Fortune 500 company executives are actively preparing for a possible avian influenza pandemic and making traveler safety and risk mitigation measures top priorities of travel management programs, according to survey results to be released next Wednesday by International SOS, the medical assistance company.
A survey of 100 global companies that include manufacturing, financial, technology and oil and gas companies found that 76 percent of respondents are putting traveler locater services into place, while 73 percent are undergoing employee health-risk mitigation training. Additionally, 70 percent of respondents are formalizing work-from-home policies and 41 percent are stockpiling sterile masks and gloves in preparation for the possible spread of avian flu.
The survey comes as more clients demand customizable systems and regionalized tracking capabilities from risk management companies. International SOS this week unveiled a full version upgrade of its service, adding such features as a global overview of travelers and situations, new search functions, e-mail alerts and the ability to edit traveler information.
A growing number of experienced buyers are pioneering direct relationships with such companies as International SOS and IJet Intelligent Risk Systems instead of relying on the daily reporting mechanisms provided by travel management companies to ensure traveler safety and security
(BTN, March 6). Meanwhile, travel management companies have partnered with risk management companies on various levels to offer third-party services in addition to their own tracking tools.