SINGAPORE 16 December 2019:BCD Travel predicts an increasing preference for green travel asexecutives strive to achieve climate-neutral journeys.

In its new online report, How to Travel Beyond 2020, BCD Travel identifies the sustainability and mobility trends for 2020 and beyond.

Research shows that every dollar spent on business travelresults in USD12.50 in incremental revenue, and prospective clients are 50%more likely to sign a contract after an in-person meeting.

Were travelling more than ever before. The number ofinternational flights rose to 1.4 billion in 2018, two years sooner thanpredicted and the global economy is still growing, said BCD global chief operating and chiefcommercial officer, Mike Janssen. In our partnership with clients, our role isto help customers accomplish their business objectives while also providingthem with the tools and information to reduce the impact that air travel has onclimate change.

Tomorrows solutions Fortunately, the transport and mobility industry has taken on the challenge and is busy working to solve the sustainability puzzle.

Some solutions may even be available next year, predictedBCD senior director of research & innovation Miriam Moscovici. Humansmanaged to reduce extreme poverty worldwide by half over the past 20 years.

Around 80% of people worldwide now have access toelectricity, she said. If humans can achieve this, imagine what we can do fora world that wants both travel and the environment to thrive. The solution tosustainable mobility systems and fast, clean transportation could be justaround the corner.

Solutions in the pipeline

HyperloopIn theory, Hyperloop will enable people to travel between cities in aluminium pods gliding through elevated, low-friction tubes at 700 to 800 miles per hour. This zero-carbon emission form of transportation would present a realistic alternative to air travel over short distances. It also would integrate with air travel to simplify the door-to-door journey for longer trips. High-speed testing is planned for 2020, and the first launch could happen as early as 2023.

Electric-powered flightsMany aircraft manufacturing companies are already developing electric aircraft. At first, these planes would be able to travel solely on electricity no farther than the average family car.

Beyond 500 miles, they would need a mix of conventional fueland electric power. Yet even these hybrids could still deliver a big reductionin CO2 emissions. Partially or all-electric aircraft are being tested right nowand could be operational by 2022.

What can businesses and travellers do right now? Here areuseful tips on how to act now to reduce the climate impact of business trips.

Tips from BCD experts

Assess your organisations sustainability efforts with the Sustainability in Travel Self-Assessment Tool. Created by the Global Business Travel Association and BCD, it allows travel managers to measure 10 areas of travel programme sustainability to identify strengths and weaknesses. The tool provides recommendations for improvement.

Carefully consider whether meeting in person is necessary orif alternatives to air travel are available that can help you reduce your CO2emissions. Internal meetings that dont boost sales or the bottom line are agood place to start using virtual collaboration and reducing trips.

If flying is necessary, consider offsetting the impact ofyour business travel by calculating the cost of your CO2 emissions and donatingthat amount to sustainable energy projects around the globe.

Engage business travellers and raise their awareness byusing tools like TripSource to share tips on making business trips moresustainablesuch as choosing eco-label hotels, combining several appointmentson one business trip, renting electric cars or using public transportation.

What else to expect in 2020

In addition to environmentally friendly initiatives, BCD hasidentified other 2020 trends sure to affect business travel.

The continued development of autonomous cars could allow business travellers to spend their time as passengers preparing for meetings, rather than as drivers who must keep their eyes on the road.

Urban air mobility solutions like an autonomous flying taxi could truly take mobility a few levels higher and resolve increasing traffic problems. The renewed interest in space travel could lead to innovations that reduce long-haul travel time to almost a tenth. Robots popping up in airports and hotels could improve business travel experiences.

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Tips on greening travel - TTR Weekly