Is business travel bad for your health? Our latest survey is here
Find out how business travel can impact the mental and physical wellbeing of business travelers with our latest survey.
In today’s corporate world, travelling for business is a common requirement. Business travel can have many benefits, such as fostering global connections, networking and new business opportunities. In fact, 87% of employees think it’s important to company growth. But what is the impact of frequent travel on a business traveler’s health?
In this article we explore how business travel impacts business travelers’ mental and physical wellbeing. Our latest survey shows that business travel positively impacts 52% of business travelers’ wellbeing and 46% of their physical health. We also explore how that differs between generations and between international and domestic travelers, as well as the main strategies for preserving one’s wellbeing on the road.
As we live and work in an increasingly globalized world, business travel wellbeing is a topic of crucial importance for corporate travelers.
While business travel can sometimes negatively impact travelers’ mental wellbeing and physical health, studies show it can also have major positive consequences:
Our study noted that the impact of business travel on health varies across different age groups. 18-35 year-olds are more likely to experience a positive impact of business travel on their wellbeing than 36+ year-olds:
For younger professionals, business travel can offer unique career and personal growth opportunities. Being exposed to other cultures, networking with peers and experiencing different working environments can help them develop their skills and broaden their horizons. Younger professionals also tend to have fewer familial responsibilities, allowing them to travel with more peace of mind.
According to our latest data, international and domestic travelers don’t see the same benefit in business travel. International travelers are more likely to benefit from business travel than domestic travelers:
International business travelers’ wellbeing benefits more from travelling for work as being exposed to different countries, cultures and business practices can foster career and business growth. It can also help develop a more extensive professional network, which is essential in today’s globalized world.
International travel can also contribute to personal development and self-growth by helping to become more adaptable. Despite some challenges, many international business travelers find that the benefits of travelling for business outweigh the drawbacks.
Despite many travelers finding some mental and physical health benefits to travelling for business, there are still some concerns associated with corporate travel.
Here are some of the biggest concerns for business travelers:
Here are preventative measures that business travelers take to preserve their wellbeing while travelling:
Other measures that business travelers can take to stay healthy while travelling include:
While business travel can cause some health and wellbeing challenges, it usually offers significant benefits. By understanding the impact of business travel and adopting proactive measures, business travellers can make the most of their travel experience. Employers also play a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing of their employees, ensuring that the benefits of business travel outweigh the cons.
From 22 November–4 December 2023, Booking.com for Business surveyed online 502 full-time (95%) and part-time (5%) business professionals across the US who travel for business. Of this subset, 65% were male and 35% female between the ages of 18–65 years old. We included a representative mix of employees from various-sized companies, departments, industries, and job roles within their organizations.
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