As we navigate 2025, it’s clear that remote work is not just a temporary shift but a fundamental change in how we operate. The question now is: Is your travel program evolving to meet these new demands?
The Big Idea sessions at the 2024 Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) conferences in Europe and APAC looked at the evolving work culture and its implications for business travel. Sessions takeaways were compiled into The Big Idea report, co-published by BCD and GBTA.
The role of travel managers
Managing a dispersed workforce presents unique challenges and opportunities. The report highlights several critical areas:
- Travel management for a remote workforce: With employees working from various locations, travel managers must adapt to new logistics and coordination challenges.
- Impact on recruitment and relationships: Remote work reshapes how companies attract talent and maintain business relationships.
- Duty of care: Ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, whether they are traveling or working remotely, is paramount.
Remote work is here to stay, and travel managers must adapt by:
- Facilitating collaborative meetings: Guide solutions for group travel and collaborative meetings.
- Integrating work and leisure travel: Support policies that blend work and leisure travel seamlessly.
- Tackle issues related to tax, immigration, and sustainability.
Practical takeaways
The report offers actionable advice for travel managers to enhance their programs:
- Flexible work environments: Embrace flexibility in travel policies to accommodate remote and hybrid work models.
- Compliance and cost control: Implement strategies to manage compliance and control costs effectively.
- Sustainability and equitable access: Promote sustainable travel practices and ensure equitable access to travel opportunities.
Ensuring duty of care
The ISO 31030 Travel Risk Management guidelines emphasize the importance of safeguarding employees’ health and safety. Jorge Mesa, GBTA Europe Advisory Board member, highlighted the shift from travel risk management to people risk management, ensuring safety for all employees, whether traveling or working remotely.
For a deeper understanding of these trends and practical strategies, download the full report. Use the insights to enhance your travel program, support your remote workforce, and stay ahead in this evolving landscape.
What is The Big Idea?
The Big Idea is a hallmark of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) conferences in Europe and APAC. These interactive workshops provide a collaborative platform to tackle challenges and explore opportunities in the business travel industry. Christian Dahl, Executive Vice President of People & Culture at BCD Travel, and Rosemary Maloney, Vice President for the GBTA Board of Directors and Senior Director of Corporate Travel at Freeman Company, led the sessions. Chris Elmitt, CEO of LIVVE, was moderator.
