In light of recent security incidents in Asia—last month's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, and this month's airport closures in Bangkok, Thailand, which were caused by massive government protests—the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) has conducted a survey in order to determine the impact on business travel at American companies.
"The horrific attacks in Mumbai and the protests that closed major airports in Bangkok highlighted why it is so important for companies to have sophisticated travel management programs with risk management capabilities," NBTA President and CEO Kevin Maguire, CCTE, GLP, said in a statement. "In both incidents, the vast majority of companies were equipped to quickly identify and contact the travelers who may have been impacted. As business continues to globalize, travel risk increases, making travel management increasingly essential to meeting strategic goals."
NBTA's survey of 191 corporate travel buyers found that:
• Fifteen percent of respondents had travelers or local employees who were directly affected in Mumbai, while 32 percent had travelers or local employees who were directly affected in Bangkok.
• An additional 29 percent of respondents had travelers or employees on location who were not directly affected in Mumbai.
• Nearly nine out of 10 respondents were able to utilize traveler tracking systems to locate affected employees and contact them after the crisis in Mumbai, while 85 percent were able to do the same in Bangkok.
• Forty-two percent of respondents expect a decline in their companies' travel volume to Mumbai, and 34 percent in their companies' travel volume to Bangkok.
In light of its survey results, NBTA says corporations should place greater emphasis on well-managed travel programs that include safety training and communications, robust risk management programs and an increased focus on hotel security during the sourcing process.
For more information on the NBTA survey, which is available online to NBTA members, visit
www.nbta.org.