With the coronavirus pandemic came a huge trend in people working remotely. Due to health concerns, people traded in their business suits and daily commute to the office for pajamas and a seat at their home office. This significantly impacted how people do business and affected the state of business travel.
Though the number of COVID-19 cases continues to lessen, many people are looking to limit the number of days they go into the office. Going into the office five days a week may not be a viable option for many employees anymore. Which brings on this question – how will remote work change the state of business travel? Here’s what we know:
How Many People in the United States Work Remotely?
The number of people working remotely has significantly increased since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Even when it was safe to return to the office, many people preferred to continue working outside the office. According to Apollo Technical Engineered Talent Solutions, more than 4.7 million Americans work remotely at least half the time, and 16% of workers are fully remote globally.
What Are the Benefits of Working Remotely?
There are so many benefits of working remotely that it’s easy to see why many employees would prefer to do so. Some of the main benefits include that you save time on commuting, you save money on gas, it’s easier to have a healthy work-life balance, and you have more flexibility regarding when and where you are working. Many people seem to find that they prefer working remotely over going into the office daily.
Will Business Travel Ever Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels?
The coronavirus pandemic took a substantial toll on business travel. People were traveling for business significantly less, and it seemed as if business travel would never return to pre-pandemic levels. But it now appears like business travel could eventually return to pre-pandemic levels… it just may take a little longer than expected. According to NerdWallet, domestic business travel won’t recover until 2024
What Does the Future of Business Travel Look Like?
Though people will continue to travel for business, remote business meetings and conferences may become increasingly popular. On the one hand, companies save time and money by having their employees work remotely, but on the other hand, there’s value in meeting in person for business meetings. So, for the foreseeable future, it seems as if companies may continue to use a hybrid model of conducting business remotely and traveling for business.
Is Remote Work Here to Stay?
In short, yes. Remote work is here to stay. To what extent? We aren’t exactly sure. But what we do know is that employees are enjoying the opportunity to work from wherever they want. This opens up many opportunities and freedoms that can’t be offered working solely in an office, which is more than enough reason for people to want to work remotely.
Where Can I Get a Passport or Business Visa For My Trip?
If you plan on traveling for business and need to obtain a passport, visa, or business visa for your trip, Swift can help! You can get the application process started on our website. If you have any questions along the way, please feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to help! No matter where you plan on going, we’ll get you there!
