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APAC corporate travellers are concerned about the continuing health and safety threats from COVID-19, even as they retain a high interest in travelling and seek steps to ensure safer travel.
FREMONT, CA :Despite their continued interest in travelling and desire for initiatives to ensure greener travel, APAC corporate travellers are concerned about the lingering health and safety hazards from COVID-19. In Singapore, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, 1,050 business travellers participated in the survey.
Business travel is gradually picking up again, although APAC is particularly affected by the effects of the exceptional health crisis. Business travellers from the APAC region continue to prioritise health and safety (63 per cent, compared to 52 per cent globally), with uncertainty over shifting travel policies coming in second place (at 25 per cent) in terms of importance.
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The trip itself, as opposed to the pre- or post-trip phases, is now the most stressful part of travelling, according to nearly 2 in 5 APAC business travellers (38 per cent), including ensuring their safety and health. This represents a four per cent increase from 34 per cent in 2021.
Business travellers from the APAC region continue to want adaptable accommodations to ensure their health and safety while travelling, which hasn't altered much since 2021. By choosing their preferred mode of transportation (49 per cent, up from 43 per cent in 2021) and lodging (49 per cent, unchanged from 2021), they can protect their health and safety.
For the well-being of APAC business travellers, having more control over the itinerary is crucial. Compared to 38 per cent generally, more than two out of every five people (43 per cent) want their employer to let them choose how long their vacation will be. To preserve their health and safety, 41 per cent believe it is crucial to be able to book travel directly through supplier websites (compared to 37 per cent globally), and 39 per cent believe they will be able to cancel their travel plans without facing the consequences. Corporate travel is crucial and expanding, carrying with it sufficient opportunity to drive business outcomes and partnerships. Intriguingly, workers in APAC appear to care more about health and safety than those in other areas worldwide. Organisations in this area that haven't yet implemented travel rules and technology to protect employee health and safety or to allow for flexible travel should do so immediately.
Other significant outcomes from the research include:
Many travellers in the APAC region are still concerned about COVID-19, yet the vast majority still have a strong desire to travel. Despite any possible worries, 98 per cent of APAC business travellers are ready to hit the road again, which is comparable to the 99 per cent of the previous year. However, the proportion of people in APAC who are extremely keen to travel has decreased by 15 per cent, from 63 per cent last year to 48 per cent this year. Business travellers from the APAC region also desire services that will make scheduling less difficult and travel more comfortable. Nearly half (48 per cent) said they'd like the chance to select higher-category lodging and transportation alternatives (compared to 40 per cent globally), and 37 per cent want the option to arrange their travel directly on supplier websites (compared to 31 per cent globally).
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