New research from the Global Business Travel Association shows a bit of optimism for the travel industry. GBTA conducted its seventh poll (since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic) of its membership May 13–15, and received 1,705 member company responses.

The poll’s key findings include:

• One in four GBTA member companies report plans to resume travel to the United States (28 percent) and/or Canada (24 percent) in the near future
• Four in 10 report their company is considering resuming travel to the United States (44 percent), Europe (43 percent) and Canada (41 percent) in the near future, but with no definitive plans in place
• Half are considering resuming all travel, regardless of country or region, in the near future, with no definitive plans in place
• One in 10 GBTA member companies report they do not plan to resume all travel in the near future

The companies surveyed will be strategic in resuming travel, initially beginning with specific states and regions, while other member companies plan to wait until they feel comfortable traveling anywhere in the country. A majority, at 62 percent, believe most or some employees will be willing to travel after restrictions are lifted. Thirty-seven percent allow for some essential business travel, while 56 percent have canceled or suspended all business travel.

When it comes to hotels, 80 percent want to see increased cleaning standards; 55 percent want employees to wear masks; and 43 percent want social distancing protocols to be in place. Ground transportation can also take several steps to ease traveler concerns, including providing hand sanitizer and wipes to customers (68 percent); install a partition to separate the passenger and driver (52 percent); and provide face mask and gloves to passengers (16 percent).

Click here for the complete poll findings.

“People aren’t going to travel until they feel safe. Our member companies want to see several health and safety steps taken at every stage of the travel process — from ground transportation to airlines, to hotels. As restrictions across the globe begin to lift, small green shoots of optimism are sprouting in the industry with more than half (54 percent) of companies considering resuming all travel in the near future. That is a positive, albeit small, sign that we are finally headed in the right direction,” said Scott Solombrino, CEO, GBTA.

When is your company planning to resume business travel? When will you feel comfortable traveling again? Tell us about it. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com. Please include your full name and location.