Over the past 18 months, business has transformed dramatically. With the shift to fully digital workflows now easing, face-to-face office interactions are returning—alongside enhanced safety measures and hybrid schedules. This resurgence also brings back business travel.
Before the pandemic, business travelers spent significant time in airports, hotels, and rental cars. While these essentials remain, their impact on employee well-being has shifted profoundly, thanks to a newfound emphasis on holistic wellness in corporate mobility.
The pandemic pushed many into remote work, but office returns loom. A Gensler survey reveals employees crave in-person networking and community, hard to replicate virtually. Even with Delta variant delays, major employers eye post-Labor Day reopenings for 2021.
Remote work saved time and costs, yet many fear lasting damage to team cohesion. In-person client meetings, conferences, and summits build relationships beyond agendas. A Harvard Business Review study shows 95% agree face-to-face meetings strengthen these bonds.
Stronger client ties via personal interactions undeniably fortify organizations. The Global Business Traveler Report notes 80% of travelers worry remote-only limits harm their careers. Investing in in-person engagement signals commitment to exceptional customer experiences.
The 2021 Gallup Report indicates 57% of North American employees face daily stress since the pandemic began—up 8% from prior years. Prioritizing travel wellness in 2021 can boost happiness and curb burnout. Offer access to healthy regimens, like hiking groups fostering physical and social health.
A possible office return means more air travel. Organizations must adapt, with the pandemic spotlighting employee wellness as paramount.
How can companies elevate well-being amid resuming travel? Globally, 78% of employers commit to healthy cultures for engagement. Support this via furnished residences promoting health—ideal for extended stays or relocations—easing transitions and enhancing performance.
Business travel offers cultural immersion and deeper client insights, but mishandled trips risk talent loss. Prioritize safety, satisfaction, and health awareness. Extended trips amplify job stress and family separation; counter with exercise programs to sharpen focus and ease tension, reclaiming free time for better experiences.
For long-term assignments, ensure communication access, like dedicated support lines. Cover travel expenses thoughtfully, accounting for destination housing costs and living adjustments.
In competitive global markets, international travel is vital, often requiring relocations. Weigh family impacts carefully. Key factors: living costs and benefits. Engage global mobility experts for seamless moves—from packing to premium housing and tax navigation. Top employers retain talent via strong benefits, stability, and growth. Notably, 65% of global employers see wellness programs as key to attraction and retention.
Global travel rebounds, driven by corporations. Comfortable, safe accommodations are essential. U.S. full-time workers with chronic conditions miss 450 million more workdays yearly than healthy peers. Corporate housing with wellness focus delivers:
Business trips shouldn't disrupt; home-like settings enable peak performance. Proactive planning ensures smooth 2021 travel.
Empowering employee well-being drives top results. Companies investing here elevate satisfaction and ROI.
About the Author
Daniel Corridon, co-founder and CEO of Stay Fit—a global extended-stay innovator voted one of "America's Best Entrepreneurial Companies" by Entrepreneur magazine in 2016—brings 20+ years of executive experience, a Yale Certificate in Wellness Science, and advisory roles like COMPETE Co.
