The world is diverse, and travel connects people around the globe with different backgrounds, traditions, and beliefs. Equally, the workplace is becoming more diverse too, and while this leads to more innovation and business success, it also means business travellers have a unique set of needs and preferences when they travel.
Ultimately the principle is to respect individual differences and incorporating this ethos into business travel programs can enrich the travel experience for everyone.
Here are four simple strategies to create more inclusive and supportive business travel programs.
1. Partner with HR to build DE&I into business travel
HR departments focus on employee engagement and wellbeing, so they are a great source of information to provide insight into the unique needs of an organisation’s workforce. By engaging with your HR teams, you will understand what employees’ needs are relating to DE&I, which will help you to implement strategies that address current needs and ultimately help increase employee engagement and satisfaction.
A well-designed travel policy will contribute to an attractive employment package, which will help HR recruit and retain loyal, engaged, and productive employees. It will also help to make business trips easy, productive, and safe.
2. Create inclusive travel policies
Truly inclusive travel policies consider the whole person, not just the business traveller. Once you understand the DEI landscape, adapt travel policies to support the diverse needs of the travelling workforce. This may include securing female-only-floor accommodation, specific dietary requirements like vegan or Halal meals, arranging wheelchair access, or accommodating cultural preferences.
Companies are also recognising the need to address common travel stressors like overstimulating airports and loud environments. Providing pre-travel information and itineraries helps neurodivergent employees process information at their own pace, reducing stress.
3. Align DEI with Sustainability
More and more organisations are including DEI in their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) portfolio. An easy way to align your travel plans is to support local businesses that contribute to the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the destination.
Look for hotels, restaurants and tours that are locally owned and operated and support sustainable initiatives. A quick way to assess this is to check the website and certifications of the businesses you choose.
4. Provide duty of care for a diverse workforce
Ensuring the safety of every traveller is vital, but it’s important to identify which traveller groups may face unique obstacles at their destinations and include extra considerations surrounding these in the travel policy.
Some questions travel managers can ask to identify these instances include:
- What are the cultural norms in this travel destination? Is my team likely to experience discrimination?
- Do my travellers have accessibility requirements? If so, mandate the use of safe, vetted accommodations and transportation options.
- What vaccinations and health precautions are required? Where relevant, provide guidance to diverse health needs and potential access issues.
When an employee is traveling on behalf of their company, they should feel supported and taken care of, regardless of their differences. Companies that provide the highest level of duty of care and treat each employee as an individual will foster a more welcoming environment within their travel program and throughout their organisation.