. Former American First Lady Michelle Obama once noted that “mothers are never off the clock, mothers are never on vacation”. But she also said that being a mother made her a better professional because her daughters reminded her of what she’s working for – and, at the same time, being a professional made her a better mother, because she’s providing a role model for girls who have big dreams. Obama’s insights undoubtedly strike a chord with mothers throughout South Africa, especially as we emerge out of the pandemic. On the one hand, lockdown gave us a chance to spend more time with our families and bond with them over activities we otherwise wouldn’t have had time to explore; on the other, the loss of ‘me’ time has made many of us yearn for the space to rediscover our own interests. “Business travel presents exciting opportunities: not only does networking with fresh faces give you a chance to exchange new ideas, but exposure to a different horizon can be stimulating and inspiring,” comments Anneke Bornman, Corporate Traveller. “And, while it’s obviously difficult to say goodbye to your family, it’s important to remember that there are many benefits for children who see their moms engaged in work they enjoy.” 3. Prepare the troops Things will always feel easier and more streamlined when you’re well-prepared. So, book your travel in advance. Not only will this help the company keep tabs on their travel spend; but it will also allow you as a busy mom enough time to organise childcare and prepare the troops at home. One very simple – and yet helpful – action is to talk younger children through their feelings, says Bornman. Tell them that it is perfectly ok to feel sad and perhaps even a little angry that you are leaving. At the same time, remind them that they will be safe with their caregiver for the next few days and that you will be back soon. Making arrangements for lift clubs, school lunches and homework supplies while you’re away on business will keep you busy, so delegate the nitty gritty of your travel arrangements to a professional travel consultant. Creating a ‘timeline’ of your trip may help your children understand how long they have to wait until you’re home. For example, fill a jar with one biscuit for every day you’re away, and tell them to eat one of the biscuits each day you’re gone. This gives them a visual representation of a concept they may otherwise battle to understand. 4. Leverage tech From toddler to grandparent, the past two years have taught everyone the ‘joys’ of video calling. This comes in handy when you’re away from work. When you have a moment, jump on a short video call to say hi and ask about the kids’ day. If you’ve got teens, try reaching out on Instagram – or if you feel very brave: make a TikTok video of your location. Chat with your company travel consultant to make sure Wi-Fi is included in your stay. 5. Take the kids – and hubby – along for the ride Are you still feeling a bit apprehensive about leaving your family behind? There’s a simple solution, says Desai. Just take them along! Bleisure travel has been proven to generate more productive meetings and better performance. With personal time on the horizon, employees are motivated to make the most of their time working when on business trips. Of course, it’s not always possible to take everyone along. But if you can, a few days’ bleisure after your conference or meetings is a great way to leverage being a working mom. Although it can be challenging to juggle business trips and raising children, it is also very rewarding. With the right travel experts at your side, business travel can be a fantastic part of any working mother’s life. . . . . Info reshared from https://www.tumblr.com/flyingaroundinabusinesssuit/714751114131783680/how-to-master-business-travel-as-a-working-mom?source=share Corporate travel consultants are available 24/7 to handle any requests, disputes, or emergencies; considering all aspects and can advise on health and safety practices for all legs of the journey.
Business travel is back, however, the challenges remain; affordability, logistics, efficiency, and reliability to name a few. Therefore, having an expert at the click of a button can save you time and money. Research highlights the fact that people travelling for business find it stressful, causing them to feel anxious. Hence, it is advised to put your trust in travel managing companies, as these corporate travel consultants offer end-to-end travel services. “Travel bookings are deceptively simple. The process is simple enough and anyone with an internet connection can do it.’’ - Corporate travel consultant ‘’But what many people don’t account for is the time it’s taking away from the core business, the unnecessary stress it’s creating, and the exclusive rates and deals only available to TMCs. Often the best deal they can see is still far higher than what a TMC has access to.” Just like you are a specialist in your industry, TMCs are specialists in business travel and can help you save money and time, stress-free. Just how do TMCs help you save money?
Business travel is an essential component of business growth and development, as well as employee attraction and retention. Making the shift from unmanaged travel to working with a TMC can be a seamless process that will deliver almost instant benefit, as experts advise. . . . . Info shared from https://www.iol.co.za/travel/ One of the most significant stressors when travelling somewhere new for work is transportation. So, if you're starting to travel for work for the first time, you may wonder about the best way to get around a new city. Travelling for your job can be thrilling, and it can even give you the chance to see parts of the world you wouldn't otherwise. However, when you first start going on work trips, you may feel overwhelmed about how to stay on top of your job while navigating a new city or country. In many cases, your company will cover the costs of transportation, and they may even set it up for you. But, if that's not in their budget, you may need to figure out how to get around and submit the receipts. If your company doesn’t use a business travel agency that arranges the transport you’ll use during your work trip - here are some transportation options: If you want to live like a local When you visit a new place, the best way to live like the locals is to take public transportation. However, this is sometimes the most complicated way to get somewhere. You'll likely spend more time waiting for the bus or subway system, and things can be crowded and delayed. But, if you want a more localized experience, public transit makes the most sense. You also may not have much extra time or the ability to go sightseeing if you're there for work, but it's always an option if you need it. Rideshare apps are easy but have downsides
Unfortunately, many American cities don't have public transportation at all or have subpar public transit. In these cases, you'll need to use other options. There are many rideshare apps – the most popular being Lyft and Uber. Many people use these on business trips, and it's likely that your company will cover the costs if you keep receipts. However, just like with public transit, there are downsides. You may have to wait long periods of time for a car to be available and rides can be expensive during “peak times.” See if your company offers or covers private services If you're going somewhere stateside, booking your own private car is relatively straightforward. Say you'll be in Florida for work; you can just look up ‘car service Tampa’ and schedule a vehicle for your stay. This is usually the simplest option that will relieve stress, as you'll have a car at your disposal whenever you need it. See about a rental car If you have a driver's license, you could rent a vehicle for your trip. Of course, you'll want to check with your business or business travel agency consultant and see if they will reimburse you for the cost. There are also some factors to keep in mind regarding rental cars. While they used to be reasonably easy to find if sometimes expensive, now that's not the case. There is still a rental car shortage, so you will likely have to plan much further ahead to secure a reservation. Also, you or your company may not want to pay the much higher rates for a rental vehicle, so you'll need to take these logistics into consideration. Research where you're going The last step in securing transportation for a business trip is researching the place you're headed. The more rural or difficult to access the area is, the fewer options you'll have to choose from. But, it's best to be prepared and to work with your job to see if they have anything lined up for you. . . . Info shared by https://businesstravel.postach.io/post/transportation-options-while-on-a-business-trip Travel pillow? Check. Business cards? Check. Up-to-date policies and procedures? Maybe not. After effectively vanishing amid the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, corporate travel has been making a comeback. Survey data reported by Deloitte show organisations expected to ratchet up their corporate travel expenses to 55% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022. The trend is expected to continue, reaching 68% of pre-pandemic spending by the end of 2023. Workers are once again hitting the road. Are your corporate travel policies falling behind? The Disruption Of Corporate Travel
It was in early 2020 when organisations faced the all-hands-on-deck exercise of transforming their businesses to accommodate the realities of COVID-19. This meant a pivot to remote work for some and revamped workplace safety practices for others. What it didn’t mean in the vast majority of cases was business as usual for corporate travel. As recently as June of last year, corporate travel spending was still only 10 percent of pre-pandemic levels, according to Deloitte. It wouldn’t be until August that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would approve the first COVID-19 vaccine for general use in people 16 and older, and millions of people had yet to receive the first dose. Needless to say, it’s easy to imagine that corporate travel policy was a low priority for many policy writers. That’s not to say policy writers weren’t busy – in NAVEX’s 2022 Risk and Compliance Benchmark Report, only three percent of R&C professionals said COVID was “very disruptive” to policy and procedure management. What’s more, 43% said it was “minimally disruptive.” Policy writers have spent years ensuring that their organisations had rules in place to operate amid the disruption of the pandemic. The climate of risk is changing again – only this time, signs point to something more “normal,” at least regarding business travel. Understanding the Employee’s Point of View Imagine an employee that traveled frequently for work before the pandemic. There was no doubt a time when the employee could fill out an expense report with their eyes closed. What about today? “Hope” is not an R&C strategy. Organisations will need to confirm that even seasoned employee travellers are up-to-date in their understanding of all travel policies. When employees travel, it’s important for the organisation’s policies to travel with them. Risk and compliance professionals should put themselves in the shoes of their organisation’s travelling employees to anticipate the sort of practical questions they are likely to ask, such as:
