As the French government investigation proceeds, and facts change, e.g., discovery of additional imminent attacks, or actual attacks, organizational responses regarding travel policy could change significantly. The survey results provided below will act as a baseline for future surveys to gauge response to moving circumstances.
WASHINGTON, DC – Business Travel Coalition conducted a survey over the weekend into Monday in response to the terror attacks in Paris last Friday evening. The purpose of the survey was to provide an early snapshot for travel and risk managers to understand how companies and other organizations are responding regarding potential near-term travel policy changes. Eighty-four (84) corporate, university and government travel, sourcing and risk managers from seventeen (17) countries participated in the survey.
Importantly, the results are prospective in the sense that any travel policy changes, for most organizations, have not yet been decided upon, but rather, are under consideration in real time. As the French government investigation proceeds, and facts change, e.g., discovery of additional imminent attacks, or actual attacks, organizational responses regarding travel policy could change significantly. The survey results provided below will act as a baseline for future surveys to gauge response to moving circumstances.
Summary results
- 20% of survey participants are very or somewhat likely to cancel travel to France for some period of time.
- 20% are somewhat likely to cancel travel to to/within Europe for some period of time.
- 70% are very or somewhat likely to allow employees discretion with regard to travel to France
- 55% are very or somewhat likely to allow employees discretion with regard to travel to/within Europe.
- 16% are very or somewhat likely to cancel travel to France until the investigation determines if the attack is just one of many in the planning stages
- 5% are very or somewhat likely to cancel travel to/within Europe until the investigation determines if the attack is just one of many more in the planning stages.
- 30% are very or somewhat likely to cancel travel to France if the attack is just one of many more in the planning stages until strategic modifications to travel policy are considered.
- 35% are very or somewhat likely to cancel travel to/within Europe if the attack is just one of many more in the planning stages until strategic modifications to travel policy are considered.
- 55% indicate their company’s Duty-of-Care policy will drive any modification to travel policy.
Analysis
Not surprisingly the vast majority of companies/organizations are likely to provide their employees personal discretion regarding travel to France and to and within Europe – 70% and 55% respectively.
Some 20% of survey participants are likely to cancel travel to France and to and within Europe for some period of time. If the French government investigation determines that Friday’s terror attack was just one of many more in the planning stages, then 30% of organizations indicate that they will likely cancel travel to France until strategic modifications to travel policy are considered. Of course, additional terror attacks could cause further significant erosion in travel demand affecting all travel sectors.
The airline industry is a highly leveraged one in the sense that the last several passengers that board an airplane can often make the difference between profit and loss on any given flight. As such, the percentages of potential restraint on demand discovered in this survey should be of concern to governments, airlines, hotel and rental car companies and other travel and tourism providers. In the coming days airline and other booking data should shed more light on the terror attack’s impact on travel demand.
Survey questions and responses
Given what we know now about the attacks how likely are the following travel policy modifications?
My company will cancel to travel to France for some period of time.
- 10.5% Very likely
- 10.5% Somewhat likely
- 42.1% Somewhat unlikely
- 36.8% Very unlikely
My company will cancel to travel to/within Europe for some period of time.
- 0% Very likely
- 20% Somewhat likely
- 20% Somewhat unlikely
- 60% Very unlikely
My company will allow employees discretion with regard to travel to France.
- 25% Very likely
- 45% Somewhat likely
- 15% Somewhat unlikely
- 15% Very unlikely
My company will allow employees discretion with regard to travel to/within Europe.
- 35% Very likely
- 20% Somewhat likely
- 30% Somewhat unlikely
- 15% Very unlikely
My company will cancel travel to France until the investigation determines if the attack is just one of many in the planning stages.
- 5.3% Very likely
- 10.3% Somewhat likely
- 26.3% Somewhat unlikely
- 57.9% Very unlikely
My company will cancel travel to/within Europe until the investigation determines if the attack is just one of many more in the planning stages.
- 5% Very likely
- 0% Somewhat likely
- 20% Somewhat unlikely
- 75% Very unlikely
If the attack is just one of many more in the planning stages, then my company will cancel travel to France until strategic modifications to travel policy are considered.
- 15% Very likely
- 15% Somewhat likely
- 55% Somewhat unlikely
- 15% Very unlikely
If the attack is just one of many more in the planning stages, then my company will cancel travel to to/within Europe until strategic modifications to travel policy are considered.
- 10% Very likely
- 25% Somewhat likely
- 50% Somewhat unlikely
- 15% Very unlikely
Our company’s Duty of Care policy will drive any modification to travel policy.
- 0% Strongly Disagree
- 20% Disagree
- 25% Unsure
- 50% Agree
- 5% Strongly Agree.
World Committee on Tourism Ethics condemns hideous terrorist attacks in Paris
The World Committee on Tourism Ethics, meeting in Paris on 16 November 2015, strongly condemns the terrorist attacks perpetrated last week in the capital of France and recently in other parts of the world.
We express our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims in this tragic moment and recall that terrorism is a global threat that requires a strong and coordinated action from the international community.
The French people have always stood up for the universal values we all share and we are confident that they will once again endure beyond the hate that these hideous acts want to generate.
Terrorism poses a direct threat to international stability, prosperity and to the cultural heritage of mankind. It targets the lives of innocents all around the world and it menaces the livelihoods of millions as it aims to paralyse our societies with fear and destroy our economies, including tourism.
As the body responsible for interpreting, applying and evaluating the provisions of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the Committee recalls that tourism as a force for peace, human rights and mutual understanding is the fundamental axis of the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism.
Article I of the Code states that “The understanding and promotion of the ethical values common to humanity, with an attitude of tolerance and respect for the diversity of religious, philosophical and moral beliefs, are both the foundation and the consequence of responsible tourism; stakeholders in tourism development and tourists themselves should observe the social and cultural traditions and practices of all peoples, including those of minorities and indigenous peoples and to recognize their worth.”
The Committee has decided to maintain, as scheduled, its 16th Meeting of Committee, in Paris as a clear statement of support to the French people and our common fight against any form of terrorism.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
