Mindful of mental health
Business Traveller UK|September 2022
As business travel begins its recovery, duty-of-care is more important than ever
HANNAH BRANDLER
Mindful of mental health

The physical impacts of the Covid-19 virus are well-known but, by contrast, the mental toll is much more difficult to measure. For business travellers, while it’s certainly good news that travel is returning, it’s a different world with airport disruption, lost luggage, delayed or cancelled flights and complicated paperwork. Considered against a background where the pandemic triggered a 25 per cent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is hardly surprising that anxieties exacerbated by the danger of the virus, and uncertainty from ever-changing rules and regulations, might cause problems. Here, we explore how travellers can best readjust and recover after a turbulent two years.

Emerging from a crisis

“Mental health and mental resilience are the biggest challenges for an organisation managing the return to travel,” explains Peter Jenkins, general manager – Northern Europe, for health and security company International SOS. We were speaking at the Business Travel Show Europe in June, an annual industry event held at London’s Excel. The face-to-face nature of the event, which attracted more than 2,600 visitors, seemed like a return to normality and its significance wasn’t lost on either of us.

Although Covid-related restrictions were officially lifted in February, large-scale events such as this still feel unfamiliar and remain daunting to some, especially as Covid-19 continues to be a problem in the UK.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS TRAVELLER UKView all
The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys
Business Traveller UK

The rail thing - Why airlines and train companies are partnering to increase options for travellers on short journeys

An intercity flight connection operated by train would have been almost unthinkable in the early 1990s, but in 2024 it will increasingly be the default experience at many European hub airports. European nations have been among the world's leaders in adopting high-speed rail for short-distance trips, along with Asian countries such as Japan and China.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun
Business Traveller UK

Adventures in Albania - From paranoid dictatorship to dream travel destination, why the Balkan nation is ready for its moment in the sun

Over the past few years, tourism has shot up stratospherically; recent figures from the European Travel Commission show it's grown 86 per cent since 2019. Its GDP per capita has also been increasing, and last year stood at US$8,800, while the average monthly salary is now around 84,000 lek (£704). Foreign direct investment is also on the rise, with countries including Switzerland, Italy, and the Netherlands targeting sectors such as energy, mining, information and real estate to a value of around US$1.5 billion in 2022, according to UNCTAD's World Investment Report. Not bad for a country which used to depend on foreign food aid.

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2024
Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London
Business Traveller UK

Sushi Kanesaka at 45 Park Lane, London

Watching Kanesaka work his magic is performance in itself

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen
Business Traveller UK

Scandic Spectrum, Copenhagen

An impressive corporate hotel just minutes from Copenhagen's centre

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester
Business Traveller UK

Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester

The perfect mix of gorgeous heritage design with cool, cosmopolitan attitude

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
Business Traveller UK

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London

A stunning success another calming experience in the capital

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS
Business Traveller UK

Eurostar Business Premier LONDON-PARIS

It remains the superior service for those travelling from London to Paris

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG
Business Traveller UK

Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER first class DOHA-HONG KONG

There is a lot to like, but my experience was far from perfect

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
4 HOURS IN...Vienna
Business Traveller UK

4 HOURS IN...Vienna

You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to the Austrian capital's museums, galleries and historic cafes

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY
Business Traveller UK

SWITCHING OFF IN...THE LOIRE VALLEY

Escape to the secluded forests of the Loire Valley for a digital detox

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024