Virtual meetings keep corporate travel at bay, say experts

 

Online communication tools have taken the lead as a replacement for corporate travel, say those in the industry. (Freepik pic)

PETALING JAYA: Despite signs of economic recovery, corporate travel in Malaysia is yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, say people in the travel industry.

Consortium of Inbound Tourism Alliance chairman Uzaidi Udanis said flight stability issues, fluctuations in demand and supply, and increased flight prices contributed to the slow recovery.

“Longer travelling times and issues like Covid-19 cases are also taken into consideration,” he told FMT.

Uzaidi added that the rise of online tools, particularly Zoom meetings, has taken the lead in replacing business travel. He predicted that more companies will rely on virtual meetings to cut costs.

However, companies have to be smart about their travel policies as “nothing beats travelling in person”, he said.

Tourism and transport consultant YS Chan said the pandemic has changed work culture and the business landscape as online communication tools now play a big part in the corporate world.

Chan added that when it comes to important business deals, people need to meet each other face-to-face as looking at a screen and hearing a voice transmitted online have limitations.

“We can gauge other people much better physically from close observation, not just their thoughts but also their feelings,” he said.

Malaysian Tourist Guides Council president Jimmy Leong, meanwhile, said that even as online communication platforms have become convenient, company managements still prefer face-to-face meetings.

“I think this momentum will catch up in about a year. We may be coming back to pre-pandemic normality,” he said.

However, Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents president Nigel Wong said corporate travel has been one of the first market segments to recover and had continued to grow post-Covid-19.

“Rapid growth is expected for this market segment as business continues to grow and expand globally.”

Malaysia recorded 26.1 million tourists in 2019, with 2.2% of travellers for business travels and 1.3% for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.

There is no official updated data for 2023 available yet. - FMT