Business travel 'more important than ever' to driving success

Business travel is expected to be more important than ever once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, according to a survey by global business aviation company VistaJet International Ltd, in association with WSJ Intelligence.

 

In the survey of more than 200 high-level company executives in the US, EMEA and APAC, 81 per cent said business travel will be more important than ever. Among respondents who take eight or more private flights a year, 60 per cent plan to significantly increase in-person meetings.

 

During the pandemic, travel has been limited for 90 per cent of companies surveyed, and almost all (97 per cent) said their businesses experienced negative impact directly related to those restrictions, according to The Future of Business Travel report.

 

Nearly one-quarter (24 per cent) indicated massive or substantial disruptions across all eight areas measured, and 87 per cent cited massive or substantial disruption in at least one area. More than a third (37 per cent) said international business development and product launches took a hit due to a lack of in-person presence.

 

VistaJet has seen a surge of 49 per cent in corporate interest around the world since the start of the pandemic, confirming that flying private continues to be a key support for business travel.

 

The return to business travel largely hangs on regulations — 46 per cent of respondents are waiting for destinations to reopen; 42 per cent want updated Covid-19 data and rules for destinations; 36 per cent seek support in case Covid-19 regulations change during a trip; and the same number await relaxation of their own company’s travel policies.

 

Ian Moore, Chief Commercial Officer, VistaJet said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has upended the world, including travel. It also showed that some business travel is truly essential and having to forgo in-person trips came at a real cost to companies. Additionally, it is hard to read a room when everyone is in individual windows on screen — misunderstandings can occur, especially across cultures, and these in turn can become costly mistakes.”

 

To further support businesses around the world connect and restart the economy in the midst of heightened market insecurity, VistaJet recently launched a new Corporate Membership, offering speed and maximum flexibility with payment in arrears, unlimited flying hours, guaranteed availability of additional aircraft, and streamlined travel logistics. - TradeArabia News Service