These are just a small sliver of the questions employees are likely to ask as they reengage in corporate travel. And don’t forget that some employees may be travelling for the first time at all since the pandemic began, meaning they may have fundamental questions about things like mask mandates and proof of vaccination. Policy Review and Training There are two tranches of work necessary to ensure organisational policies are ready to support the return of corporate travel: policy review and training. First, risk and compliance professionals must review every conceivable policy related to employee travel. This should be relatively straightforward for well-run compliance programs that possess a standard review interval, often 12 months. Yet given the pandemic’s disruption of normal priorities, standard protocols may benefit from a second look. In addition to policies that directly address legal or regulatory requirements, some of the most important travel policies define expectations of employee conduct. These can be subjective but are especially critical. Travelling employees serve as ambassadors for their organisation, often in a position to influence high-stakes business relationships during off-work hours. Behaviours such as the giving or receiving of gifts and the reasonable consumption of alcohol are among those that organisations should review and define as part of expected travel conduct. Apart from public health requirements, organisations may also consider discretionary corporate travel requirements related to COVID-19. These could include an expectation for mask-wearing during corporate travel or, as some organisations have decided, restrictions on corporate travel for unvaccinated employees. Any corporate policy can broadcast a set of values that influence the organisation’s standing in the marketplace, and policies around employee health and COVID-19 are excellent examples given the politically charged nature of the topic in the United States. This highlights how important it is for the right senior leaders to have a say in the development and updating of any critical policy, and R&C leaders should use the renewal of travel rules as an opportunity to assess whether their review process and “meta policy” – their “policy on policies – could be better optimized. NAVEX’s most recent edition of The Definitive Guide to Policy & Procedure Management includes extensive guidance for how to govern the process and track contributions from multiple stakeholders. Once employee travel policies are reviewed, the next step is training. Firstly, the resumption of corporate travel may be worthy of a well-considered announcement strategy. One reason is external reputation, as resuming travel signals a sort of return to normalcy. Another is the potential disruption for employees that may have grown accustomed to conducting critical business meetings from a video feed in the convenience of a home office. In many organisations, only a subset of employees will need to travel. This presents an opportunity to focus limited training resources on employees who need it most, though all employees should be advised where to look for any given policy. All training should require the employee to attest to their understanding of relevant travel policies, and employees should be reminded of where to look if they have questions. Ideally, risk and compliance professionals will be able to track employee attestation to travel policies, and even better, the activity of employees accessing the policy for review. Corporate travel bestows a large amount of trust on the employee as a representative of the organisation, and if the employee does not meet the standards set out in the policy, attestation and access tracking provide a level of accountability. Are Your Policies Ready to Fly? Professionals at organisations that are resuming corporate travel should ensure their policies and procedures are updated and up to the task. Policies will require updating, and employees will require training. It may have been years since employees last travelled at all, and a corporate travel consultant can lay the foundation to ensure the process occurs smoothly. . . . Info sourced from https://www.jdsupra.com/ Last year we had ‘revenge travel,’ the catchphrase that described the pent-up demand to bust free from the restrictions of the pandemic and exercise a little wanderlust.
Now we have a new buzzword going – ‘bleisure travel.’ And it could help the airlines and hotels, which have been waiting for two years now for business travel to return but might instead get a new hybrid category of business and leisure. As Fortune Magazine and other media outlets reported, bleisure travel is what you think it is – a combination of business and leisure travel. In the face of the pandemic, business travel came to a virtual standstill. Companies stopped sending employees on the road; travel restrictions prohibited international travel – or at least made it difficult – and the emergence of Zoom meetings and other technology took the place of face-to-face meetings. But then some lodging companies started to get creative, offering packages to entice businesspeople who were already working remotely to come and enjoy the beach or the mountains while they were at it. Now, as the estimates for the return of business travel have extended all the way to 2024 – and with some companies prepared to continue to temper their business travel budget with more remote work – airlines and hotels are looking to bleisure to fill the void. According to a report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, just 58 percent of business meetings and events are expected to return this year, and the Association estimates business travel will make up 43.6 percent of room revenue in 2002. It was 52.5 percent in 2019. But many companies are beginning to attend business conferences and meetings on a limited basis, and many are allowing their workers to attend again – and to tack a few days on to the trip to spend a little personal time. In some cases, workers are even able to bring their families. To be clear, workplaces aren’t picking up the tab for employees to party on the company dime. The workers pay their own share. But businesses are sometimes able to cut deals with a hotel for the employee to receive discounts for the extended stay. Check out some bleisure travel tips, if you’re considering taking advantage of this excellent business travel trend. . . . . Article shared from https://corporatetraveltalk.wordpress.com/2022/11/19/bleisure-is-the-hottest-buzzword-in-the-travel-industry-right-now/ As every business grows, a time will come when employees will have to travel locally or internationally to represent the company in some capacity. These trips could vary from conferences, sales meetings, client trips, or company retreats. Proper preparation for business trips allows for safe travelling, helps to accomplish trip goals, and improves the company's reputation.
Corporate travel management involves balancing schedules, preferences, and budgets. A business trip should be planned to ensure safety, comfort, and productivity throughout the trip. Through all this, it is also important to stay within the guidelines of expenses. This article explores the dos and don’ts to be careful about when using an agent to assist with your travel management for corporate trips. Dos to keep in mind during corporate travel management While planning business travel, there are important factors to consider for a smooth experience. Below are some do’s to note: Hire a travel management company Some companies have in-house staff dedicated to travel management while others outsource to travel management companies. Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are travel agencies for corporate travel needs. As technology evolves, there is an emergence of personalized TMC solutions providing so much more than the ability to book trips. TMCs minimise most of the effort that comes with organizing business travel. They book, and manage reports on your business travel and provide support and security for travelling employees. When working with a travel management company, you'll have experienced travel bookers on hand to help you get the best deals. For smaller businesses with limited resources, finding the best and most cost-effective deals is a must. Use travel management software Travel-management software is used to book, manage, track, and report trips. This software also helps to automate corporate travel policies and consolidate travel invoices and vendors. Travel-management software helps individuals and companies to spend less time manually planning trips and logging travel expenses. The software solves the common issues of travel, such as cancelled flights or an overbooked hotel. It also helps companies keep their travel policies traceable and enforceable, keeping employees accountable while on business trips. TMS isn’t just for large enterprises anymore. Small and medium-sized businesses can profit from booking and managing travel with software designed for businesses. This is much better than booking on consumer sites and tracking down invoices. Be prepared for medical issues Although it’s difficult to foresee health issues, make plans to manage them in advance. For example, before embarking on your business travel, know where to go if the need for medical attention arises. That way, if something happens, you’ll know where to head. Take any prescribed drugs you may need (extra doses, in case your return is delayed). If you have allergies, take a list along with you. It is medically advisable to opt for bottled water throughout your stay. Also, watch what you eat to avoid contracting any foreign bugs. Have an emergency plan The nature of business travels leaves room for confusion. This can include overbooked flights, pandemics, outbreaks, missed connections, etc. Every company should have an emergency plan for its travelling employees. While there are limits to how much pre-planning one can do for events you can’t anticipate, there are some steps you can take. They include:
Conduct risk assessment Risk assessment is a proactive risk management procedure that involves data analysis to detect, avoid, or resolve potential risks. It considers travel policies and profiles, as well as data collected by dedicated departments. This information makes it possible to avert dangers and advise travelling employees about potential issues. The security measures not only include steps taken by employees themselves but also provide information about how to contact support or where to ask for help. The fundamentals of risk assessment can be found in traveller profiles and risk assessment strategies. These are documents prepared before a business trip and given to the employees in the form of briefings to inform them of potential risks and how to prevent them. Don’ts to consider during business travel management Travel errors are common in the world of business travel. The points below will allow you to know what to avoid on your upcoming business trips. Don’t exceed the company’s expenses policy One common mistake among business travellers is spending money on a trip that is not within the company’s travel policy. Accumulating expenses outside the company’s policy can be due to not checking with your superior to see what the budget is for that particular trip. Spending money during business trips beyond what the company allows could have unintended consequences. Sometimes, you won’t even be aware of what you did until the accounts department does not approve your expenses. So, always double-check your company’s travel policy before a trip. If you have any questions or need clarification about any aspect of the policy, ask a superior or the company’s travel management team. Don’t forget to create a business trip itinerary A business trip itinerary is a summary of all the trip details in one place. This itinerary will save employees the time and frustration of scrolling through multiple files and emails to find the information they seek. It is a step further from scheduling. So, organize every single travel document and information needed on the journey, including flight times, flight numbers, boarding passes, arrival times, etc. Enable flexibility Managers should make business travels flexible for employees. When travel policies don't allow for flexibility or limit access to expedited security lines, workers won't be able to get to their destinations as quickly as they could. Travellers seek comfort and convenience. The finance department wants to know who's going on vacation and how much they're spending. The travel manager aims to make the procedure as simple as possible. Fortunately, basic travel-management software can assist travellers in locating the finest options and making booking and tracking expenses simple. This enables them to be in control of their trip. Give travellers as much freedom as possible. Allow them to make certain decisions. Let them be in control and make them aware of the company’s policies. This will maximize efficiency. Don’t assume travellers are aware of company policiesTravel managers spend a lot of time thinking about company travel policies. Not only do they know what they are, but may have contributed to their creation. When business travellers book individually, they may not realize they are breaking the company travel policies. Ensure there is clear paperwork that explains the travel policy, including what it is, why it exists to keep them safe, and how it helps to streamline internal operations. Managers should create clear and straightforward travel policies so travellers will stick to them. They should also make travel policies the cornerstone of travel management by offering training and messaging around it. Don’t require endless email threads Some travel management officers often make the mistake of ending up with back-and-forths for every change request or approval process. This is quite inefficient and makes it easy to lose valuable information amidst the confusion. Lots of emails can also cause misunderstandings. Email does not include nonverbal communication. Hence, recipients may misinterpret the sender’s message. This is particularly true of senders who fail to go through their messages before they send them. You can avoid this by using a travel management system. Travel Management Systems make booking flights and reservations, making changes, and handling payments and receipts easier. Hence, reducing the need to send emails. If there’s a need for emails, keep them short, clear, and understandable. Conclusion Business trips are key to building relationships, securing deals, and the growth of an organization. However, these perks can quickly disappear if the trip isn’t well planned. . . . . Originally sourced from https://swaay.com/ Everybody owns a smartphone, and every travel firm worth its salt has an application. Before they complete their salmon and cream cheese morning bagel, the typical employee may take out their smartphone, open a few applications, and plan their corporate trip flights, accommodations, car rentals, and other travel necessities.
