The latest GBTA COVID-19 recovery poll finds business travel is on the rebound

In its latest COVID-19 recovery poll, the Global Business Travel Association is reporting lots of positive indications that the business travel recovery is continuing to gain traction.

GBTA CEO, Suzanne Neufang observed that: “We are entering into the next phase of global business travel – one of thoughtful recovery – and our recent research reflects that shift. The business travel industry is more optimistic about the path to recovery. The signs are there.”

Neufang continued: “With safety and health remaining at the forefront, we are moving into a more endemic way of managing the pandemic, step by step. And we’re defining and creating what will be needed for the ‘next normal’ in global business travel – for the industry, businesses, and travellers.”

The association’s February COVID-19 recovery poll found that:  

• Three in four (78%) supplier and TMC professionals currently feel optimistic about the business travel industry’s path to recovery, up from 54% who reported being optimistic in the January poll. 
• The percentage of respondents who report non-essential domestic business travel is sometimes or usually allowed increased to 73% in February, compared to 66% in January.
• Four in five (82%) poll respondents feel their employees are “willing” or “very willing” to travel for business in the current environment, compared to 64% in the January poll. 
• Among those surveyed, most (68%) anticipate they will want to travel about the same amount (55%) or more (13%) as they did before the pandemic in the future. An additional third (30%) say they want to travel “somewhat or much less” than they did before the pandemic.
• On average, travel buyers say their company’s business travel bookings are at 33% of their pre-pandemic level, while travel suppliers report their business travel bookings are back to 42% compared to pre-pandemic levels. 
• As for Omicron, most professionals polled (79%) think the worst is behind us. However, expectations vary for how quickly business travel will resume. Half (50%) expect business travel to return more slowly over the next three months, whereas one in three (29%) expect it will pick up quickly. 

• When it comes to entry requirements for international visitors, half (46%) feel current restrictions are “just right” and one-third (34%) feel requirements are either “too strict” or “much too strict.” Support for proof of vaccination is strong (76% support or strongly support), but much lower for mandated quarantines (67% opposed or very opposed) and travel bans (62% opposed or very opposed). 
• The easing of travel restrictions around the world is good news for many and of those polled, 79% report government travel restrictions have greatly (23%) or somewhat (56%) disrupted their business operations. Half (51%) say it would take three months or longer for their company’s business operations to return to normal after travel restrictions are lifted. 
• Over half of respondents (56%) expect their company will require most employees to report to the office, at least some days. However, 15% expect their company to prefer employees report to the office, but not require it, and might consider offering incentives if they do (e.g., free lunch or other benefits). And 19% have no preference if employees work from the office or from home. 
• A majority of suppliers agree it is difficult to hire qualified employees in the current environment (68%) and retain qualified employees (58%). Two-thirds (67%) agree that additional pay or incentives are required to hire/retain qualified workers. Additionally, suppliers and travel management companies (TMCs) report their staff size is either “somewhat” or “much smaller” (66%) than before the pandemic.

For more, go to www.gbta.org.