As we move into 2022, we asked the Thompsons Travel Management Team for their insights into travel this year, plus some helpful tips and advice.
What is your outlook for business travel 2022?
Sharon: The outlook remains positive, but the recovery remains highly dependent on vaccine roll out border restrictions and a normalization of travel policies on both national and corporate levels.
Chantal: There is a positive trend slowly on the rise with a high demand for international travel and knowing that your safety and confidence comes first, each step of your travel experience. Along with a strong focus on sustainability.
Irshaad: Navigating through close to two years of the current pandemic business travel is better placed right now to overcome the challenges and many restrictions that may envelope us in the future. It does look positive as many industries now plan to recover from the previous downturn experienced.
Trish: Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, is saying that global business travel is predicted to surge by 38% in 2022 over 2021’s total and be fully recovered by the end of 2024 – ending the year on pace with 2019 (pre-pandemic).
Priti: My outlook for business travel is positive. The fast increase that business travel showed us in October and November 2021, was a positive example of what is to come in 2022. Business travellers are likely to take the chance to travel this year to ‘close deals’ face-to-face rather than virtually, and possibly extend trips for their own leisure purpose whilst they are there.
Over the past two years, many of those who travel multiple times a year for business were relegated to digital conferences and meetings, and long-distance calls. Now as business travel has opened up around the world, we’ve asked our team to suggest their top items to pack. So, whether you’re heading off on an international business trip, or a trip that allows you to combine work with leisure, here are our top tips on what to pack.
What would you bring along on a trip?
Sharon: An epic road trip playlist to enjoy.
Chantal: ‘Takkies’! Always know that wherever I go, I’m able to gear up for some exercise and mental well-being.
Irshaad: A healthy dose of medication for any eventuality. I have found that when travelling abroad especially, you do need that covered now more than ever.
Trish: My kindle so I can read at airports or train stations and never get bored.
Priti – A flask to refill water as I go (instead of buying plastic bottles) and my running shoes. I always find the best way to explore a city or town, locally or internationally; is with an early morning run in the streets or countryside.
Travelling for the first time in 2022? Make sure that you’ve got your pack list ready, laptop and cell phone charged, and your expectations set for a successful trip. Here are our best travel tips for travelling this year.
What is your best travel tip?
Sharon: Do not be afraid to get purposefully lost…
Chantal: Explore the local culture, food, and beauty of your surroundings!
Irshaad: Travel with no expectations and submerge yourself into the culture of each place travelled.
Trish: Travel light and dress simply. Preferably wear layers as there may be heating (or air-conditioning). It helps if your clothes do not crease as you may wear them for an extended period. Wear (extremely comfortable) shoes that are worn in, so you can move easily as you may have to walk far. Waterproof mascara!
Priti – Be adventurous, go off the beaten track, and take lots of photos and remember to save them when you get home!
If incentive trips are on your company’s radar this year, then make sure you have considered a variety of destination and experience options that are sure to wow your team! The FIFA World Cup™ takes place in Qatar later this year and is the perfect sporting event to send your deserving team to. Still not sure? Our team suggests their favourite incentive trip options for 2022.
What do you recommend as the ultimate incentive trip?
Sharon: Russia is home to rich cultural diversity and has vast natural beauty. Discovering Russian history should be truly epic and ideal for an incentive trip!
Chantal: Unique, impactful and loads of fun! I would recommend Croatia, it’s truly captivating, has a diverse culture and is gorgeous, oh and eat… eat… eat!
Irshaad: I have always loved everything about Italy, from the history and monuments to the delicious cuisine and just an authentic wood oven pizza. Hearing the roar of an Italian supercar to embracing the emotion of an opera. Italy has it all and more.
Trish: On a personal level, I would say Ireland as my family is Irish and I have never been there. I have heard it is incredibly beautiful. I would love to see where they filmed Game of Thrones. I would also love to go to Egypt for historical reasons (pyramids etc.)
Priti: Bali – for the Eat, Pray, Love experience.
If you are planning your corporate travel this year; are considering making use of an experienced travel management company, or simply, would like some advice about sustainable travel solutions, mobility options and ease of booking, receiving reports or travel budgeting, contact us now. We are available on WhatsApp, via our web form or you can give us a call.
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