As global lockdown eases and business travel open up once more, companies around the world are seeking expert advice on how best to adjust their travel risk management (TRM) programs to a changed world. Luckily for all of these, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has just published their newest addition ISO 31030 – Travel risk management – Guidance for organizations.
Why Travel Risk Management?
Travel Risk Management is a comprehensive, dependable, and proactive approach to protecting your employees and organization from travel risks. The broader picture of travel risk management and Devoir de diligence is not just linked to how well your organization responds to crisis —but rather, how well it can prevent a crisis from happening in the first place. I.e., a solid travel risk management program in place reduces and prevents problems.
These are not in any way new challenges and processes. Back in 2016, Ipsos MORI surveyed over 1 000 people who organize, influence or are responsible for their organization’s travel and risk mitigation policies. Some of their key takeaways were:
- 4 percent of respondents think travel risks will decrease in 2017
- 72 percent say travel risks have increased over the past year
- 57 percent expected travel risks to increase in 2017
- 80 percent say their business has modified itineraries due to health or travel security concerns
A clear trend was displayed even back then, long before the pandemic hit society. As threats continue to increase and more employees travel for business, travel risk management must be a primary focus for organizations of all sizes. These processes and plans should be distributed to all traveling employees to know they will be taken care of when traveling for work.
“If you don‘t have a travel risk management program in place, then now is the perfect time to create one with the guidance of the new ISO 31030 standard, and if you have one, you can now benchmark your program against the standard.”
– Ronny Sæther
Committee Member | Subject Matter Expert | National Representative at ISO – International Organization for Standardization
Travel risks are very dynamic
They constantly change from county to country. Therefore, monitoring and updating your Travel Risk Management program is essential and strategic and intercept new risks that may evolve. It urges organizations to implement an integrated Travel Risk Management System to define operational processes, in-depth analysis, determine rules, provide training, and implement mitigation measures.
Travel Risk Management today
Fast-forward to autumn 2021, travel restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic are being eased for each day that passes, and the International Organization for Standardization has just published the long awaiting ISO 31030.
Whether your employees go abroad for a short or a long time: your policy, solutions, and services need to be coordinated carefully. Every trip is different and will create further challenges and risks. Complete the checkmytravelrisk.com self-assessment questionnaire developed by Safeture and AON. With this tool, you can see how well your organization complies with the ISO 31030 guidance.
