Organizations Take Control As Travel Risks Are Perceived To Rise

TREVOSE, Pa., Nov. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- International SOS and Control Risks, two of the world's leading medical and security specialists, today launched the industry leading Travel Risk Map for 2017.  Providing a comprehensive overview of risks by destination, the Travel Risk Map helps organizations and their mobile workforce in their travel risk mitigation efforts. Last year this resulted in almost ⅓ (32%) of decision-makers changing corporate travel plans.

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Rob Walker, Security specialist at International SOS and Control Risks commented: "It is essential for decision-makers to have a reliable source of objective information to help them implement travel risk policies and individual travel plans. The extent of the preparation and support employees need could be determined either by medical or security risks, or by a combination of both. Companies need to take a comprehensive view when preparing their employees for travel and assignments abroad."

"Events of 2016 have resulted in a sense of increasing challenges in travel to places once thought secure. While risks are changing, organizations must ensure their actions to mitigate those changes are proportionate, and based on reality and not perception.  Issues like healthcare provision and road safety, which account for over 70% of the assistance services we have provided in the past year, can often be obscured by more prominent, but less likely issues.  With many organizations increasing their business travel activity, it is essential for decision-makers to be able to communicate that objective advice to their people, including in an actual crisis."

"Keeping informed and taking into account all risk factors will enable business travel to proceed successfully, resulting in a protected workforce and business continuity."

The Travel Risk Map 2017 is launched alongside a comprehensive Ipsos MORI survey of over 1,000 business decision-makers, responsible for their organisation's travel risk mitigation in 75 countries, representing in excess of 500,000 travelers globally.

Organizations Challenged to Take Control
Despite an increased perception of risk (72% of respondents), 44% reported a rise in business travel activity in the past year and over half expect further increase in 2017. 

• 80% of organizations modified travel itineraries in the past year due to health and security concerns.
• Almost half of respondents (48%) say their organizations investment in travel risk mitigation has increased over the past year, and 47% believe this will increase further in the coming year.  The top risk mitigation activities were:

• Business decision-makers report the greatest challenges in mitigating travel risks are:

Security Risks Higher on the Corporate Agenda than Healthcare
Dominating concerns on a global level are potential terror attacks (71%), followed by the Zika virus (49%) and civil unrest (46%), with inadequate healthcare and road accidents both at 15%.  However, these lesser considered, but more common, issues should also be taken seriously.

Dr Irene Lai, Medical Director of Information and Analysis for International SOS, said: "It is vital for companies to familiarise themselves and their travelers with the health risks associated with travel and take measures to reduce those risks.  While the Zika virus has had extensive media coverage this year, common medical issues which don't make the headlines, such as traveller's gastric issues or running out of regular medication, are more likely and can destroy a business trip."

"Road accidents are also a major issue and one of the top five causes of medical evacuation. A number of countries showed significant improvement in deaths from road accidents in the past year, but organizations should be mindful that they remain a common major risk."

Respondents take the following actions to mitigate risk when they travel:

Rob Walker concludes, "Travelers are much less likely to encounter unexpected or avoidable problems if they plan ahead. Using objective advice to prepare travelers, and by staying up to date on any changes and how they might affect plans, will further reduce, both the likelihood of people experiencing problems, and the extent of the impact."

International SOS and Control Risks will host webinars based on the key global issues and emerging trends in December 2016. The webinars are open to the public and you can register here.

Learn more about Travel Risk Map 2017 and view the map online at https://www.internationalsos.com/travelriskmap. An interactive digital version is also available. Features include drill-down capabilities to see specific zones within countries that have a higher travel security risk rating, and city/country search functionality. The interactive map is freely available to clients and media to embed in their websites to share the information and educate travelers.

About International SOS and Control Risks
Our alliance brings together two of the world's leading medical and security specialists, International SOS and Control Risks. Our combined resources and expertise are well placed to meet the customers' growing need for integrated travel security risk services. Our solutions ensure that mobile employees are safe and productive and help employers with their duty of care obligations. 50 dedicated experts, located across the globe with access to over 200 dedicated travel security experts through 27 regional assistance centres and a partner network of over 700 accredited providers, produce global travel security information and analysis 24/7. We also provide travel security training, preventative travel assessment, support with the development of travel security risk policies, evacuation plans and the latest technology to enable clients to track and communicate with their mobile employees.

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SOURCE International SOS