Travel risk predictions 2022: what to expect and how to prepare

According to a report from Centre of Aviation (CAPA) and Collinson, 79 percent of senior aviation and travel experts predict that travel will feel more stressful in 2022 than it did pre-pandemic. The uncertainty and subsequent anxiety associated with international travel emphasises the global concern for the travel industry’s post-pandemic recovery across both business and leisure.

Predictions for business travel

The report, which surveyed more than 400 global respondents, found that attitudes towards business travel were less hopeful than those for leisure. The majority expect a slow recovery of less than 60 percent of 2019 levels. This becomes increasingly less optimistic with the long-haul recovery: 20 percent of respondents do not expect long-haul business travel to exceed a fifth of pre-pandemic levels in 2022.

Traveller safety predictions

Despite low expectations for corporate travel and a slow recovery widely anticipated, 42 percent still believe it is extremely safe to travel ‘if everyone adheres to preventative solutions (e.g. mask wearing, social distancing)’. A further 10 percent feel it is extremely safe regardless of preventative solutions.

There is still, however, overwhelming anxiety surrounding travel – a mere 2 percent predict travel will be less stressful than pre-pandemic, compared to 79 percent who think travel will become more stressful. A large proportion of global travellers shared they would want ‘socially-distanced spaces in which to ‘de-stress’ and ‘relax-away’ from the crowds’.

What can organisations do to protect travelling employees next year?

Nobody can predict exactly how business travel will develop in 2022, but it is important for organisations to take necessary steps to protect their travelling employees. Following the release of ISO 31030 – the new international standard for travel risk management – employers now have clear and thorough guidelines on how they can best protect their employees from any type of risk when travelling, both abroad and domestically.

The Covid-19 pandemic has amplified health and safety risks associated with travel, especially for organisations and their travelling employees, but such concerns should always be considered, regardless of the pandemic. For instance, the International SOS Risk Outlook 2022 report found that 21 percent of its more than 1,000 respondents believe natural disasters such as extreme weather could pose disruptions in 2022.

It is important that organisations understand and carefully consider all risks – they should measure each risk profile and examine the nature and levels of threat across each parameter, such as location, accommodation, time of year. This includes understanding the political landscape of a location, such as civil unrest, and the possibilities of natural disasters.

Sentiments towards business travel are bound to fluctuate and employees will want to be certain they are in safe hands. Organisations can review their travel risk policies and check they are still fit for purpose. The objective is to be prepared for every scenario that could pose a risk to traveling employees, to ensure they can travel with confidence knowing that their safety, security and wellbeing are being considered at all points of their trip.

For support with reviewing travel risk policies, organisations can apply for GSA’s Readiness Assessment and Audit to ensure their risk policies meet the new standard.

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About The Asia Pacific Travel Recovery Report

The Asia Pacific Travel Recovery Report shares insights from more than 400 industry experts around the world regarding the evolving travel landscape as well as travel expectations and how these have changed since April 2021. Discover more: https://www.collinsongroup.com/en/lp/apac-travel-recovery-report-second-edition