What Will Happen to Business Travel?

By Alice Nichols

Business travel is an integral part of many companies, providing opportunities for employees to connect with clients, attend conferences and workshops, and generally further their own professional goals. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional way of doing business has been thrown into disarray.

The pandemic has necessitated a rapid shift to remote work, with many businesses now turning to digital solutions such as video conferencing and virtual meetings. These technologies are extremely useful in maintaining communication between businesses and their customers, but they also have their limitations. For instance, they do not provide the same level of face-to-face interaction that comes with traditional business travel.

Nevertheless, it is likely that business travel will continue in some form or another. As more companies begin to adopt remote working practices and digital solutions become more sophisticated, there is an increasing need for people to be able to meet face-to-face when needed. This could lead to a rise in short-term trips for business meetings or conferences that require a physical presence.

It is also likely that companies will be more cautious about sending employees on long-distance trips or international travel. With health and safety protocols still in place due to the pandemic, there may be additional restrictions placed on business travel which could make it difficult for employees to go abroad or even within the country.

Finally, there is the potential for new technology such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to revolutionize how people do business in the future. AR and VR have already been used by some companies as an alternative way of connecting with customers without having to physically travel. As these technologies become more powerful and accessible, they could provide a viable option for businesses who want to stay connected without having to incur costly expenses associated with travel.

Conclusion:

What will happen to business travel? It is likely that businesses will use traditional methods such as short term trips combined with newer technologies like AR/VR depending on the need.

Companies may also be more cautious about sending employees on long distance trips or international ones due to health protocols still being observed due to COVID-19. Ultimately it will depend on individual businesses’ needs when deciding which method of communication works best for them.