US. A survey of 250 US travel buyers by the Association of Corporate Travel Executives found that 32% of companies have cut travel in anticipation of a second Gulf war and that 82% intended to curtail international trips if hostilities commenced.
Business travel managers are gearing up for any contingency: war, an act of terrorism, or natural disaster. According to a survey of US-based business travel managers conducted by the association, nearly every corporation has a plan in place to locate, transport, or otherwise assist business travellers faced with adversity.
The result showed a reduced likelihood that the outbreak of hostilities will restrict domestic travel, and that the greatest impact on international travel will be confined to the immediate areas affected. Responses were as follows:
1) Does your company have a contingency plan in place to either evacuate or otherwise secure stranded travellers in the instance of war or a major terrorist action?
Yes 99%
No 01%
2) Was this plan in place prior to 9/11?
Yes 37%
No 63%
3) Did the impact of 9/11 cause you to make changes in your existing contingency plan?
Yes 98%
No 02%
4) Have your travellers expressed concern for being abroad in the face of developing hostilities?
Yes 49%
No 51%
5) What is the most important point in contingency planning for business travellers caught on the road by terrorist actions or war?
Locating them 44%
Communications 20%
Immediate Refuge 11%
Returning home 15%
6) Has the threat of a conflict in the Middle East caused your company to reduce international travel now?
32% yes
68% no
7) Would an actual conflict in the Middle East or elsewhere cause your company to reduce international travel?
18% no
82% yes
8) Would a conflict in the Middle East cause your company to reduce or restrict its domestic travel?
Yes 35%
No 65%