Speaking of other travel necessities, there are some documents you will require for a successful business trip. For instance, if you are planning corporate travel to the United States, you will be required to follow protocol by filling out an application for an ESTA visa in America. Of course, travelling off the beaten path is generally against business standards. Still, it's an all-too-common incident that costs organisations a lot of money while also allowing them to lose control. So, what can be achieved to provide employees with the flexibility they want while still providing businesses with the oversight they require to keep costs under control, keep employees secure, and honour and preserve travel collaborations? The Most Important Needs of a Travel Compliance Policy The secret to catering to the requirements of both the company and its workers is a travel compliance policy. If you get it wrong, it can hurt employee enthusiasm and corporate earnings; get it right, and the results are the opposite. So, what considerations should be taken into account while creating a travel compliance policy and outline of what to do when things don’t go as planned during their business travel? Flexibility While it is critical for businesses to guarantee that workers use approved travel partners, providing them with the freedom to make selections depending on personal taste and interests is critical for employee morale and motivation. Clearly outlined limits Workers should have access to paperwork that outlines spending limitations, reporting protocols, approval timelines, and any other travel regulations established by the organization. It should be included in any new hire orientation, and workers should be notified as soon as improvements are implemented. Simple to comprehend Make the firm's travel policy long and hard to grasp if you want to ensure that employees don't understand it. When travelling for business, a few clearly expressed sheets of laws and regulations should suffice. Approval While briefly covered above, it is worth delving deeper into the approval process. Ascertain that all employees know when trip requests must be made and who must approve them. The business will save money if travel is planned ahead of time. Keeping track of expenses and getting reimbursed Current web technologies should allow you to readily document spending, such as taking images of invoices utilising your phone camera. Workers must understand what costs will be paid and what expenses will not be covered, as well as the fact that reimbursement may take time. Nevertheless, you must explicitly state how long it will take. Otherwise, your employees may become enraged and demand to understand where their money is. Verdict: Developing an Appropriate Travel Compliance Policy Is A Fine Line Whenever there is a solid knowledge of what is needed and buy-in from all involved parties in the trip booking procedure, the corporation is more likely to retain high-performing employees and minimize the damage to the company's productivity. For help with these and other business travel FAQs - get in touch with a business travel agent! . . . Posted by https://at.tumblr.com/flyingaroundinabusinesssuit/what-does-an-effective-business-travel-compliance/xur8qfnsr4wv Getting your business trip packing list just right isn’t always easy. There are so many different elements that need to be balanced, such as casual clothing versus business attire, electronics, key documents, etc. Getting all your business essentials together for your next trip, especially international business travel, can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re sharing some essential business travel tips to help you get your work trip packing list just right. The Ultimate Packing List for a Work Trip in 2022 This company travel agency business trip packing list brings together all the travel essentials in one place to help you stay organized, no matter what your destination is. We’ll run through some of the basic items you’ll need to keep and some extra personal items that can make the trip easier. Paperwork Depending on your destination, you might need a fair amount of paperwork. If you work with a professional travel agency that specialises in company travel - your company’s travel manager can help ensure you have everything you need before your company trip. Some of the important ones are listed below, but always double-check with the requirements the destination may have as it varies from place to place:
Read More: business travel tips Electronics and Accessories Traveling often means long wait times, flight delays, and more free time than you might have expected initially. Traveling with electronic devices enables you to travel easily, be productive, and balance your time as needed. Laptop Your laptop is the most crucial part of your business trip, that much is certain. But while you might remember to pack it, make sure you keep peripherals and accessories with you too. That includes chargers that work with electronic sockets in your destination, Bluetooth accessories, and anything else you may need. Laptop sleeve Laptop sleeves are especially beneficial for a heavy laptop, but they can also work for lighter ones. Your travel bags often get jostled around and bumped, which is where laptop sleeves come in. They can protect your devices, and you can also keep peripherals or accessories depending on the type of sleeve and bag you’re using. Noise Canceling Headphones Depending on how you’re getting to the destination, good, high-quality headphones can really help. You can get some sleep on noisy flights and trains if needed with them. Plus, you can use them to take meetings on the go or listen to music and podcasts during long flights. WIFI Having wi-fi access is crucial, so look into ways to get internet access before you leave for your trip. Most major phone carriers offer roaming deals, but those can often be expensive. Don’t just rely on hotel rooms for the internet. You can get internet cards or a wireless card to use on the trip to ensure you have access to data and the internet. Wallet and Money Keeping your wallet is, of course, crucial. But you also should check whether there is a specific business card you need to be using on the trip. Keep some cash on you that you can use in emergencies if required and emergency credit cards. Women’s Outfit Packing List for Work Trip For women, it’s important to pack things that balance work dress code and comfort while traveling:
Men’s Business Attire Travel Packing List Men need to strike the same balance between work clothes and casual attire as women and pack items that work for business meetings, such as:
Toiletries Getting your toiletries to fit with TSA-approved guidelines is always a challenge. Save space by using smaller pouches to store your personal care items and check for travel-sized toiletries where possible so you can pack for a business trip faster and don’t forget essential items.
Other Essential Items for Your Business Travel Packing List You can pack faster if you know what additional items you’ll need for your business trip. These items don’t take up much space and can be taken on a carry-on or in checked baggage.
Packing for Business Trips – Hand Luggage Only Flight If you’re trying to save some time during your travel, take only a personal item and/or a carry-on bag with you. Carry-on luggage doesn’t need to be checked in, so you can get your boarding pass faster and make it through security without much hassle. Plus, you’ll be able to quickly get out of the airport if you’re not waiting for baggage on the carousel. For up to a three-day business trip, hand luggage gives you just the right space since you take only what will fit in the bag. However, don’t forget to check airline requirements for carry-on bag dimensions to ensure you can take it on the flight with you. Packing for an Overnight Work Trip For overnight work trips, you might be able to get away with a small carry-on bag or even a travel backpack. Packing for a Long Work Trip If you’re planning a longer trip. If your hotel room has the space, you can hang up clothes easily and even take items for personal time to support your well-being. Try to think about items you absolutely need and take into consideration baggage allowances that the airline might have. If it’s an extended trip, it might be better to pack more, so you don’t have to buy too much stuff throughout the trip. . . . Sourced from https://smallbiztrends.com/ What’s it like to work remotely for a year while travelling the world with your family? Read on to find out.
