UK business travellers reveal that whilst Covid added limitations to business travel, there are mixed feelings now travel is back. A fifth (20%) are happy to be travelling for work again but 18% are now more concerned about their health and well-being while travelling, rising to a quarter (24%) of over 55s.

According to a new Opinium survey, commissioned by World Travel Protection, a leading global travel risk management organisation, the 500 business travellers surveyed reveal that almost one in five (17%) feel less safe when travelling for work than before the pandemic.  Hangovers from the pandemic are also causing concerns, such as the ongoing disruptions and staff shortages (14%).

One in ten (12%) now refuse to travel to places they deem unsafe and one in ten (11%) would refuse a work placement abroad as they feel there are too many risks. 9% also say they don’t want to be based abroad for work now because of the risk of future disruptions, like a pandemic.

When asked how they feel when travelling for work, tiredness and exhaustion came out top (26%), followed by feeling anxious (22%) stressed (19%) and lonely (16%). Over one in seven (16%) also say they get homesick and miss home, whereas only 13% said they felt freedom from being away from family responsibilities.

Kate Fitzpatrick, Regional Security Director, EMEA, at World Travel Protection, said: “For some the return to business travel has been hard, and this has not been helped by the constant threat of disruption to the best-laid plans. It’s essential, therefore, that business travellers feel their employer is supporting them and looking out for the best interests while they’re away.”

Kate concludes: “To mitigate risk and alleviate concerns, organisations should ensure that travelling employees are provided with the most up-to-date information on destinations and travel routes, and consider using a travel assistance company with a live travel app which provides assistance updates in real time.”