Pictured above (L-R): Bruce McIndoe, member of GBTA’s board and the Risk Committee; Yannis Karmis, senior vice president, Product Planning and Development, BCD Travel; Christine Connolley, senior program, Global Crisis Management, BCD Travel; and Valerie Ferraro, GBTA Risk Committee board member.
The GBTA Risk Committee conducted an in-depth survey examining participating providers’ alignment with specific areas in the guidelines, including managing travel risk programs, communication and consultation, and program monitoring and review. The aim is to connect organizations with highly credible suppliers of risk management and duty of care services.
In a Company Dime interview about the survey, Bruce McIndoe, a member of GBTA’s board and the Risk Committee, said, “It’s a pretty intense process. It wasn’t like a hotel thing where the hotel checks whatever box, and that’s it. This was reviewing the literature, sample reports, all kinds of things.”
The GBTA Risk Committee validated BCD based on our best-in-class offerings, including our DecisionSource® data intelligence solution and our award-winning TripSource® traveler communication platform. DecisionSource enables travel and security managers to locate travelers quickly with itinerary-based based security maps and reports. From detailed destination information to global risk alerts, TripSource delivers information and advice to travelers when they need it most. Travelers can check in “I’m Safe” at the touch of a button through TripSource, giving peace of mind to organizations caring for their mobile workforce. Travelers and security teams are automatically alerted to risk events via the Emergency Response features in DecisionSource and TripSource.
What is ISO 31030?
ISO 31030 is a guidance for organizations on how to manage risk associated with travel. It provides a structured approach for the development, implementation, evaluation and review of policy, program development, threat and hazard identification, opportunities and strengths, risk assessment, and prevention and mitigation strategies. The goal is to promote a culture where travel-related risk is taken seriously. ISO 31030 referred to as guidance because the standards are applicable globally but cannot be certified against at this time.
Risk experts in BCD’s Global Crisis Management (GCM) team helped prepare our survey responses. The GCM team operates 24/7, monitoring global events and assessing incidents that could potentially affect clients and their travelers. In addition to round-the-clock coverage, they provide subject matter expertise for all things related to travel risk management.
“We leaned into this process because we are fully dedicated to being trusted advisors in travel risk management,” said Christine Connolley, Senior Program Manager, Global Crisis Management at BCD. “While our team is still on the watch and ready to respond 24/7/365, we’ve expanded our services in travel risk management by working through many critical events and helping our clients develop their travel risk management program. It goes much further than providing crisis response during an incident, as there is much more that can be done through education, communication, and mitigation strategies.”
The GBTA Risk Committee surveyed BCD, two other TMCs and several TRM specialists including BCD marketplace partners Crisis24, Healix International and Maiden Voyage. BCD is the only TMC operating a 24/7 Global Crisis Management team.
Is your travel program risk ready?
The Traveler Security Program Assessment offering from Advito, BCD Travel’s consulting arm, helps evaluate an existing travel risk management program and identify ways to enhance it and reduce risk. Conducted by Advito and members of the GCM team, the assessment provides personalized insights into where a program stands today. It is fully customized, taking into consideration the organization’s corporate culture, organizational flow and structure, and risks specific to the organization and industry.
The comprehensive assessment explores multiple aspects of travel risk programs, considering the many risks your organization and employees may face, including disease outbreaks, extreme weather, terrorist attacks, theft and accident scenarios. Completing the Traveler Security Program Assessment and improving your program will reassure employees that their health, safety, and security are organizational priorities. It may help you keep and attract the best talent in your industry and protect your company’s assets, reputation, and business continuity.
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