SAFE BUSINESS TRAVEL WITH ARRANGEMY
Updated on 3rd June 2020
As lockdown restrictions start to ease, business travel is becoming significantly more of a talking point, with travel managers and procurers considering how to resume travel – and most importantly how to do this safely. New guidance on safe travel is emerging on a daily basis as we look, together, to overcome the impacts caused by the coronavirus. It’s very much evident that as business travel starts to return, it will remain far from normal for quite a while due to the rapidly changing circumstances and advice from our government. Whilst we collaboratively adapt to ever-changing guidelines, the top priority remains the safety of the corporate traveller.
At arrangeMY, we are fortunate to have incredible relations with suppliers who are committed to the caring of travellers during the pandemic through their return to travel. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we have been working extremely closely with both our suppliers and associations to ensure we can provide the most up to date advice to our clients as they begin to return to work. We are tremendously proud to continue our client support as their business travel begins to increase whilst ensuring their safety remains paramount above all.
‘SAFE, CLEAN AND LEGAL’ ACCREDITATION
As founding members of the HBAA, arrangeMY were consulted about a major initiative to kick start the Events, Meetings and Accommodation industry in post pandemic recovery. The ‘Safe, Clean & Legal’ accreditation is the first of its kind, offering a recognised industry standard in hygiene and cleanliness across venue and hotels. This increased level of protection seeks to drive customer confidence as travels resumes. Working in partnership with Quality in Tourism, the HBAA award this new accreditation to those venues and hotels that meet or exceed the minimum standards set across a variety of factors, which include food safety regulations and hygiene compliance all of which are of the highest importance through the coronavirus pandemic. This new accreditation gives all hotels and venues the opportunity to demonstrate their duty of care to the corporate traveller as we enter the next stages of the virus.
You can learn more about the ‘Safe, Clean and Legal’ Accreditation here:
GUIDING YOU THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS
A major obstacle for those booking travel for the first time since lockdown is knowing the restrictions in place at their desired destination. Within the UK, the current government guidelines do permit safe travel for key workers which does includes the use of hotels & accommodation. Hotels are able to accept business under these exemptions which allow for essential workers as defined on this list whose need for accommodation is related to their work.
Government Advice on Essential Workers
As we look forward to a return to International Travel, it is clear that an even greater focus of anxiety are the guidelines permitting to International travel destinations. A very useful tool to combat these uncertainties comes in the form of an automated tool from our GDS partner Amadeus. This tool allows the booker to run through their concerns, with the latest advice readily available at their fingertips from a few simple questions. The tool is completely free of charge and thus far has proven to be invaluable when planning International travel through this uncertain period.
PIONEERING A NEW DATABASE
For many of the key workers that arrangeMY have been fortunate enough to assist during coronavirus, one key question has always been around the availability of accommodation and their suitability to their requirements. This is why arrangeMY have led the industry to create a brand new, bespoke system which will allow unprecedented access to the status of hotels. This portal has been tailored specifically with the business traveller in mind, allowing the booker to actively search by hotel, location or status to check the live status of properties instantly. Also incorporated into this system is the ability to check any restrictions or guidelines that may exist at a specific location. Where possible, a policy will be detailed alongside the hotel to again reinforce the confidence of the corporate traveller as to the actions in place to overcome the potential issues linked with coronavirus.
You can access arrangeMY’s bespoke portal free of charge below. Free access to the password is available by emailing nicks@arrangemy.com:
LIVE TRAVELLER TRACKING
One of the most crucial factors at the forefront of many companies’ minds will be the risk management of their staff when required to travel. To fulfil this duty of care, arrangeMY have the complete ability to trace the location of the traveller based on their bookings at any particular time. This allows the company to accurately respond to any coronavirus hot spots, providing live updates to their staff at any given time using our live tracker facilities. Through these uncertain times, many areas of the Country, and indeed throughout worldwide locations, are continually changing their guidelines on a very regular basis. The ability to trace the travel movements of a particular individual will therefore allow the organisation to relay advice corresponding to the latest government policies with ease. As ever, arrangeMY have the full capability to provide traveller reports which further strengthens the ability to track and trace the most popular destinations booked on behalf of a company through any given time period.
REGULAR UPDATES FROM OUR SUPPLIERS
As ever, arrangeMY continue to lead the way in receiving the most up to date information directly from our suppliers to share with our clients. On a daily basis, our team are in touch with suppliers to ensure we are able to provide live updates to our clients on booking. We will ensure that all the latest policies are given to you at the time of confirming any booking with complete transparency. Overall, we are here to stand by your side as you return to travel; all whilst giving you complete confidence that you’re fully in the know with all the latest updates from our suppliers and how they are working to ensure your safety remains the top priority at all times.
To check the latest updates and to enquire about how to can help to support with your return to travel, get in touch with our friendly team on 01905 610016 or by emailing bookings@arrangemy.com and let us guide you back to safe travel. Follow us on social media for live updates as they become available:
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