While many businesses are rethinking the value of in-person trips and meetings, these excursions still offer significant benefits when leveraged effectively.

Travel has long been a cornerstone of the corporate world, once serving as the primary way to connect face-to-face with clients, colleagues, and industry peers. With the convenience of virtual communication, however, you may be wondering whether it still holds value for your company. This guide explores a few of the key benefits and challenges of work-related trips, helping you assess how they can best serve your enterprise in today’s dynamic landscape.

Business travel advantages

From bringing remote employees together to attending industryspecific events, there are many compelling reasons to engage in business beyond your company’s physical walls. In fact, research shows that businesses with a strong travel culture often reap significant rewards, fostering growth and development at both the organizational and individual levels.

Personal interaction
Sometimes, there’s no substitute for being there in person. Good communication depends on not only the words said but also the delivery, with tone, facial expressions, and body language significantly enhancing clarity and impact. While video calls capture some of this, face-to-face meetings can go much further in amplifying engagement and building trust, in turn improving negotiation and dealmaking and strengthening relationships overall. Consider this scenario: you’re trying to land a major investor and are having trouble closing the deal. It may be worth getting together with them in the same room for at least one meeting to allow them to see, touch, and experience your product firsthand rather than simply through a screen, potentially making them more comfortable offering financing.

Additionally, while remote teamwork can be very effective with the right protocols, uniting employees in the same location—such as at a company retreat before an important project—can help facilitate real-time collaboration on conceptual and creative tasks. With everyone building on each other’s ideas, there’s no telling what exciting new solutions may emerge to boost your bottom line.

Networking

Conferences and trade shows are a driving factor of business travel—and for good reason. These gatherings can provide executives and employees alike unique opportunities to network with a wide range of industry peers and potential clients, all within a short time frame. This could involve setting up a booth to promote and sell your products or services, having your leaders give presentations on relevant topics, or even simply mingling during meals and other social events. On top of the chance to build relationships, attending such events may also expand your and your team’s knowledge of key research and industry trends. Plus, if you don’t prioritize them, your business may simply be left behind; according to a 2023 Deloitte survey, 60 percent of corporate travelers planned to attend at least one conference in 2024, underscoring the competitive edge these functions offer.

Expanded reach

When it comes to venturing into new geographical markets and gaining a deeper understanding of local dynamics, business travel can play a crucial role. Though remote research may provide actionable insights, it often lacks the nuance that comes from direct, on-the-ground experience. For example, if you’re planning to expand your company into a new state, traveling there in person—or sending your team—can give you a direct look at the area’s business climate and general culture that a detailed spreadsheet alone might not capture. This is especially important should you be looking to open a storefront. Getting a close-up look at local foot traffic, neighboring shops, and more may be the best way to make informed decisions about which location to select or how much square footage to rent.

Disadvantages of business travel

As beneficial as business travel can be, it also carries potential downsides for you, your employees, and your organization. Thoughtfully considering these factors can help ensure that you put your resources to good use and make the most of the opportunities it brings.

Costs
Expenses such as flights, accommodations, meals, ground transportation, and fees can add up quickly—per the GBTA 2024 Business Travel Index Outlook, individuals traveling for business spend about $834 on average per trip. In addition to the direct costs, work trips can take you and your employees away from your regular duties for extended periods, which can lead to delays in project timelines and hinder opportunities for inoffice collaboration. To mitigate some of these challenges, you’ll have to plan strategically, including by establishing a companywide travel budget and setting clear objectives for each trip.

Physical or mental fatigue
Beyond the financial cost, time on the road can be physically and mentally exhausting. Time zone changes may disrupt sleep patterns, while breaks in routine and unexpected travel delays can promote stress. If you do decide to implement more business travel, create policies to help combat potential burnout, such as by capping the number of trips an employee can take per month or quarter and offering a day of PTO after an extended one to give them time to recover.

Ultimately, how worthwhile and effective travel is for your organization will depend on your overall goals and priorities. But if you establish clear objectives— whether they include expanding your client base, investing in professional development, or building connections—you can maximize its impact and better ensure a strong return on your investment.

TAKE ACTION:
Evaluate your company’s upcoming travel options, weighing the resources required against potential ROI.