The Business Travel Association (BTA) has called on the government to support the five step plan it has developed to get British business travelling again.
Clive Wratten, CEO of BTA has proposed five areas of action needed for business travel to re-ignite the UK economy, as outlined in letters to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps and the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma.
The first discusses timeframe. Wratten states that economies across the world are waiting for the first signs of an increase in demand for travel and for transport routes to open. As there is no date when travel can begin, consumers and businesses cannot be confident about future journeys. He proposes that the government needs to move from a restriction of ‘all but essential’ to ‘essential business travel permitted’.
There also needs to be international co-operation and clarity. He highlights that inconsistencies or contradictory advice will cause chaos. The BTA is arguing for a set of globally consistent guidelines on social distancing, the use of masks and other hygiene measures.
The BTA calls on protection for travellers. Businesses are aware of the importance of face-to-face interactions in striking new deals, establishing partnerships and securing new business. However, ensuring employees remain safe is crucial. The BTA proposes insurance that can cover employees when they travel and in case of disruption or infection, that businesses’ actions won’t cause employee concern or dissent.
Following this, safe services need to be available. Corporate travel managers will have enhanced responsibilities in the post-Covid world and ensure precautions have been taken to limit their colleagues’ exposure to Covid-19. This means businesses will need to demonstrate the steps they are taking to ensure cleanliness and social distancing. Wratten suggests this could be overseen by travel associations such as the BTA across the globe with a recognisable marque provided to those who meet the criteria.
Finally, the business travel supply chain will need to have competitive pricing due to our pressurised economy. Wratten suggests that achieving this requires government intervention and financial commitment to keep struggling businesses afloat.
Wratten said: “The business travel sector has a critical role to play in our economic recovery, with the 6.5 million journeys it arranges in a typical year contributing £220bn to UK GDP. We have a duty to enable British business to travel, trade and stimulate the UK economy, hence why we have developed this plan which we are calling upon the Government to support.”
He continued: “The outcome of the government’s review of lockdown this week may provide a glimpse of the steps necessary for economic recovery. Yet, the business community is fully aware that recovery will be a gradual process, and one which needs careful planning and for Governments and industries to work closely together.”
