Travel security​

It's almost official. From 1 July, French citizens travelling to Vietnam will no longer need a visa for stays of up to 14 days.

As the ten nations of ASEAN* (Association of South East Asian Nations) enter the home straight that will lead them at the end of December to form the new AEC (ASEAN Economic Community), the question has been raised for several years as to whether it is necessary to create a common visa, along the lines of the Schengen visa offered to non-EU citizens visiting the old continent.

On Thursday, Concur and Anticip formalised a technological partnership aimed at tracking international business trips and guaranteeing their security.

New sources of growth in emerging countries are prompting companies to send increasing numbers of employees to sensitive regions. To meet their obligation to provide information and assistance, risk managers are refining their tools and partner networks.

American Express has just officially launched its AX Connect solution on the French market, a new assistance tool enabling companies to locate, communicate with and provide assistance to their business travellers throughout their business trip. Interview with Nicolas Buc Vice-President, New Product Development, American Express Business Travel.

International SOS will be celebrating its thirtieth anniversary next year, against a backdrop of growing demand for health and safety assistance solutions dedicated to business travellers. As part of their duty to protect, companies of all sizes are now turning to the technological solutions and human expertise of assistance providers such as International SOS. Dr Arnaud Derossi, Regional Medical Director, Assistance and Aviation for the CEMA zone, looks at the challenges and changes in the profession, linked to new forms of business travel and ever more advanced technological solutions. Interview.

For the 4^th his year, International SOS has published its HealthMap 2013: a particularly useful document for companies that can better identify the health risks to which their business travellers are exposed, and put in place appropriate measures.

The world's fifth-largest listed integrated oil company, Total is present in more than 130 countries and employs nearly 93,000 people. In 2010, its turnover reached 159.3 billion euros. We talk to Dr Jean-Pierre Gardair, from the Group's International Medical Department (DMI), about its assistance cover.

According to a study published on 31 January by International SOS, companies are not yet fully aware of the need to manage the risks associated with business travel. At the same time, the health and safety risk management specialist identifies the best practices to be integrated into companies to anticipate crisis situations.

Faced with the current global geopolitical instability and the increase in international risks, companies have a legal and moral obligation to cover their travellers. Specific solutions are available to meet their needs.

Specialising in logistics, storage, warehousing and transport, the FM Logistic group has sales of €870 million.