The start of the global pandemic brought disruption and uncertainty for the travel industry. With flights coming to a standstill and travel restrictions – there was no clear way out. As life appears to be returning to a new normal, things are beginning to look up for the travel industry.

Thankfully, life has changed for the better. This is largely down to the mass vaccine rollout – meaning travel is a much safer and more viable option. People are starting to return to offices and, business meetings are happening in person. However, with so much of our work now adapted to become remote, how has this shaped business travel today? Also, how have client expectations changed to meet the new normal?

More expected of health and safety frameworks 

Despite an appeared light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, the threat of COVID-19 remains in the UK and beyond. To kickstart the business travel industry companies had to adjust their health and safety measures to ensure their customers felt protected from the virus.

Lorraine Evans from SilverDoor Apartments says: “The pandemic brought with it many safety concerns surrounding business travel. This in turn highlighted the need for an even more robust, standardised health and safety framework within the temporary accommodation market.”

With forward-thinking companies implementing new procedures to safeguard customers, a new health and safety standard has emerged.

Sustainability coming to the forefront

With words from the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference still ringing in our ears, there is more focus on sustainability than ever before.

Companies are exploring new ways to become carbon neutral and introduce the sustainable practice into their day to day lives. London serviced apartment specialists, SilverDoor, have become “the first serviced apartment provider to partner with Trees4Travel, with an aim to offset the carbon emissions produced by our business offering.”

Companies like SilverDoor and others in the business travel sector are doing more for sustainability. Subsequently, business travel clients expect sustainability for their trips.

Flexible travel arrangements

The pandemic is ever-changing, and rules can get enforced when you least expect it – bringing a level of uncertainty for business travellers. What’s more, with isolation rules in place for those that test positive for COVID-19, people need the option to adapt their trip if they can no longer make it.

Companies have become more flexible with their check-in dates, with some allowing you to move dates up to 24 hours before you’re due to arrive. Some businesses allow you to get a refund or a voucher for your stay so you can redeem it at a later date.

Business travel flexibility is now a must for many travellers, changing processes for the better.