More than 250 travel buyers responded to an Association of
Corporate Travel Executives survey over the weekend to voice concern about
President Trump's immigration ban on travelers who have citizenship in Iran,
Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The ban, which evolved over the weekend to exclude permanent
U.S. residents (green card holders) from the restrictions, put a 90-day stop on
travelers from these seven nations entering the U.S. It closed U.S. borders to
all refugees from around the world for 120 days and halted immigration of
Syrian refugees indefinitely.
Thirty-nine percent of ACTE survey respondents said the
travel ban could reduce business travel for their corporations overall, while
20% say the ban already is causing problems for their travelers and programs.
Among those already experiencing difficulties, 25% worry
about all the following: traveler harassment in general, harassment of U.S.
travelers in the Middle East, uncertainty regarding green card and approved
visa credibility to enter the U.S., and limited access to prospective employees.
Seventeen percent were concerned about at least one of these outcomes.
Asked about the lasting impact of the ban, 11% project
canceled contracts between U.S. and Middle Eastern companies, 22% are concerned
about intensified threats against U.S. travelers abroad and 23% project
complications with existing travel arrangements for a significant number of
travelers.
ACTE executive director Greeley Koch said, "If there is
doubt about the validity of a visa or worry about entering the U.S. or fear of
reprisals, then business travelers will opt not to go. Companies with duty-of-care
concerns will not subject their employees to these kinds of risks. This level
of uncertainty is bad for business. The travel industry needs policy that
eliminates confusion and uncertainty. Not policy that fosters it."
In addition, Koch voiced concerned about the health of the
industry that supports business travelers. "This does have the potential
to impact airlines, hotels, restaurants, ground transportation -- all the
travel infrastructure. When corporate travel is suppressed, all of these
[players] have to shoulder the consequences."
While some of these buyer concerns are projected, a BCD Travel
spokesperson said the mega-travel agency is experiencing increased calls from
corporate buyers about the issue but has not confirmed whether travelers have
actually been impacted.
"Following Mr. Trump's executive order on immigration,
corporate travel managers have been asking what the order means for their
travelers. It's possible that some of our clients' travelers may be affected by
the immigration ban. That said, we haven't seen a significant uptick in
cancellations or rebooking requests," the spokesperson said. "We're
advising clients whose travelers may be affected to work with the appropriate
departments within their companies -- e.g., human resources, legal, etc. -- to
obtain clarification."
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Source: Business Travel News