Northstar

TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA O F F I C I A L D A I L I E S www.travelweekly-asia.com 19 27 October 2017 TRAVEL SMART AND STAY SAFE Contributed by International SOS A recent Ipsos MORI study revealed business decision- makers views on travel risks: despite an increased perception of risk (72% of respondents), 44% reported a rise in business travel activity in 2016 and over half expect further increase in 2017. 80% of organisations modified travel itineraries in 2016 due to health and security concerns. 1/3 of all organisations modified travel itineraries due to country risk ratings. The study interviewed over 1,000 business decision-makers, responsible for their organisation's travel risk mitigation in 75 countries, representing in excess of 500,000 travellers globally. The top three challenges in mitigating travel risks were reported by business decision- makers as: • Educating employees about travel risks: 49% • Communicating during a crisis: 47% • Tracking employee travel: 42% New technologies and innovations have helped with such travel risk mitigation plans. For instance, the Travel Risk Map 2017, launched by International SOS and Control Risks, provides a comprehensive overview of medical and travel security risks by destination. The use of the Travel Risk Map can aid organisations and staff in their travel risk mitigation efforts and reiterates the importance of prevention and being proactive. This also ensures that mitigated actions are based on reality and not perception. Almost one in three have modified their corporate travel plans, as a result of the analyses from the Travel Risk Map. Employers can also exercise their Duty of Care responsibility by educating employees about travel risks, communication and crisis tracking. This can be achieved by obtaining accurate and timely information of the country, communicating to their travelling delegates, and having a robust business continuation plan that factors in medical and security concerns. On an individual basis, common tactics used to reduce exposure to health and security risks when travelling abroad include following taxi routes on phones, sharing itineraries with friends and family, and researching on threats at the destination. For International SOS, we support organisations through our 3As approach that prepare, support and provide assistance. The 3As are Assess, Advise, Assist. • Assess is looking at all avenues associated with the employee's journey, destination and/ or environment. We complement this with an assessment of the individual's risk profile, in order to offer customised advice to our clients. • Advise is helping our members stay informed of changing risks. Should a member have a concern, we provide local expert advice to resolve the problem; without the need to disrupt assignment. We also recommend options for further assistance should they require it. • Assist is supporting our client's workforce by providing on-the-ground healthcare and security solutions; activating a response service should it be necessary. Our recommendation to all is "prevention is better than intervention". The biggest pitfall corporates and travellers can make is inadequate preparation. Some pre-trip planning can go a long way in helping to mitigate unexpected situations.

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