Taking your business on the road for a year abroad can offer an invaluable learning experience to those offering corporate travel services - in selling holidays to clients, for example. “Having had a number of wonderful opportunities with the PTAs to travel to exotic places, it was clear that visiting countries and getting a true feel for their culture was priceless in giving great advice and tailoring working holidays to my clients who usually just book corporate travel,” explains Claire Belsey, who is working part-time as she travels the world with her husband and two young children. She has gained first-hand experience of “slow travel” – enjoying countries at a leisurely pace – journeying through destinations including Taiwan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Singapore and Malaysia. Belsey believes the knowledge she has accumulated will make her a better provider of corporate travel services in the long term. “Meeting local people and immersing myself in their cultures has not only helped me grow as a person but has given me the skills to advise my clients in a way I could never have done from online training,” she says. KEEPING IN TOUCH Although Belsey says it has been harder to advertise and market her business while abroad, she believes that by maintaining an online presence, she’ll stay on clients’ radars. “Most of my clients have kept up with our adventures either on my PTA social media accounts or on the personal Facebook travel blog we set up. “I have still been able to speak to many [clients] and tailor some superb holidays.” Belsey has also kept in touch with her clients using email and WhatsApp. She also has help from three nominated PTA “Travel Buddies”, who keep in touch with clients for her during moments when maintaining contact is difficult. Belsey explains: “The time difference can mean that I am out of sync with my clients and there have been occasions where Wi-Fi or data hasn’t been available. “For these times, I have some wonderful colleagues who have been more than happy to resolve any issues I cannot deal with.” INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE Despite a potential temporary slowdown of her business, Belsey says the PTAs have been very supportive of her decision. “They have recognised, as I did, that my business will suffer a dip in the short-term, but that in the long-term I will be a far better travel agent. "I also have the full support of my administration team for ticketing.” With current and upcoming destinations on the trip including Australasia, Thailand, Borneo, Indonesia, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka and a to-be-confirmed destination in Africa, Belsey is confident she will continue learning on behalf of her clients on this trip. “I’ve gained insights into countries I’d maybe never have visited on a personal holiday or fam trip, and places I wouldn’t have considered for most clients until now. It certainly wouldn’t be for everyone, but I am treating it as a year’s education, and I am living life with no regrets.” . . . Article from https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/flyingaroundinabusinesssuit/692454177796947968?source=share Even as business travel makes a much faster recovery than anyone had expected, one of the big questions everyone is grappling with is what role does it play in a distributed work world, which is where the future of work is headed. One thing is for sure: employees and teams inside companies that have not met each other for two years are now travelling in droves to meet each other and that is where a lot of current business travel demand lies. While it is still too early to tell, this new demand for travel may make up for whatever business travel is lost due to the adoption of new technologies for meetings, such as Zoom and others. To address and put this new blended world of work, business travel, and meetings, into context, American Express Global Business Travel has come out with a white paper titled “Why Business Travel Is the Center of The New Company Culture.” It caught my eye because while jargon-laden, it puts a finger on what a lot of companies — including us at Skift as a now-permanently-remote-company — are navigating their way through. The premise: how and where we work is changing and travelling to meet internally and externally is now inherently tied to that evolution, and hence the linchpin of how company culture is created and maintained. Centring travel within organizations is the way forward to “reframe business travel from a transactional mechanism to a transformational tool,” as the paper says. Travel teams must take an active, cross-departmental approach, working in conjunction with human resources, data, finance, DE&I, and towards sustainable business travel. Related: Read more about sustainable business travel on this CTM blog. This chart below illustrates it well, though the rebranding of travel manager into the new made-up designation of “Chief Journey Officer” is a buzzword too many for me. As for creating a culture in a hybrid or remote company, the paper proposes making company-wide mobility a solution for that going ahead. As travel becomes a more meaningful touchpoint for in-person collaboration and connecting people to company culture, its role is expanding to include:
Worth a read to think through the possibilities of travel within companies, even if it won’t play out completely this radically for everyone. . . . Article posted on https://skift.com/ Business travel is expected to continue increasing significantly, although we do not know when it will reach pre-2019 levels.
Employers are still tentative about reaching out to corporate travel agencies and asking employees to go on work trips, the consulting firm noted in its report, released in August. "Many companies still require extra layers of approval for corporate trips, and travel volume has only grown slightly from the end of 2020," the report stated. "International travel remains all but prohibitive, with quarantine on arrival required in many countries regardless of vaccination status." Deloitte projected most companies will stop requiring executive approval for domestic business trips during the first two quarters of 2022. Others are taking a different approach. At Volkswagen AG, internal booking software steers employees toward alternatives to flying and they are asked to justify travelling rather than conducting business online, Bloomberg reported. Ford is requiring employees who go on international business travel to be vaccinated, according to NBC News. The Biden administration plans to rescind the COVID-19 travel bans imposed in 2020 and replace them with vaccination and testing requirements to enter the U.S., beginning in November, SHRM Online reported Sept. 30. Employers may wonder if they can legally require proof of vaccination before allowing employees to travel for work, SHRM Online reported. The answer is yes, although they should refrain from asking questions that would require employees to disclose medical information. Employers also should have a plan in place should travel vendors or business partners require vaccination. SHRM Online collected the following news articles about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on business travel. How the Pandemic Is Reshaping Corporate Travel A successful vaccine rollout and updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance designating travel as safe for vaccinated people have ushered in the return of domestic leisure travel. But corporate travel faces a slower return, thanks to a more complex set of considerations. Conferences and trade shows, which account for a significant volume of business trips, remain mostly virtual. Many offices remain closed, which limits sales and project-based corporate travel from both sides: Companies find it hard to ask employees to take work trips, and many of their clients, vendors and partners have yet to open their doors to employees, let alone visitors. (Deloitte) Required Vaccinations to Replace U.S. COVID-19 Travel Bans The Biden administration's COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients said that fully vaccinated travellers will need to complete pre-departure testing within three days prior to their departure to the U.S., but that they will not be required to quarantine upon their arrival. He said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will determine the definition of "fully vaccinated" and what vaccines qualify for the policy. (SHRM Online) JPMorgan Bans Business Travel for Unvaccinated U.S. Employees--Memo JPMorgan Chase & Co said this week it will restrict business travel for U.S. employees who are unvaccinated or have not disclosed their vaccination status to the bank, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. The bank also mandated such staffers to be tested twice a week and said they would need to contribute a higher cut of their pay towards medical insurance, to account for testing expenses. The Wall Street bank has urged its employees to get their COVID-19 shots, but not mandated vaccines, in line with peers such as Bank of America Corp and Wells Fargo & Co. (Reuters) Corporate Travel Prepares for Post-Vaccine Realities Can companies require employees to be vaccinated, at least as a prerequisite for business travel? The answer to that question "varies greatly depending on where you are" and is best left to each company's legal department to determine, said Andrew Miller, director of America’s partnerships at International SOS. (Business Travel News) How Will Vaccine Passports Impact Business Travel? As COVID-19 vaccines become widely available and businesses look to safely resume travel, employers may be wondering if they can require "vaccine passports"—proof of vaccination—before allowing employees to travel for work. (SHRM Online) The Latest Vaccine Requirements for Travel Many countries require travellers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country for nonessential travel. This new entry requirement comes as infection and hospitalization rates increase worldwide and as the vaccine becomes more accessible. Here are some of the latest vaccine requirements for travel. Note that these travel guidelines can change rapidly as rolling confirmed case counts fluctuate. (Forbes) [SHRM members-only resource: Business Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic Policy] Review Business Travel and Vacation Policies as Pandemic Continues As the COVID-19 crisis continues, employers may want to update their travel policies to comply with evolving federal and state travel restrictions and workplace safety guidelines. If employees do travel during the pandemic, however, employers should consider adding travel-related COVID-19 testing and isolation requirements to their policies, noted Tracey Diamond, an attorney with Troutman Pepper in Princeton, N.J. (SHRM Online) Official Travel for Federal Employees Who Are Fully Vaccinated The CDC provided guidance on travel for people who have received the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine. Pursuant to OMB Memorandum M-21-15, federal employees should adhere strictly to CDC guidance for domestic and international travel before, during and after travel, regardless of whether the travel is personal or for official business. These FAQs address how this CDC guidance applies to federal employee travel for official business. (Safer Federal Workforce) In SA, the corporate travel agency TravelManor is the team of fierce experts to get in touch with about everything business travel in 2022. Article source: https://corporatetraveltalk.wordpress.com/2022/03/05/how-business-travellers-ought-to-travel-these-days/ A new industry report by Sabre Hospitality Solutions suggests traveller confidence is returning and highlights strategic themes for hoteliers to capture returning travellers.
The recovery of travel
At its current pace, the world could reach herd immunity before a universal vaccine passport becomes the standard. Hoteliers will likely have to establish their own safety protocols around vaccination-proof, understanding that enforcement will be a nightmare for hotel staff. Key distribution themes for hoteliers
. . Original article from https://www.webintravel.com/ Organizations will need to rework business travel policies, attentive & responsive minds, and an openness to new ways of working.
