September 21, 2018 TnH Global 1

Three in four Indian business travellers have safety concerns regarding domestic travel

Concerns regarding safety and security during domestic trips only 2% below international travel level
Employers urged to ensure address duty of care systems for domestic business travel

Three quarters (75%) of Indian business travellers have domestic security concerns while travelling for work, according to a survey commissioned by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT).

Despite duty of care processes and technology for business travellers being a greater focus for employers, current thinking and discussions have often focussed on concerns regarding international business travel. Interestingly, traveller concerns over international travel by Indian business travellers was 77%, only 2% greater than concerns over travel within India. Ashish Kishore, GBT’s Managing Director, India, says companies must ensure duty of care appropriately covers all types of travel.

“The safety of an employee who is required to undertake travel for work should be a priority for Indian employers,” says Kishore. “Domestic safety concerns are as valid as international travel safety concerns, and interestingly, our data reveals that there’s little separation between men and women in relation to domestic travel concerns in India.

“Travelling to unfamiliar cities, particularly if there’s a requirement to travel alone, is enough to generate some level unease in even the most relaxed employees. Companies need to ensure that business objectives don’t cause an organisation to lose sight of other important factors such as providing staff with appropriate support at all times.

“Peer-to-peer accommodation options such as Airbnb are rising in popularity, despite hotel accommodation continuing to be the main preference, and safest option, for business travellers. Accommodation options should be evaluated by employers, who must be willing to provide support and guidance if travel choices could potentially increase risk to traveller safety and security.”

The survey also revealed that almost one in five business travellers in India have had to reschedule business travel due to safety concerns, indicating a potential impact to costs and productivity. Despite this, most Indian business travellers have faith in their employer’s ability to aid when needed, with 98% reporting confidence in receiving support.

“While safety and security concerns regarding business travel are fair and legitimate, it’s certainly not impacting business travel volumes. With robust systems and technologies in place to ensure safety, employers can provide their business travelling employees with reassurance. Duty of Care obligations must be clearly communicated, and our intelligence is that Indian employers have demonstrated suitable investment in processes and technology to provide strong safeguards for employee wellbeing while travelling,” said Kishore.