Does Business Travel Still Matter in the Age of Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet?

When the pandemic began, many companies had to switch from sending employees on business trips to meeting virtually. Though this was a good solution at the time, over the past few years, people have started realizing that meeting face-to-face makes such a huge difference when it comes to making connections with others. But with digital communication being such an accessible and easy option, does business travel really still matter, and are companies still sending their employees on business trips in 2023? Here’s everything we think you should know:

What is the Outlook For Business Travel in 2023?

Companies are ready to send their employees on more business trips this year. In fact, business travel is expected to almost reach pre-pandemic levels in 2023. This can be seen in a survey conducted by Morgan Stanley, which found that many companies plan on increasing their travel budgets this year, with some budgets being between 6%-10% higher than in 2019.

Another interesting statistic from that survey was that almost 25% of companies say that they are back to pre-pandemic business travel levels, and 34% predict that they will make a full recovery by the end of the year. A big reason that companies are sending employees on more business trips is that meeting in person helps people make more meaningful connections.

Are Virtual Meetings as Effective as In-Person Meetings?

Although virtual meetings have some benefits (such as saving time commuting), there is nothing like meeting face-to-face with someone in person. Virtual meetings take away from making connections with others and only allow one person to share their ideas at a time. When you attend a meeting in person, you get to interact with one another, bounce ideas off of each other, and make genuine connections. Overall, in-person meetings are a lot more effective than virtual meetings, and it’s crucial that companies keep sending their employees on business trips. 

Does Business Travel Still Matter?

Business travel is still extremely important and has many benefits. Meeting in person helps form connections and allows you to better understand and communicate with others. Another advantage is that you get to have a change of environment. This can help you be more creative and inspire you to develop new ideas. Additionally, business travel allows you to work on your public speaking skills, meet new people, and build confidence.

Do I Need a Passport to Travel For Business?

You will need a passport if you plan on traveling internationally for business. Luckily, obtaining a new passport or passport renewal with Swift is quick and easy. All you need to do is go to our website, start your order, send in the required documents, and wait for our team to process your passport application. Once your passport is ready, we will send it directly to you so that you have it in time for your business trip.

Does Business Travel Require a Visa?

Some countries require that you obtain a visa before entering, so depending on where you plan to go, you may need a business visa or e-Visa. If you find that you need a visa for your trip, Swift Passport and Visa Services can help! Go to our website, start your order, submit your order, send in your required documents, and receive your visa once it has been processed. 

5 Business Travel Tips

To make your business travels go as smoothly as possible, here are some tips you can follow to help you along the way:

1. Ensure You Have All the Necessary Travel Documents: If you plan on traveling internationally for business, you must obtain a passport and possibly a business visa. If you find that this is the case, make sure to check that your travel documents are up to date, and if you need to obtain a new passport, passport renewal, or visa, visit the Swift website and begin the application process right away.
2. Use a Carry-On Luggage: While away, you’ll probably be taking numerous forms of transportation. This means that you’ll be carrying your luggage with you, and a large, clunky piece of luggage will make your life much more complicated. Instead, stick to a carry-on bag to make your journey easier.
3. Fly With the Same Airline: If you’re traveling for business frequently, try and fly with the same airline. This way, you can earn more frequent flier miles and receive some incredible perks, such as using that airline’s lounge before your flight and potentially getting free upgrades.
4. Bring a Portable Charger: The last thing you need to happen is for your phone to die while away on business. That’s why it’s essential to always bring a portable charger with you. You’ll be using your phone a lot for navigation, communicating with others, and you’ll probably need to use your phone for other business-related activities, so make sure that you always have a portable charger accessible no matter where you are.
5. Take Some Time to Relax: Try to find time to relax while you’re away. In fact, why not turn your trip into a mini vacation? Arrive a few days beforehand, and spend some time getting to know your destination. This way, you’ll be able to settle in before jumping right into your work.

Business travel is still so important, even in the age of Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet. Making personal connections in person is crucial to expanding and strengthening your business relationships, which is something that’s very hard to do through a screen. Though virtual meetings have made communication much easier, nothing can ever replace how valuable face-to-face meetings are.