On the one hand, China is reopening its borders to international travellers, while on the other, the abandonment of the zero covid policy is leading to a spectacular rebound in the pandemic. Could the health situation in China have a significant new impact on travel?
Xavier Carn - Reopening borders marks a turning point in the zero covid policy hitherto implemented by China. On the one hand, the removal of these highly restrictive rules should boost international travel to and from the Middle Kingdom. It should also make it easier for international companies operating in China to recruit and rotate expatriates, a major issue since the summer of 2020. But, on the other hand, the very significant resurgence of the epidemic risks prolonging the hysterical effect on the timid resumption of travel. Firstly, because some countries - Italy and Spain - have decided to apply health controls to travellers from China, FranceIsrael and India in particular - but without much consultation. Secondly, because the impact of the epidemic in China is very significant. Medical infrastructures are under strain and can make it difficult to plan a trip or mission to China if health conditions or medical care are not met. In this context, International SOS's mission is to advise its clients and prepare all treatment plans, whatever the pathology that cannot be treated due to overcrowded hospitals. Finally, the emergence of new variants remains a major point of vigilance, given the low level of immunisation and vaccination among the population. This could jeopardise the recovery. Here again, it is our role to monitor these developments at a global level.
Ukraine, Sahel, crime in Latin America: the main risk areas for travellers' safety identified by International SOS for 2023 should come as no surprise. In which regions of the world are they increasing?
Xavier Carn - In Europe, despite the considerable impact of the conflict in Ukraine, and the rise in tensions linked to the cost of living, there has been little change in the security environment. Africa, the most notable change is in the SahelThere is also the situation in Mozambique, which continues to deteriorate under pressure from radical Islamic terrorist groups. There is also the situation in Mozambique, which continues to deteriorate under the pressure of radical Islamist terrorist groups. In Latin America, the country most affected by an increase in crime is Colombia, which has been deeply scarred by the socio-economic impact of Covid.
Are there any less identifiable events this year that require a degree of vigilance on the part of companies? Is the current economic climate increasing the risks, both in terms of crime and disruption to business travel?
Xavier Carn - Less obvious events include the rising social costs and its consequences, the failure to resolve latent political or economic problems, or the volatility of energy or agricultural prices. The countries most affected by national fault lines - social unrest, outbreaks of violence, rising crime - are located in in Western Europe and the United States. At the same time, the rise in violence linked to the lack of social progress in resolving political or economic problems can be seen above all in countries in South Asia, notably Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as in Iraq, Peru and Ecuador. As for the volatility of energy and agricultural markets, this is having a major impact on regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt and Lebanon.
At a time when the cost of travel is rising, how can companies reconcile budget control with the well-being of their travellers?
Xavier Carn - Business travel remains essential to a company's growth and success. However, the motivation for a trip, the financial responsibility of authorising it and the act of travelling itself are much more considered. In view of the the changing nature of travel restrictions which continue to apply in some parts of the world, and in the face of the current vagaries of air travel - whether rising fuel costs, staff shortages or cumbersome controls - the impression is that people are travelling for better reasons. And that, as a result, preparation and taking preventive measures before travelling are felt to be more necessary than ever.
Your 2023 risk map includes mental health risks for the first time. Why has this issue taken on greater importance?
Xavier Carn - By adding to our traditional "safety and health" risk mapping data on employees' mental health, we are following a trend observed during the pandemic: namely a 25% increase in psychological and mental problems such as anxiety and depression. In our survey, the responses highlighted the impact that the current global crises are having on mental health and productivity. We're talking about a trillion dollars lost due to mental problems affecting employees! Training and development in this area are not enough, nor is support for those affected: the focus must also be on prevention.
Are changing working habits, and in particular the rise of teleworking, prompting companies to take an even greater interest in the well-being of their employees?
Xavier Carn - Hybrid working has been in place for many months now, sometimes at a rapid pace, so we can now take a step back. We're beginning to get a clearer picture of managerial situations, as well as the functions and types of people for whom teleworking is particularly suitable. Nevertheless, questions remain about the experiences and feelings of these employees, as well as about how hybrid working is managed by companies. Undoubtedly, the latter stand to gain These include attracting talent and their retention. However, we still need to anticipate the long-term side effects and to finding appropriate responses to the potential pitfalls of hybrid working. This will involve setting up health programmes, monitoring employees who have to travel frequently, such as "comuting" between the provinces and the company's head office, as well as monitoring managerial situations that can be sources of stress, and guaranteeing the right to disconnect. It is now necessary to put in place tools to ensure this long-term monitoring, which is not provided by occupational health services.