The rapid administration and rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines is having a profound impact on the resumption of business travel. Although COVID-19 vaccinations are helping to enable travel, it has further emphasised the complexities organisations and travellers need to consider. organisations will need to rework business travel policies, attentive & responsive minds, and an openness to new ways of working. As employee Health & Wellness becomes a greater focus for organisations, understanding the impact of business travel on a company and its employees has become critical. For organisations to make a call on being #Travelready and finding the right time to return to face-to-face meetings will be a nuanced decision based on multiple factors extending beyond employee vaccinations. Read more on being #TravelReady by reading these corporate travel manager tips. Organisations will need to assess the business traveller’s health exposure, risk exposure and duty of care to help resume safe business travel and ready their employees for a successful return to business travel. For travel managers, the scope of the role has expanded: responsibilities were once limited to providing compliant travel management partner choices, budgeting sufficiently, justifying travel, and assessing destination risk. Today, additional criteria include confirming satisfactory pandemic protocols, implementing duty of care provisions, navigating government regulations, and assessing employee willingness and ability to travel. And on top of all of that, employee wellness, mental resilience, sustainability, and mobility must also be considered in the paradigm. Addressing the safety concerns of those that are ready and willing to get back on the road and navigating the cross border travel complexity and restrictions will be of paramount importance for business managers. Many issues will need to be considered before the return to offices and business travel. With International SOS support and assistance, some organisations are already working towards finding answers to these challenges and being #Travelready. Below is a checklist of key items for organisations to be #Travelready -
To ensure the execution of the above checklist it is extremely important for corporate travel managers to:
Strategic advisors to the organisations are helping them establish a workforce resilience programme that would allow each employee to self-assess whether travel was possible, and under what restrictions. Enabling organisations to demonstrate how they are continuing their business in a COVID secure way, and not exposing their people to unnecessary health risks. From region to region, the situation remains very fluid, but we are slowly seeing those that travel for work beginning to resume business trips to remote sites, clients, and locations both domestic and international. And those that do, or manage those that do, will require trusted resources to impart vital and accurate insights. Several organisations are into the job of keeping their clients and business travellers informed by monitoring the latest travel guidance and requirements and providing on-ground medical and security assistance on a need basis. Finally, organisations need to think about how to adopt the right Health Wallet which can help travellers with access management by presenting status at different locations across the world (eg: offices, hotels, airports, airlines etc.). Mobile apps like the AOKpass provides a privacy-preserving, digitally authenticated, secure and portable copy of an employee’s medical records, approved by a medical professional and only accessible by the individual employee. The AOKpass technology is built upon three core principles - privacy, security, and portability - to enable individuals to present their health status without ever losing control of their medical information. As organisations look for ways to protect employees and a safe and sustainable return to the workplace and business travel, several technologies are able to provide the ability to securely verify the health status of their employees. Article from https://thebusybusinesstravellerblog.blogspot.com/2021/12/how-to-help-business-travellers-get.html Planning your first overseas business trip can be exciting yet daunting and slightly nerve-wracking at the same time. Travelling for business is a different ballgame to travelling for pleasure, and requires a stricter routine to make for an all-around successful trip.
It may look glamorous on the outside, but generally speaking, business travel is exhausting and can become extremely repetitive, but don’t let this put you off! It can also be a great way to see the world at the expense of your boss, just make sure you follow these top tips when planning your trip… Take Hand Luggage Only When packing for trips, we’re all guilty of overpacking and taking items we haven’t worn in about six years ‘just in case’. You need to think minimal, pack essentials and stick to a neutral colour palette that can be easily mixed and matched. Taking a carry-on will save you time by skipping the baggage reclaim area and heading straight to the airport exit. You also won’t need to worry about having your bag damaged or misplaced, just be sure to check what you can pack in your carry-on bag and that the dimensions are in line with your chosen airline. Book Your Rental Car in Advance After a tiring flight, the last thing you want to do when you land is to try to locate a reliable rental car. You also don’t want to risk not being able to access a vehicle, as this will only eat into valuable time. Instead, be sure to book ahead and have your rental car confirmed before you embark on your business trip. This will enable you to select a car you’re comfortable with but also save time and stress when you land. You’ll be on your way to the hotel in no time! If you’re working with a business travel agency - they can take care of booking your car rental. Fight the Jetlag Jetlag can have a hugely negative impact on your basic daily functions and performance, which is far from ideal when on a business trip. It’s important that you try your best to fight the jet lag and stick closely to your usual daily routine. The first rule is to avoid any alcohol on your flight as this will make you feel worse. Instead, try and relax with a film or get lost in a great book. Make sure you set your timepiece to local time as soon as you board the plane to help you comfortably ease into the new time zone. Once you’ve checked in to your hotel room, it might be tempting to collapse into bed but resist the temptation! This will only make you feel more tired later, so instead, head for a run around the local area or try out a nearby restaurant. You’ll be thankful for it when you’re feeling fresh in the morning. Take a Power Bank There’s nothing worse than landing somewhere new and finding your phone is almost out of battery. Ensure your smartphone has enough charge at all times by packing a handy power bank into your hand luggage. They’re lightweight, inexpensive and a complete lifesaver in a tricky spot! These tips can all contribute to a smooth and successful business trip without delays. Try them on your next business trip abroad and return refreshed and with good news about what you got up to while away. To ensure a seamless itinerary and bookings for flights, accommodation etc match your needs and business budget - it’s best to work with a business travel agency like TravelManor. . . . Article from https://ceoworld.biz/ South Africa has been under lockdown since March 2020, with the less strict lockdown level bringing a revival of the travel industry and corporate travel companies, from time to time.
Here are some thoughts and recommendations from frequent corporate travellers: Is it safe to travel? The overwhelming answer to the question of whether travel was safe to travel was yes. Based on their most recent trip, 93% of clients believe it is safe to travel and that the travel industry (air travel, car and/or accommodation) is aligned with Covid-19 health regulations. Around 83% said that they were either confident or extremely confident to continue travelling as per normal now that many travel-related restrictions have been eased. If prospective travellers are feeling hesitant to take a trip for either business or leisure purposes, it is worthwhile asking a travel professional, such as the great team at TravelManor to provide detailed information with regards to the precautions the various airlines, car hire companies, hotels, and guesthouses have in place to help curb the spread of the virus. Knowing exactly what to expect can provide a significant boost in peace of mind during such uncertain times. Tips from the travellers Many business and corporate travellers shared advice for prospective business travellers and leisure travellers from South Africa and abroad. Most urged anyone and everyone venturing away from home to adhere to all of the necessary Covid safety regulations and to take responsibility for their safety. Wear your mask, carry your hand sanitiser everywhere you go and practise strict social distancing. Time management was another important focus with clients suggesting to plan one’s trip well ahead of time to be prepared for anything. Arrive at the airport with time to spare due to the new health protocols implemented at the airport. . . . Article from https://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-tips/ From Pop-Up Corporate Travel Management Policies to Bio-Safety Wellness Coronavirus has accelerated a range of latent travel trends over the past six months, most related to technology. Now you can add traveller well-being to that list. Many international organizations have, quite rightly, reacted to the pandemic with a renewed focus on their employees’ safety and well-being.
