Organising correct entry documents, health and medical issues and terrorism and security threats are the top three concerns for managers when their staff travel on business trips – reveals new research¹ from ABTA – The Travel Association. 

Reassuringly over half of managers (51%) stated that none of their staff on business trips over the last twelve months had encountered any problems. 

However, there are some marked differences between managers’ concerns and the actual problems encountered by staff. In particular, 60% of managers expressed concerns over terrorism or security-related issues, but only 6% stated that their staff had actually encountered problems relating to terrorism or security-related issues.

When asked what problems their staff had actually encountered on business trips in the last twelve months the top three issues highlighted by managers were: natural disasters or severe weather conditions (18%), health or medical issues (15%) and issues around organising correct entry documents (13%). 

Similarly, 24% of managers stated that they were concerned about potential disruption to travel arrangements due to geopolitical volatility such as political demonstrations; although just 7% of managers reported that their staff had encountered problems due to these kinds of issues. 

Travel management companies who are ABTA Members have access to ABTA’s expertise and insight on a range of matters, including crises and incidents. ABTA’s operational bulletins provide timely updates on emerging incidents and events as well as information on changes to requirements, including visas and entry documents. 

Accessibility for staff with a disability was a concern for almost a third of managers (30%) and 11% went on to say that their staff had actually encountered problems in this area over the last twelve months. 

ABTA provides its Members with access to free online training about accessible travel as well as more detailed guidance on helping customers’ travel arrangements meet their accessibility needs, together this helps business travel Members support their customers. There are also free online training modules about the Foreign Office’s travel advice and counterterrorism initiatives. 

Harassment or violence against staff was also concern for almost half (44%) of managers and 7% stated that their staff had actually encountered these kinds of problems on business trips in the last twelve months. Misunderstanding of local culture was a worry for almost 4 in 10 (37%) with 9% stating their staff actually encountered problems. 

Victoria Bacon ABTA Director of Brand and Business Development said: 

“We live in an increasingly unpredictable world, and managers understandably have a wide range of concerns for their staff when travelling on business trips. 

“There is a clear split between particular areas of concern for managers and the actual risk of problems occurring. ABTA has a range of ways that we help TMCs to support their clients with accurate information and advice on how to prepare for and manage any risks when travelling overseas.   Managers are particularly worried around terrorism and security threats, and the support offered by ABTA in areas such as operational updates, sharing of Foreign Office advice and online training and crisis support are particularly relevant.”

For further information, contact:
020 3117 0596 or press@abta.co.uk

Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer on 020 3693 0183.
Web: www.abta.com
Twitter: @ABTAtravel

Notes to editors
¹The research was conducted by Censuswide, with 502 Managers at companies where people travel for business, with a minimum of 250 business decision makers between 01.02.2019 - 04.02.2019. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.  

ABTA has been a trusted travel brand for over 65 years. Our purpose is to help our Members to grow their businesses successfully and sustainably, and to help their customers travel with confidence. 
The ABTA brand stands for support, protection and expertise. This means consumers have confidence in ABTA and a strong trust in ABTA Members. These qualities are core to us as they ensure that holidaymakers remain confident in the holiday products that they buy from our Members. 

We help our Members and their customers navigate through today's changing travel landscape by raising standards in the industry; offering schemes of financial protection; providing an independent complaints resolution service should something go wrong; giving guidance on issues from sustainability to health and safety and by presenting a united voice to government to ensure the industry and the public get a fair deal.

ABTA has around 1,200 Members, with a combined annual UK turnover of £38 billion. For more details about what we do, what being an ABTA Member means and how we help the British public travel with confidence visit www.abta.com.