When the global COVID-19 pandemic slowed our industry to a crawl, World Travel, Inc.'s day-to-day priorities and schedule shifted. To continue providing the best possible service and solutions to our clients, we had to carefully consider the threat of the pandemic and how we could enhance traveler safety. We simultaneously worked to ensure the health of our company, our employees and retain our entire staff. 

The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent shutdown of non-essential travel left hotels, airlines, and business travelers sorting through an avalanche of cancellation and refund negotiations. When lockdowns began and flights were cancelled en masse, conflicting airline policies and refund refusals caused confusion. Airlines are currently dealing with an estimated global refund liability of $35 billion, according to Business Travel News. 

Governmental restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are lifting or loosening across the world, and most localities have outlined a clear path to full reopening as pandemic projections change. These official guidelines and plans make some business projections and predictions clear.

Travel analysts across the world are attempting to understand the massive changes the industry will undergo in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of flights have been cancelled across the world's now-empty airports, group meetings and corporate events have moved online, and hotels are struggling to fill their rooms.

In a matter of a few weeks we have seen global travel grind to a halt. The meetings & events industry has suffered from the coronavirus pandemic alongside every other travel-based market.  We’ve gone from hosting events with thousands of people to scrambling to move to a virtual platform and keep our programs full of their usual content and collaboration.

With the recent GBTA endorsement regarding 2021 Hotel RFP season many travel buyers are left to question how they should manage their processes.  Although we respect those involved in that decision, we do not necessarily agree with GBTA’s stance and are fully prepared to manage our clients 2021 hotel programs.

As we all slowly begin the process of phasing back into society, cities and states are opening up,  people are getting back to work, and while travel may seem like something to come later, now is the time to think about what travel is going to look like for your company. Inevitably, you will have to adjust your travel policy, for some those changes may be minor, but for others now will be the time to really mandate that travelers follow your policy to ensure their safety – and your company’s. 

The quickly evolving coronavirus crisis has changed the travel landscape in a matter of weeks leaving many companies scrambling to figure out what business travel will look like once we all return to work. One thing that is absolutely clear, as much as they have been in the past, a proactive and informed account manager will be key to a successful travel program moving forward. They will be your trusted advisor helping you manage all the changes to your program. But if you are asking yourself, how do I know that my account manager is set up to help navigate our company through these uncharted waters? We have outlined a few crucial points your account manager should be reaching out to assist you with.  

Amidst the Coronavirus outbreak, the travel industry as a whole has faced many complications and hardships. With some travel management companies, hotels and airlines, letting go of thousands of employees leaving many travelers confused and at times – helpless.