In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, business travel is slowly returning – but not in the same way it existed before the pandemic. The pandemic has hastened a lot of changes that were initially happening to travel and transport slowly, and business-related travel is sure to change quickly as a result. Here are some key ways travel has changed in the past year, and will continue to change in the future.
Overall Travel Trends
With a global population only recently having emerged from various lockdowns and virus prevention measures – and more vigilant than ever to the potential presence of airborne pathogens as a result – attitudes to travel are very different to the way they were pre-pandemic. Technological advances with regard to video calls and remote conferencing have also made certain international trips less necessary to conduct business. Altogether, these changes will result in a continued downturn in international business travel, as companies elect to do as much business as possible using internet resources.
Vaccination Status
Many transport hubs may begin to require proof of vaccination, as the initial “vaccine honeymoon” wears off and booster jabs become paramount for older members of the population. Vaccination passports will become a ‘new normal’, as a mandate to get the remaining unvaccinated population vaccinated and to protect the population who cannot receive vaccinations.
Flexibility
As business’ relationship with travel change, so too do business processes. Where commutes and business trips may have once been set in stone, more flexible working arrangements are now the norm, between hybrid working and conference calls. As a result, employees can choose their own timetables and transport plans more than ever before. The overall result will be a more decentralised workforce, making independent business choices with regard to meetings, travel and commutes.
Online, Apps and Automation
Apps were already becoming a commonplace part of transport, for the booking of tickets and reviewing of timetables and schedules. In a post-Covid world, where people are more attuned to physical contact and the potential passage of viral pathogens, contact-free journey-making is more important than ever, and an active part of progress as transport hubs redevelop. Apps have been redesigned and tickets are more frequently digital, meaning you will be able to take the Wakefield to Doncaster train without the need to visit a ticket kiosk, or hand over physical tickets to inspectors.
Automation is also a huge part of transport redevelopment, with airport gates implementing scanners and facial recognition technology to speed up border processing. The same is true of domestic transport hubs, as turnstiles are upgraded to require less physical contact to use.
