i+D - July/August 2021 - 25

When COVID-19 hit and lockdowns began around the globe,
experts' doom-and-gloom predictions spelled trouble for the
travel industry. Some pundits said business travel would be
eliminated forever, while others surmised that family vacations
would become relics of bygone eras. With vaccination numbers
increasing, however, we're beginning to see a return to
pre-pandemic normalcy-including scheduled trips for both
work and pleasure.
Indeed, the numbers on the leisure side of the travel spectrum are
cause for optimism. The Gensler Research Institute's U.S. Hospitality
Pulse Survey, released in June, found that 70 percent of people
intend to travel before the end of 2021, and 37 percent plan to take
more than one trip. Among employed respondents, only 7 percent
have upcoming plans to go on a business trip.
Both Gensler and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)
conducted recent surveys to evaluate what's driving business and
leisure travel now, whether there are lingering concerns, and if
there's a post-pandemic travel boom on the horizon. Findings
indicate that people are ready to get back out and explore, and
indecision has been replaced with actual bookings. And we can
expect to see the numbers increase as the year progresses.
According to the results of the GBTA's 20th COVID-19 poll,
released in June, domestic business travel plans are on tap for
employees and companies alike. Three in four GBTA buyer and
procurement members (77 percent) feel their employees are
" somewhat willing " or " very willing " to travel for business in
the current environment.
Additionally, two in five respondents (40 percent) say their
company's plan to resume non-essential domestic business travel
has " already happened. " A range of firms are finally getting
back to the business of business. " Some of the companies with
a product focus, those are the ones that seem to be letting people
get back on the road again. There's a huge pent-up demand, " says
Suzanne Neufang, executive director of the GBTA. " I think travel
is certainly being driven by the leisure side right now, but business
travel is picking up. "
Suzanne Neufang, GBTA
(Image: Courtesy of GBTA)
" Of the 70 percent that plan to take a trip before the end of the year,
57 percent of them said that their trips were actually deferred due to
the pandemic. I do think that there's a lot of making up for trips that
people had to cancel, reschedule, or were credited for, " says Michelle
DeCurtis, associate, research strategist, Gensler in New York.
Which of the following
best describes your
company?
Plan to re-open office(s)
in the country where based
Plan to resume non-essential
domestic business travel in
country where based
Plan to resume non-essential
international business travel
from country where based
Already
happened
43%
40%
12%
We have
decided on
or announced
a date
24%
8%
5%
We are working to
finalize a date but have
not decided or announced
one yet
21%
25%
21%
We are waiting to
see what happens
8%
18%
39%
Not sure
4%
8%
23%
Source: Global Business Travel Association (GBTA members polled in June 2021)
i+D - July/August 2021
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i+D - July/August 2021

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