55% of Spanish companies lack a travel security policy

Travel risk management, a pending issue for Spanish companies. More than half of them do not have a security policy for their corporate travel. The challenge for general management is to develop a comprehensive travel management system, according to a study carried out by Gebta España in collaboration with Healix and AON.

The main conclusion of the study “Gestión y seguridad en los viajes de empresa en España”, is that it is more necessary than ever that corporations have clear and adapted travel policies to the current scenarios in terms of security and assistance;It is more necessary than ever that corporations have clear travel policies adapted to the current security and assistance scenarios, taking into account the high dynamism and level of internationalization of Spanish companies, as well as a more unstable global context.

Data obtained by Gebta shows that 55% of companies have not yet defined a security policy for their corporate travel. The convenience of opting for this type of measures does not derive solely from circumstantial reasons, but also has legal grounds, insofar as the employer's duty of protection extends to its employees when they work, reside (abroad) or travel within the framework of their work responsibilities.

It is also noted that 61% of companies do not have an up-to-date alert system to detect employee problems in the territory where they are located, or that úOnly 41% have provisions for the repatriation of travelers in their security policy. In addition, 54% of companies do not have crisis or emergency plans for accidents, kidnappings or deaths of their employees.

The implementation of travel policies that incorporate the best practices in terms of security is essential to minimize the incidents that every trip and travel are associated with and to be consistent with the CSR policies, as well as to avoid expenses derived from indemnifications, claims or legal sanctions.

Business travel is a cross-cutting activity, since it has an impact on practically all areas of organizations. In recent years, however, the ultimate responsibility for travel policies has fallen mainly on the finance and purchasing departments, which have given corporate policies a clear economic bias, mainly associated with obtaining savings.

Among the areas for improvement, Gebta highlights the need to expand awareness of the employer's duty to protect travelers; ensuring the traceability of travelers, linked to the increasing mobility and complexity of travel; the adaptation of insurance, coverage and levels of assistance to the specific case of each organization; or the application of international regulations.

The study also recommends making travel policies more global and participatory in their approach and vision, in order to eliminate any gaps or overlaps of competence in the management of travelers and to ensure the best possible practices in terms of security and assistance. This challenge is undoubtedly also a new competence that must be supervised by the company's general management.