But some of these new wellbeing pushes, which tend to be associated with the risks the deadly Covid-19 virus can pose when travelling, may end up finding a permanent home in the company travel policy. Because in the same way, the pandemic has accelerated virtual technology adoption, among other areas, it’s highlighting the importance of looking after the traveller. A lot of work was admittedly already being carried out around wellbeing, and mental health in particular, by companies before Covid, but as travel slowly returns it’s back on the radar as they work on policies that will be fit for purpose in the coronavirus era and beyond. “Covid-19 has changed the health and safety conversation, putting it front and centre for all travellers,” according to booking and expense platform SAP Concur. Its recent 2020 Business Travel Survey found that ensuring personal health and safety while travelling was most important to business travellers, with 65 percent placing it in their top three considerations. For the survey, which polled 4,850 business travellers in 23 global markets, and 800 corporate travel managers in eight global markets, it also found they expressed more positive emotions with the prospect of returning to the road than negatives — but 97 percent expect changes to travel norms, reflecting renewed interest in safety and wellbeing. “With these changes in place, 45 percent of travellers now say the trip itself is the most stressful phase of travel, a 50 percent increase from last year,” SAP Concur added. So what is on travel managers like TravelManor’s’ radars at the moment? BIO-SAFETY WELLNESSPre-Covid, few employees would have come across this term in their travel policy, being unaccustomed to the finer details of HEPA filters, nucleic acid tests and Hilton’s latest partnership with cleaning brand Lysol. Today, of course, it’s all hotels, airlines and airports are talking about, to help reassure guests and passengers. “We’ve done a lot of work over the past year, like a lot of travel buyers have, about wellness, but it’s been focused on physical wellness, jetlag, fatigue, have hotels got access to a gym,” said Alice Linley-Munro, global travel analyst at Oil Spill Response. “We’ve started to move more into mental health wellness, but now with Covid, bio-safety wellness as well — because that in itself impinges on all the other areas of wellness,” she added while speaking at WIN Global Travel Network and Hickory Global Partners’ ITMC Virtual event. “But it can’t just be an add-to the policy. For us, it’s been important to have conversations with our corporate travel management company about how we can really build it in from the get-go so that it just becomes the culture,”. In other words, companies need to plug their booking systems into a lot of new hygiene protocols, no mean feat when they’re constantly being updated. It’s a lot of work and one where travel management companies also have a role to play. TECHNOLOGY FOCUSIt’s more than simply ensuring a traveller isn’t being booked on to a middle seat. “Customers want more control and predictability over the end-to-end business travel experience, allowing them to better manage essential travel and also reassure their employees that their health and wellbeing is valued over and above cost,” said Manuel Brachet, vice-president of commercial, multinational and global at Egencia. “Travelers want access to essential information, like hotel health and hygiene measures, directly in the booking path so they can book with confidence.” As well as agencies, medical and travel security services firms are also stepping up. International SOS, for example, is providing Singapore’s Energy Drilling Management its new ICC AOKpass — an app that stores an individual’s Covid-19 test result. This has helped its employees travel to Thailand, which has strict Covid-19 entry requirements. It’s not an easy task, but by being able to dynamically feed updates to the traveller, during their trip, they’ll be able to remove some of the stresses and anxieties they may feel, having to keep up with multiple protocols. “All that information is in different buckets,” said Cindy Heston, director, travel and events at insurance firm Anthem. “It’s great from a buyer perspective because you really do have detailed information from each supplier, but there are a lot of different brands, and all brands are following different protocols and solutions.” Also speaking at the ITMC Virtual event, she added that Anthem was discussing how to universally bring all that information together, using a dedicated business information system, and overlaying the data with its booking tools. “What are the rules in that market, as far as masks, restaurants, temperature checks? They’re changing every day, every minute, so how do you accurately get this information together?” she continued. “We don’t have the solution. The agencies are helping us pull that data together. This has been a great learning experience. When you look at the duty of care, protecting your travellers, this is one of the most cumbersome things we’re going to deal with. Partner wise, we’ve found some great solutions.” In the future, suppliers and agencies can expect to see companies place a greater emphasis on technology and data that can be flowed in to help inform the traveller at every stage of the journey. OFFERING THE OPTIONSAs well as companies turning to agencies for help with the data, there’s also a drive towards greater flexibility emerging. In the current environment, staff are conscious of the risks and employers of course can’t force travel upon an employee. However, certain companies do have cultures that penalize those who aren’t prepared to travel, particularly in high-pressure sales roles. Covid has now forced companies to be more prepared to learn or hear, more about the individual’s situation and history ahead of a business trip. And now one mental health expert believes Covid, finally, is opening the door to more of those conversations, where the amount of travel can be questioned, particularly in light of virtual meeting adoption. “You have to have a conscious awareness of the fact that not everyone will feel the same way about going on a trip,” said Matthew Holman, owner of Simpila Healthy Solutions and co-founder of the Business Travel Wellbeing Community. “How do you manage those people who don’t want to travel again? We need to be able to educate every traveller around what alternatives there are. What are the levers or the pulleys that would make them more comfortable for the trip? “We need that front-end interface that allows the traveller to say, actually, I don’t want to stay overnight. I’d rather do a day trip return. But maybe that’s not what the policy states. How do you engage that conversation?” At energy company RWE Generation UK, those processes have already begun. “I talked to 12 of our most frequent travellers, who manage teams of technicians, and who do need to go to various sites,” Holly Bemrose, travel manager energy company RWE Generation UK, told Skift. “We asked how they’d imagine travel post-Covid, in a world where a vaccine has been developed. They were saying they’d like to travel a lot less, perhaps 60 percent less. Before they had the expectation themselves that any meeting had to be face-to-face. They’ve now realized it’s unnecessary. So instead of one night away, they’d do two nights to get more done, and they can then travel less frequently.” We also understand that for those companies where travel hasn’t been curtailed, such as the energy sector where electricity plants still have to be maintained, travel managers have created “pop-up policies” to inform and reassure staff they’ve planned every detail of the travel. These are implemented for individual projects, where employees work in certain locations for certain periods of time, with dedicated websites or intranet pages packed with safety guidelines and Q&As surrounding travel to that region. These are yet another example of travel manager innovation — and while they could be perceived as temporary fixes or workarounds for business-critical trips, they’re set to have longer-term implications as corporations rethink travel during Covid and beyond. As SAP Concur concludes in its study: “The data suggests travel will continue to play an irreplaceable role in meeting critical business demands. However, travellers’ health and safety, and a new era of trip preparation and policies, will be front and centre as travel resumes …. Emerging expectations around personal and community health and safety will mean a new era of decisions, processes, and innovations across the travel industry.” Original article from https://skift.com/ Thanks to the growth in online platforms and smart tech, the world is becoming more connected meaning that it’s becoming easier than ever to meet with clients and colleagues across the world without leaving your office. However, a quick video call can often miss the nuances that an in-person meeting can include or the post-meeting chat that comes afterwards where essential information can be picked up. Therefore, there’s still demand for face-to-face meetings. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of business travel and the reasons why business trips could be here to stay. Pro: First class travel
As the company is paying for the journey, you don’t have to worry about covering the cost of your trip. You can pop lunch on expenses and could even have the chance to travel first class. Con: Missing out on family time Overnight stays away from home can be hard if you have a family. You can still speak to your partner or children using Skype or FaceTime, but this time away can be a major negative point if you’re regularly flying away or hopping on trains. Pro: Meet new people Whether you’re flying to a meeting in Amsterdam from Manchester or you’re travelling by train from London Bridge to Plumstead, business trips give you the opportunity to meet new people and make new contacts. Whether you’re getting to learn more about the local culture, or you’re being given the chance to network, corporate travel is a great way to build relationships that could be beneficial. Con: Negative impact on the environment If you’re regularly flying to satellite offices across Europe or jetting off to meet clients abroad, you’re likely to be contributing to the negative environmental impact. Switching to rail travel and opting for virtual meetings can help to resolve this issue, however. Pro: Boost your internal PR If your manager allows you to head off on trips, it can show that you are a valued and trusted member of the business. You might be sent to meet key stakeholders or clients, or perhaps you’re working in the company’s sister office in Munich. Whatever the reason for your trip, you have been given the green light to represent the company and this can be a big deal for your credibility. Con: Long day Travel is tiring. When you’re expected to be functioning and skilfully showcasing what the business has to offer after a long trip, it can be easy to become exhausted. It’s important to make sure you get some sleep, therefore. Use an app or have a bath to help you unwind after a long day and to help you feel refreshed. Are you taking a business trip soon? Remember corporate travel agencies? Yup - they’re still running and, like the corporate travel experts at TravelManor are ready to assist you with arranging a smooth and safe business trip like only the best corporate travel agencies can do. . . . Original article from https://www.swindon24.co.uk/ Who wouldn’t want international travel to be part of their job description? Most people consider business travel a status symbol and a perk of the job – in fact, according to a survey by the accommodation website Booking.com for Business, 30 percent of people who travel on business would take a job at a lower salary if they could travel more. Similar research by the website LateRooms.com indicates that 41 percent of workers want to do more business travel. This suggests that company bosses may be underestimating the value of business travel as an incentive and an element of remuneration. The Booking.com research shows that more and more employees are blurring the line between business and leisure by extending trips to include leave time in overseas destinations. Nearly half (49 percent) of respondents in the Booking.com survey had done so in the previous 12 months and a third of them intended to do so again at the earliest opportunity. In fact, the trend is so well established that it has earned a name: “bleisure”.
