According to a consulting firm, Deloitte, U.S. business travel could soon exceed levels reached before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of those organizations surveyed, 73 percent expect more employee travel more this year, a 15-point jump from 2023. The expected spending on business travel by U.S. companies in 2024 will reach and perhaps surpass 2019 levels.

Deloitte's annual corporate travel survey says, on the one hand, that fewer total people are traveling; however, the ones who are hitting the road are doing so more frequently. Half of those surveyed in charge of travel-and-expense budgets say their teams are traveling more frequently in 2024 than they did last year. One in five "frequent traveler" respondents, those who travel more than 10 times a year, are taking at least one trip a month. "Business travel is almost all the way back, Deloitte says" www.qz.com (Jul. 18, 2024).

Commentary
 

Basic common sense safety measures should be explained to employees, such as driving on main roads, avoiding driving at night or into unfamiliar places, always maintaining awareness, not abusing alcohol, or not using illicit drugs.

Also, dress professional and low-key.

What other steps can help traveling employees?

• Research the safety issues in the areas your employee will be in
• Have a policy, forbidding an employee from engaging in personal activities such as shopping or sightseeing while traveling for work
• Hire security
• Do not publicize travel plans on social media
• Make sure the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate is informed of the dates the employee will be in the country and where they will be staying
• Have your employee participate in anti-kidnapping training
• Have your employee download apps - the SafeAround, International SOS, and the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.