We’ve experienced an unmatched impact on global business travel from the Covid-19 pandemic. I’ve worked in business travel for over 13 years and though I’ve seen travel disruption on a global scale (remember the volcano?) I’ve never experienced such a continued hiatus to worldwide travel.
Is it scary? Yes, without a doubt.
Is it sustainable? No. I don’t think so. Why?
Because…for every business that has withdrawn its travel plans vowing never to do so again and switch to video conferencing, there is another company who relies on travelling worldwide for their business. There’s a kind of ignorance around this subject. I’ve been challenged on social media from connections who state they’re pulling up the drawbridge on business travel. As though it was a nice to have thing, that they can now do without. If that was the case, then good for you.
This is not the case for most of my clients. Clients who work in information technology, telecommunications, construction, nuclear, aerospace, data infrastructure, oil, gas and utilities. For clients who must fulfil contractual obligations or warranty specifications regardless of a worldwide pandemic, work life continues.
In the midst of the crisis when there were only a limited number of planes still flying, I was faced with the challenge of getting a Russian and UK oil vessel crew out to Stavanger in Norway. With no conventional way of getting them there to relieve the off-coming crew, we resorted to private jet charters to get the job done.
Business travel was cut back, but business travellers have still been out there, I think of them as unseen and unsung heroes. When most of us were terrified to pop to Tesco without a Hazmat suit, an army of engineers, consultants and service personnel took to the skies to keep us all going!
I’ve been working hard in my business, keeping in contact, providing my services when required. Yes, it has been quieter than usual, but I’m confident that very soon, things will start to change. We’re seeing a return to a ‘new normal’ life, we’re seeing our economy slowly but surely drag itself out of the gutter.
As travel restrictions begin to ease across the globe, we’re ready to support you in getting your business back on the road. Understandably, travel bookers and corporate travellers alike will have concerns about what travel looks like as we continue to protect people’s health, safety and wellbeing.
There’s a huge distance to go yet, but I’m confident we will get there and I’ll be here to make sure that those unsung heroes, have the best possible customer experience they can, because that is what I do. Pandemic or not. It’s my passion and I love it.
Katharine Cleall, Travel Counsellor for Business: 01202 802166.
http://www.tctravelmanagement.co.uk/katharine.cleall