Halfway through 2024, more than half of employees (55%) who travel for work expect their business travel to remain consistent with 2023 levels while more than a quarter (27%) anticipate traveling more for work*.

“It’s a promising indicator for the business travel industry, and one reason why travel growth continues,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies. “In-person meetings are more effective at establishing and maintaining relationships.” 

The survey revealed a blend of optimism and caution among individuals regarding their work-related travel plans with most (82%) anticipating the same or more travel for work for the remainder of the year. Nearly a fifth of respondents (18%) expect a decrease in travel, reflecting ongoing concerns over budget constraints and the effectiveness of virtual communication tools. 

Most respondents (66%) will travel for work domestically and internationally, while 29% will focus solely on domestic travel and a little more than 5% exclusively on international trips. 

The expectations regarding business travel recovery are also varied. While 59% of professionals believe that travel will match or exceed pre-pandemic levels, 26% expect work-related travel to be half or less than half of the number of trips compared to the year before the pandemic. 

The survey results highlighted the increasing popularity of “bleisure” travel, where professionals combine business trips with leisure activities. Nearly three out of four respondents (74%) said they add extra days to their business trips for personal or leisure travel. 

This growing inclination towards bleisure travel underscores a desire for work-life balance and maximizing travel experiences. “Vacations have evolved from a simple escape from work to a dynamic fusion of leisure and productivity. Today, you can effortlessly manage emails while soaking up the sun on a beach in the Bahamas, take a moment during a video call to savor a gelato in Rome, or finish your workday in Oslo and have plenty of time to witness the stunning northern lights illuminating the Arctic sky,” Richards said. 

The shift toward remote and hybrid work models continues to influence travel behavior. Among respondents, nearly half (47%) identify as hybrid workers, balancing time between remote and in-office work. 

“With the potential for increased work-related travel and a growing emphasis on bleisure experiences, business leaders must stay attuned to employees’ evolving needs, especially when updating their duty of care provisions,” Richards said. 

 www.globalrescue.com

*according to the Global Rescue Summer 2024 Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey