Opinion: New standard for corporate travel includes hybrid meetings

by

Corporate travel was heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, in view of the near paralysis of the economy as of March, trips made by companies, in Brazil and abroad, hardly took place. Events such as fairs and exhibitions were suspended. The negative impact was not greater due to the good performance of car rental companies, which maintained growth compared to 2019 due to the stoppage of air travel.

But finally, at the end of 2021, the sector is starting to show good signs of recovery, with the advance of vaccination and the resumption of travel and events. Abracorp (Brazilian Association of Corporate Travel Agencies) expects the segment to close the year at levels just 25% to 30% below 2019, before the pandemic. Since April 2021, there have been signs of recovery.

For 2022, the outlook is even more optimistic. There is a repressed demand in all sectors and the recent opening of borders in several countries is also beginning to agitate the international market. This segment represented, in 2019, around 35% of the volume transacted by agencies linked to Abracorp, but currently accounts for only 10%.

One of the signs of a return to normality occurred in early October this year. Igor Tosqui, a commercial area professional at Scania, one of the largest truck assemblers in the world, embarked from Congonhas to Curitiba on a long journey of trips to brand resellers throughout Brazil, after a long period of talking only through online platforms. Scania, a multinational giant, authorized the resumption of travel by its employees.

It was an iconic moment for the corporate travel industry. Scania’s decision, attended by Abracorp associates, is just one example of what has been happening in countless companies, both large, medium and small.

This is the dynamic of corporate travel, involving and integrating a countless network of products and services, of people and companies. The corporate traveler drives a huge production chain, from a small parts factory to restaurants, mobility applications and travel insurance, generating employment and income.

Corporate travel and events are now being taken up with a different model.

Hybrid meetings, face-to-face and virtual, are consolidating new dynamics of meetings in the new post-pandemic normal. The use of digital broadcasting resources has extended the connection with even larger audiences for companies. The experiences that we are aware of show that the hybrid came strong. Face-to-face events, broadcast online, around the world, are joining the virtual audience with the in-person.

And how will this recovery be from 2022 on? Certainly governance has a relevant position. The pandemic brought some warnings to society as a whole. Taking care of others, unity, discipline and a growing concern of companies with social and corporate responsibilities should raise the level of B2B relationships to more lasting and sustainable levels in every way.

Most agencies reduced their staff to 50% in the pandemic and are now looking to replace vacancies. And new care dynamics will be needed, with team training, added to the care required by the LGPD and health protocols.

For all that, November gives us plenty of reasons to believe, even more, in recovery. However, it is not possible to renounce the mass vaccination of the entire Brazilian and world population, as well as hygiene protocols. The world of travel and corporate events thanks you.

.

You May Also Like

Recommended for you