The Business Travel Association (BTA) has come up with a five-step plan to get British business travelling again. It calls for key actions on areas from the timeframe to travel, to international co-operation and clarity, protecting travellers, safe services and competitive pricing.
In letters to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, the CEO of BTA, Clive Wratten, outlined the crucial areas of action and collaboration needed for business travel to re-ignite the UK economy.
Wratten says: “The business travel sector has a critical role to play in our economic recovery, with the 6.5m journeys it arranges in a typical year contributing £220bn to UK GDP. We have a duty to enable British business to travel, trade and stimulate the UK economy, hence why we have developed this plan which we are calling upon the Government to support.”
Timeframe: Economies across the world are waiting for the first signs of an increase in demand for travel. Businesses are watching for borders, and the transport routes that link them, to open. In many countries, there is indefinite advice against “all but essential travel”. No one knows when travel can begin, and this missing date means consumers and businesses cannot be confident about future journeys. We need to move from a restriction of “all but essential” to “essential business travel permitted”.
International co-operation and clarity: International coherence is needed about what behaviours will be expected of future business and leisure travellers. Inconsistencies or contradictory advice will cause chaos. For example, a 14-day quarantine required at both or even one end of a journey is a non-starter for global business executives. The BTA is arguing for a set of globally consistent guidelines on social distancing, the use of masks and other hygiene measures.
Protected travellers: Businesses are fully aware of the importance of face-to-face interactions in striking new deals, establishing partnerships and securing new business. Yet, even when governments and travel providers give the green light, the need to ensure everyone stays safe will remain crucial. This requires insurance to cover employees when they travel and, in case of disruption or infection, that businesses’ actions won’t cause employee concern or dissent. The market needs to have these new policies readily and easily available.
Safe services: Corporate travel managers will have enhanced responsibilities in the post-Covid world – ensuring all necessary precautions have been taken to limit their colleagues’ exposure to Covid-19. This means airlines, airports, train companies, car rental firms, hotels and other accommodation providers will need to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt, the steps they are taking to ensure cleanliness and social distancing. This could be overseen by travel associations such as the BTA across the globe with a recognisable marque provided to those who meet the criteria.
Competitive pricing: Economies are being squeezed; companies are under pressure. Hence, travel budgets for the latter half of this year, and for 2021, will be challenging. Consequently, all elements of the business travel supply chain will need to ensure they remain highly competitive on pricing. Achieving this requires government intervention and financial commitment today to keep struggling businesses afloat – both in the business travel sector and amongst those who buy from it.