The first signs of “optimism and recovery on the horizon” have been revealed in new business travel industry research.
Despite business travel being halted around the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, the study found that one in three companies is planning for a recovery in three months or less.
The Global Business Travel Association poll of 1,600 members also revealed that a quarter plan for a post-recovery in six to eight months.
The research found that European members of the association (74%) are more likely than those in North America (58%) to expect domestic business travel will return in two to three months.
In addition, members based in North America (21%) are more likely to be unsure when domestic business travel will resume compared to members based in Europe (12%).
Eight in ten European members expect international business travel will resume in two to three months (33%) or six to eight months (47%).
Two-thirds of GBTA members in North America expect international travel to resume in two to three months (26%) or six ti eight months (38%).
A majority (88%) expect employees will be willing to travel once restrictions are lifted. Those from North America (90%) are more likely than members from Europe (83%) to expect their employees will be willing to travel after restrictions are lifted.
Chief executive Scott Solombrino said: “The global business travel industry remains at a standstill, but we are finally beginning to see some light at the end of this very long tunnel.
“GBTA members are planning their post-coronavirus recovery plans and most expect to be operational in 2020.
“This is a positive sign. The majority of GBTA member companies expect domestic business travel to resume in the next two-three months and most expect employees will be willing to travel.
“We have waited a long time for there to be optimism around the pandemic in our industry, and it should continue to grow as we get closer to halting the spread of this disease.”
