Most companies have a travel risk management policy in place, but many also report gaps in that policy, including lack of regular audits and an understanding of recently introduced international standards, according to a BCD Travel survey.
The survey—which BCD conducted in January with 96 respondents—showed that 53 percent had a risk management policy as part of their travel policy, and an additional 21 percent said they had a one separate from their travel policy. Only 16 percent said they had no travel risk management policy, and 9 percent said they did not know.
In terms of support offered, 82 percent of companies surveyed said they provide pre-trip destination information, and 74 percent provide health alerts and/or on-trip security. About two-thirds said they have pre-trip approvals in place, while less frequently used policies included vaccine and/or health checks (54 percent), general security training (50 percent) and destination-specific security training (41 percent).
Respondents showed little familiarity, however, with the International Organization for Standardization's travel risk management standard, ISO 31030, which was created in 2021. Only 14 percent of respondents said they have read the standard, and 11 percent said they had a passing familiarity with it. Thirty-one percent of respondents said they had never heard of it at all, while 45 percent said they had heard of it but knew little about it.
That lack of familiarity means "organizations could potentially be missing important components of their TRM program," according to BCD's report. For example, only 30 percent said they conduct annual reviews of their program, as recommended by the standard. A larger portion, 38 percent, said they did not know how frequently the program is reviewed, while about a quarter said it happens on an ad hoc basis. About 27 percent said reviews happen either every two to five years, after a major incident or organizational changes or not at all. Respondents could choose more than one answer.
More than 60 percent of respondents said updates to their program were communicated companywide, which BCD called "promising."
Forty-five percent of respondents also said they provide no post-trip support for travelers. Only 15 percent said they request travel feedback after trips, and 14 percent said they offer personal time off after trips.
"Part of an organization's duty of care is to ensure travelers have the necessary support for any type of trauma or stress experienced while traveling," BCD said in its report. "The effects don't stop once a trip is over and can have a long-lasting impact on both a traveler's physical and mental health."
BCD said the survey also shows a "noticeable gap" between risk management processes in place and what travelers want from their program, as indicated by a BCD Travel survey of travelers conducted last August. For instance, 53 percent of travelers indicated they wanted their employer to have a central contact in case of emergency, but only 12 percent of companies surveyed provide that. Only 5 percent of companies said they communicate clear instructions on what to do in case of an emergency, which 44 percent of travelers said would make them feel safe.