So, if you were asked to participate in a conference in the United States or attend a meeting with a prospective client in Japan, we can safely assume you would jump at it. If you were paying, you might be inclined to protect yourself by taking out travel insurance, but when your employer makes the travel arrangements and bears the cost, it’s easy to assume you have the company’s financial backing whatever happens. But do you? And to what extent? What if you were to pick up the latest flu bug on a flight (all too common) and become too ill to stick to your itinerary? Or you were grounded for several days by bad weather? Or your luggage went astray, taking all your technology and your expensive business wardrobe with it? Even low-risk travel moments can wreak havoc with a business trip: a woman I know was injured in an accident while a passenger in a black cab in London – probably the safest form of transport on the planet. Another traveller had a prolonged stay in Italy after tripping over a half-packed suitcase on his way to the bathroom and breaking his leg in two places. The possibilities are endless: flight disruptions happen, health issues have no respect for geography and tight schedules in unfamiliar places increase the likelihood of mishaps. You are the one taking the risks, so don’t take anything for granted – even the level of protection provided by your employer when you represent the company abroad. A world of trouble Happily for those survey respondents who hanker for more travel, globalisation means there is more globe-trotting to go round and it’s more likely to take you to remote places. Inevitably, that means more exposure to unfamiliar and unpredictable environments and a greater likelihood of climate extremes and dietary challenges – in other words, more risk. The global travel risk management company On Call International sums up the state of the world as “VUCA”: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. According to the 2016 Global Advisor study by the UK market research company Ipsos, ill health is the chief disrupter of travel and the risk that prompts most travel insurance sales. Almost three quarters (71 percent) of senior business executives reported experiencing a health problem while travelling and this category of traveller listed his or her main concerns as stomach and/or gastrointestinal problems, flu and/or contagious diseases, and environment-specific problems such as altitude sickness, air pollution and heat exposure. Insect-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue and yellow fever were also significant causes of worry. The British trade magazine Buying Business Travel says data from travel assistance companies, which include corporate travel agencies, shows that health risks are two of the top three risks faced by travellers: petty crime comes first (a much greater risk than violent crime), followed by road accidents and food poisoning. The road accident statistics are particularly surprising: according to World Health Organisation (WHO) figures, there are more road fatalities in China in any given period than there are in the whole of Africa and more deaths per 100 000 vehicles in the tourist hotspots of Nepal and Jordan than in war-torn Iraq. That the world is becoming more dangerous generally is supported by another Ipsos survey, Dangerous World, published in mid-2017, in which 86 percent of respondents in 25 countries agreed that the world had become more dangerous over the previous year. When it comes to acts of terror and natural disasters, the UK-based online business magazine Raconteur says the risk of being caught up in an act of terror or a natural disaster while travelling remains small, but “greater vigilance” is needed after all the terrorist attacks in European cities – including London, Manchester, Paris, Nice, Brussels and Barcelona – between 2014 and 2016. The magazine quotes a 2018 survey by American Express’s Global Business Travel division which found that “roughly one in five travellers from the UK, Germany, France, India and Singapore had to reschedule or postpone business trips in the last year due to concerns over travel safety”. Among UK travellers, 61 percent said they worried about the increasing prevalence of severe weather events and 52 percent were concerned about their security in one or more of the countries they had visited in the preceding year. Another survey by the Global Business Travel Association, a professional body in the US representing corporate travel planners, found that female business travellers face greater personal safety risks, yet only 18 percent of corporate travel policies take such threats into account, despite the fact that many more women are travelling for business than five years ago. Not only do most companies fail to provide an emergency hotline for business travellers generally, according to the survey report, but they don’t consider obvious safety features for female employees, such as chauffeur-driven transport, hotels with 24-hour security and rooms located on upper floors with double locks on the doors. Company responsibility If disaster strikes in a strange country, the last thing you need is unsettling questions about how you will pay for medical treatment, or cover the costs of unplanned accommodation, cancelled flights and/or lost luggage. In countries like the US – where medical costs are so high that insurers’ quotations differentiate between “the world excluding the US” and the “world including the US” – the anxiety associated with seeking treatment can be as traumatic as the injury or illness that makes it necessary. Yet my straw poll of people who travel on business, including to the US, indicated that few receive information from their employers on risk cover, or raise the issue before departure. For employers, the costs of supporting an employee who gets into trouble in a foreign country can be ruinous financially and reputationally, so comprehensive insurance should be a given. Employers do have a “duty of care” when it comes to the health and safety of employees in terms of both common law and legislation (see “Duty of care”, page xx), but this relates primarily to environments and lines of work that are physical or dangerous, so there is no specific guidance on the duty of employers when employees travel for business. However, that doesn’t absolve the employer from the obligation to ensure a safe working environment by, for example, providing safe accommodation and transport and ensuring the employee has the relevant vaccinations, says Steven Adams, a senior associate in Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's employment law department. “Reasonable measures to ensure an employee's safety would be determined by the particular circumstances of the assignment,” he says. “Relevant factors might include the nature of the assignment, the political climate in the country the employee is visiting, crime levels and whether the travel infrastructure generally is safe.” While corporations and large global companies tend to have established protocols for business travel – for their own protection, as much as that of their employees – smaller businesses may take chances, or rely on the automatic basic travel insurance credit cards provide. Credit card insurance varies widely, depending on the card provider and the status of the card, so it is important to see the detail and examine it in the context of the travel itinerary. Limitations of cover Santam’s travel insurance division, Travel Insurance Consultants (TIC), gives this advice on its website: “Credit cards in South Africa generally provide limited travel insurance cover, specifically for medical-related expenses and accidents. However, this is insufficient when you consider the high cost of medical treatment overseas. Travellers should investigate how much cover their credit card provides and whether they need additional cover. Select a comprehensive policy if any travellers:
Ross Pallatt, managing director of TravelNow, which specialises in corporate and group travel into and out of South Africa, says automatic credit card insurance has proved to be more than adequate for the low-risk traveller looking for medical cover for unforeseeable injuries and illnesses. “Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, when serious injuries occur outside of the scope of cover, but these are few and far between. And you must be aware of the scope of cover. If you are going to be involved in a risky team-building excursion that could result in an injury, or you are scheduled to test drive a racing car, you’ll need extra cover,” he says. And he echoes TIC’s warning that pre-existing conditions do not qualify as “low-risk” no matter how fit you feel. They are invariably excluded from basic credit card insurance, so if you have a chronic condition – ranging from heart disease to an allergy to bee stings – you need to check that the credit card insurance that covers your travel includes any medical treatment and related expenses that might arise from that condition. Standard Bank’s card division defines a pre-existing condition as “any medical condition for which an insured person has received treatment or advice, or recommendation for treatment, at any time prior to commencement of a journey.” Cover of between R100 000 and R250 000 is available on its three optional products, providing you are “hospitalised as an in-patient, following medical advice, for more than 48 hours”. To be covered for a pre-existing condition by FNB’s travel insurance, you must have an FNB Gold, Premier, Private Clients or Business card, or have upgraded to the Comprehensive travel insurance option. Cover is available to a maximum of R500 000 for hospital treatment and related needs, such as medical transportation, evacuation, repatriation and a “compassionate emergency visit” by a relative. Such policies are worth examining for risks you hadn’t considered too – such expenses related to identity theft and the cost of leaving your pets in kennels and/or a cattery if you arrive home more than 24 hours later than scheduled. More importantly, they will also compensate you for lost luggage, which Pallatt says is a growing concern, “particularly if luggage transits OR Tambo”. Again, the basic level of automatic insurance through Standard Bank’s card division offers nothing at all for lost luggage, while the Platinum and Titanium cards offer R2 000 and R3 500 respectively for baggage delays, with an excess to pay of R500. For compensation for theft or damage of baggage, you’d need to be covered by one of the optional policies, which provide between R7 500 and R20 000 compensation per bag, depending on the policy, with a limit of between R1 500 and R2 000 for a single lost item. FNB’s entry-level Classic card offers no compensation for luggage losses, while the Comprehensive policy option provides cover of R5 000 for the contents of luggage (with a R1 250 limit for individual items) and R1 500 for lost cash and documents – both with an excess to pay of R350. If your luggage is delayed for more than six hours, you are entitled to R2 000 compensation. SAA’s Voyager Premium credit card offers better cover at a maximum of R15 000 for baggage stolen or damaged and a R3 750 limit on the value of a single item stolen or damaged. Lost baggage is valued at R3 750 or R1 000 for a single item. The excess in all cases is R500. Given the weakness of the rand, none of these payouts can be considered generous – or even remotely adequate – if you have to replace clothing, accessories, toiletries, etc. If your luggage is worth more to you, shop around. Bryte Travel Insurance, provider to Absa’s card division and a leader in the market, has a Business policy that provides R35 000 for lost luggage, R1 000 for lost travel documents and passport and R3 500 for delayed baggage. “Ultimately, it is the passenger’s responsibility to assess the risk and the level of insurance cover and decide whether cover is adequate or not,” says Pallatt. “If your luggage contains company property, enquire about the value and the consequences of your luggage going astray. If you are asked to go to countries like Pakistan, Nigeria or Egypt, all of which were ranked among the most dangerous countries in the world by the World Economic Forum in 2017, you should be briefed about the risks. Ideally, your employer should make sure you have support in that country, from a corporate travel agency, such as TravelManor, or business contact. “If you feel uncomfortable with the level of insurance provided for any reason – including a pre-existing medical condition your employer may not be aware of – the buck starts with you: you need to demand better cover from your employer,” he says. “Or fork out some cash and buy your own policy, so you have peace of mind. I know this will not be a popular view, but travel does require initiative and independence and adults should be responsible for their own wellbeing at all times.” A back-up plan Insurers divide claims into two categories, medical and inconvenience, although “inconvenience” seems a callous understatement for some of the non-medical catastrophes that travellers suffer. I once saw a young German man put his small shoulder bag down on a New York pavement for a moment before boarding a bus to JFK airport … and when he looked down again, it was gone. He got on the bus anyway in a state somewhere between disorientation and panic; what was he going to do at the airport? He spoke very little English and every dollar, proof of identity and travel document he had was in that bag. He had no idea who to call, or how he would make that call without a mobile phone. All travellers should have someone they can contact at any hour of the day or night wherever they are and travel insurers provide 24/7 emergency assistance, as long as you, or someone with you, can make the call – reversing the charges if necessary. All automatic card insurance provides access to the insurance provider’s emergency services free of charge – for example, using Standard Bank’s credit card insurance provided by AIG, the following:
