Corporate Travel on the Upswing, According to Survey of NBTA Members
76% of travel managers say activity has increased; more than half voice concerns regarding the medical well-being of their international travelers
Stevens Point, WI | Affirming the economy is on the upswing, 76 percent of travel managers said their travel activity increased for the first half of this year compared to the same time period in 2009. At the same time, travel managers have numerous concerns about their travelers overseas, one of these being their medical well-being. This information comes from a recent survey conducted by Travel Guard® North America (www.travelguard.com) of more than 100 corporate travel managers. Travel Guard is one of nation’s leading providers of travel insurance and assistance services and offers a comprehensive medical, security and personal assistance program called Premier Assist that’s designed for international business travelers, expatriates and students traveling overseas.
More than half of those surveyed – 53 percent – said that the medical well-being of their international travelers was of greater concern to them than it was five years ago.
In addition, 37 percent of respondents felt that a global pandemic could impact their travelers in the next year, while 36 percent expressed concern that fallout from a recurrence of volcanic ash over the Atlantic could impact international travelers. The occurrence of an earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster was cited as a potential likelihood by 32 percent of respondents.
As for the international business travelers themselves, 43 percent said their number one concern is being stranded during their travels, while 30 percent said getting sick or injured during their travels was their biggest worry.
“The survey certainly affirms what we’ve been seeing and hearing from our corporate travel partners – business travel is on the rebound both domestically and internationally,” said John Rose, president of Travel Guard’s Business Travel Services, part of Travel Guard North America.
“From volcanic ash clouds to earthquakes, health advisories to the political unrest in many corners of the globe, this year has given us multiple reminders why organizations should have a comprehensive travel risk management program in place that incorporates extensive international security and medical assistance services for overseas travelers and expatriates. It’s really the best approach for organizations to meet the moral, fiduciary and legal Duty of Care responsibilities owed their employees who are either traveling to or stationed in all corners of the world.”
ORGANIZATION
Travel Guard
www.travelguard.com
3300 Business Park Drive
USA
- Steven Point, WI 54482
Phone: +1 800 826 7791
Erin McKeon
Account Supervisor, MMG Mardiks
Phone: +1 212 219 7560
Email: emckeon@mmgmardiks.com