The Business Travel Association (BTA) has outlined five steps to getting the travel industry up and running again. They are as follows;
A timeframe needs to be given – Most countries are still advising people against all but essential travel and borders are either shut or long quarantine periods are in place. Until businesses can be given a date by global governments of when “all but essential” becomes “essential business travel permitted” they can’t plan for future journeys.
An International approach – Most countries currently have very conflicting advice on what travellers need to be doing with regards to hygiene measures and also quarantine periods.
Protection for those travelling – Face to face meetings are integral to building business relationships so people will travel for business again. However, it will become crucial to cover employees in the case of disruptions or infections.
A recognisable marque for those ensuring necessary precautions are adhered to – Those providing services to the industry including airlines, airports, train companies, car rental companies, hotel and accommodation providers will all have a responsibility to reduce the chance of exposure to COVID -19 by demonstrating steps to uphold cleanliness and social distancing.
A highly competitive pricing model – Most companies are going to have a reduced travel budget for the rest of 2020 and 2021 and the business travel supply chain is going to need to reflect this. Achieving this is going to require some form of government intervention to cast a safety net to those struggling.
The BTA’s five step plan requires a lot of cooperation from multiple governments and industries to come together. The whole business community is aware that changes are going to be gradual, but the steps outlined above seem like a good way to restart the industry as quickly as possible.