Of course, it’s a good idea not to put all your eggs in one basket to start with: have a credit card in your suitcase if the rest of your money is in your backpack, have dual identity documents in different places, and make sure you have electronic and paper versions of your travel documents to reduce the likelihood of losing everything. Duty of care Steven Adams, a Senior Associate in Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's employment law department, says an employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment for its employees in terms of both common law (custom and judicial precedent, rather than legislation) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 ("OHASA") and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act ("COIDA"). “OHASA and its various regulations establish the minimum safety standards with which an employer must comply. COIDA provides no-fault compensation for disablement or death caused by occupational injuries or disease sustained or contracted by employees in the course of their employment,” says Adams. COIDA applies only where an employer chooses to protect itself against liability for damages by making regular contributions to the compensation fund. Employees then makes damages claims against the fund, instead of the employer, and can receive compensation without having to prove that someone’s negligence caused the accident or illness. Clearly, staff travelling on business are subject to risks over which the employer has no control even with the best available travel plans: schedule disruptions, accidents, illness, unpredictable political events, weather events, terrorist attacks, and so on. “If an employee suffers an accident while working abroad, the employee would still be able to institute a claim against the compensation fund in terms of section 23 of COIDA,” says Adams. “This section provides that if an employee ordinarily employed in the Republic of South Africa has an accident while temporarily employed outside of the republic, such an employee will still be entitled to compensation as if the accident had occurred in South Africa.” Bleisure pursuits It makes sense to combine business and leisure travel, but then employers and employees have a duty to each other, according to American Express’s Global Business Travel division. Businesses have a duty of care towards their globetrotting employees, but if staff have the privilege of adding a component of leisure travel to the business trip, there’s an argument that they have a corresponding duty of loyalty to their employers. According to an article on the Amex Global Business Travel website, employees on “bleisure” travel should “refrain from activities and behaviors that would be contrary to their employers’ best interests”. The article argues that companies should adopt “duty of loyalty” rules that set clear boundaries around activities that could be potentially high-risk, life-threatening or reflect poorly on the company while travellers are on a business trip, whether it has a leisure component or not. In their turn, employers should be transparent about the cover they provide for both the business and leisure segments of the travel, says Amex, so that employees can take out their own insurance where there are shortfalls – for example, if the are planning adventure pursuits. They should also have the employee’s total itinerary on record, so they know where employees are at all times. “Even when travellers do get to enjoy their own personal time during a business trip, it should not be forgotten that they landed in that destination because of work, and their professional hat really should never be set down when travelling on (mostly) the company’s dime,” says Amex. What happens if an employee is injured or robbed during leisure time – for example, while sightseeing at the end of the business trip? There is no blanket rule, but generally speaking, activities qualify as “business” if they are part of the business-travel itinerary, says Steven Adams, employment law specialist at law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. If the employee extends the trip into his or her own time and introduces new risks in the process – by going skiing, for example – he or she might need to take out extra cover. Article sourced from: https://www.iol.co.za/ We predominantly post content that relates to business travel in South Africa, but thought some advice for those who only travel for pleasure would be appreciated.
The coronavirus has disrupted life, from a simple trip to the grocery store to planning the family vacation this summer. The Centers for Disease Control is recommending families stay within S.A. for their travels or even just stay close to home. If your family is still making plans for a vacation, consider these CDC recommendations: * Never travel if you're sick or have been exposed to COVID-19; the same goes for anyone within your group. * Always take a face mask with for public places. * Pack your own food, water, plenty of medicine and hand sanitizer, in case the restaurant, gas station or convenience store can't serve you due to occupancy limits, or there aren't supplies available to you. * Beaches and parks are fun outdoor places to go; keep a safe 2m distance from other people * When going to a pool, take off the mask only when going into the water * If renting a car, RV, or camper, carefully wipe down all surfaces and continue to wash hands and avoid touching your face. Before leaving on the trip: * Check with state regulations for quarantine requirements. Some states are still requiring visitors to isolate for 14 days when visiting the state or coming back from going out of town. * If planning to travel by air, carefully review cancellation policies, consider travel insurance, and make sure to clearly understand the restrictions; when booking the tickets, as the departure date gets closer, check to see how full the flight is getting to determine if you're comfortable being less than six feet from someone. * Sign up for updates for any changes in policies at the location where you intend to travel. Many states are slowly re-opening for business but that may change between the time the trip is booked and the time of departure. * Leave an emergency contact number for a close family member or friend. * Avoid online scams when booking a trip. Be alert for travel scams. Watch out for phone calls or letters claiming that you've "won a trip" or websites offering prices that are too good to be true. It's easy to extend questionable offers like these, but the vast majority of them leave hopeful travelers in limbo – and out money. Learn more about travel scams here. * Be prepared for delays that may occur when you are planning to travel because of the coronavirus. * Wait to post on social media. We all like to share our vacation adventures with friends and family, but wait until you get back from your trip. Giving too much detail about when you will be away, and your home will be empty, could attract thieves. * Check your home insurance. If your home will be unattended while you are away, make sure you know your responsibilities under your home insurance policy. Some policies do not cover damage if nobody checks on your home for a certain amount of time. * Share a copy of your itinerary with a family member or friend. Include the contact information of someone joining you on your trip. * Take a map. People rely heavily on smartphones and GPS. Have a hard copy backup in case of technical difficulties or if you are going through an area with poor cellphone reception. * Check the weather conditions where you will be travelling and pack appropriate supplies and clothing. * Avoid travelling alone. Use the buddy system and stick with your friends. * Use a hotel safe to store extra cash and keep any valuables under lock and key. For corporate travel - speak to an expert at a business travel agency, such as TravelManor to make sure booking your next big business trip is as easy as can be. Article source: https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/business/aroundregion/story/2020/jun/18/tips-travel/525617/ Although business flights are the most common reason for air travel at Level 3, there are several other reasons that will allow people to fly this winter. The government’s message of allowing ‘business-only flights during Level 3’ has been strong and effective. But also, it’s relatively flawed. Although the overwhelming majority of people who are currently travelling by plane are travelling for business, it’s not necessarily the only reason people can fly.
WHO ELSE CAN BOOK A FLIGHT AT LEVEL 3 OF LOCKDOWN? It’s something that FlySafair has been quick to highlight. As South Africa’s airlines prepare to take flight again this month, Head of Sales and Distribution Kirby Gordon is keen to bust a myth or two. He states that the Level 3 regulations – introduced last week – only ban ‘leisure travel’, rather than specifically allow business travel: “The regulations are specific in saying that they only exclude ‘leisure travel’. People can actually go to different provinces for a number of reasons [other than business]. However, those travelling for reasons other than ones provided by the travel permit generally require visits to the police station or court to get an affidavit.” Kirby Gordon NATIONAL DISASTER ACT ONLY BANS ‘LEISURE TRAVEL’ A quick scan of the current regulatory framework backs this up. The laws of Level 3 allow “domestic air travel” to act as a service of public transport – meaning that the same inter-provincial rules for drivers and commuters apply to those who need to make a journey via plane. In the “specific economic exclusion” section of the rules, only the following limitations are put on air travel for the duration of Level 3: “Domestic passenger air travel for leisure purposes [is banned], until directions with health protocols and social distancing measures are issued by the relevant Cabinet member for transport.” National Disaster Act Level 3 Regulations HERE ARE ALL THE REASONS YOU CAN FLY DURING LEVEL 3 OF LOCKDOWN FlySafair published a list of expanded reasons that will allow someone to travel, providing they’ve got the right paperwork. Speaking to the thesouthafrican.com, Gordon confirmed the validity of the directives, saying that people can book a flight if it’s for one of the following excursions:
FLYSAFAIR WARN OF ‘LABORIOUS PAPERWORK’ FOR NON-BUSINESS TRAVELLERS This is by no means the green-light for people to fly from province-to-province as they please: The rules are water-tight, and supported by a nightmarish network of bureaucracy. Many of the expanded acceptable flight reasons are not pursuits anyone would enjoy – or class as leisure – and that’s reinforced by the paperwork. “Think about funeral travel. You need to fill out Form 4 first. You have to be in possession of a death certificate to get the paperwork approved. Some people need to travel at extremely short notice, meaning they’d need to fill out Form 5 – and that must be supplemented by a religious leader and legal approval.” “It’s a real back and forth processes, and certainly the most complex one of the lot. For people in a heightened state of anxiety, they have to deal with the most laborious circumstances in terms of travelling anywhere.” Kirby Gordon Make sure you know the correct rules and regulations before you embark on a corporate trip. Speak to a knowledgable corporate travel management company to ensure you’re 100% ready to do business. Article source: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/what-reasons-allowed-fly-level-3-lockdown-south-africa-flights/ |
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