Global Business Travel : Lack of accessible business travel limits career prospects for disabled workers in the UK

London, UK - 2 July 2024 - American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), a leading software and services company for travel and expense, has published research findings that reveal disabled workers in the UK still feel unable to travel on business. The 500 survey respondents cited inaccessible travel and accommodations services, a lack of knowledge about their travel needs, and prejudice towards disabled travelers as the main obstacles. As a result, many believe their professional progress is being limited.

The survey, conducted in June 2024, found that of the respondents:

• 50% have had to decline a job offer because they felt unable to fulfil travel requirements associated with the role.
• 65% feel unable to travel on business because of their disability.
• 61% have had to cancel a crucial trip because of accessibility issues.
• 63% believe able-bodied colleagues progress faster in their careers because travel is more accessible to them.
• 74% consider business travel a crucial element of career progress.
• 48% say there is a lack of understanding about their travel needs.
• 31% believe hotel accommodations are inadequate [for disabled guests].
• 37% have had disheartening travel encounters with rudeness and prejudice.

Derek Moxam, an accessibility advocate and Agent Coach at Amex GBT, said, "There are an array of career barriers facing people with disabilities, particularly as it relates to business travel and meetings attendance. I've encountered many of the challenges identified in the survey: a lack of awareness and understanding of my needs, inadequate accommodations and services, and the lack of standardization and experience between airlines, hotels, ground transport and ground services. These obstacles can be incredibly discouraging and limit our professional and personal growth."

Andrew Crawley, President, Amex GBT, said, "The statistics paint a stark picture. The benefits of business travel for both the employer and employee are clear - deals are completed more efficiently, and collaboration and networking are much more meaningful face-to-face. There are around 9.5 million people of working age with a disability in the UK, but only 5.1 million are employed¹. Employers who prioritise the needs of people with disabilities are accessing a significant talent pool that others are missing out on."

To support disabled travellers, respondents suggested improvements such as working with travel companies that have built-in accessibility support (29%), ensuring contingency plans are in place in case of disruption (27%), and providing detailed travel plans with information and pictures of accessible modifications (19%).

Nearly one in four of the working-age population are classed as disabled in the UK². To address the challenges faced by disabled travellers, Amex GBT created the first end-to-end accessibility solution of its kind to support corporate travelers with visible and invisible disabilities at every stage of their business trip. This includes onboarding, booking, trip disruption, and traveler preferences through a consolidated framework that combines service-based solutions, advocacy, and technology.

In December 2023, Amex GBT announced that IBM became the first client to launch the new solution, which includes the Travelers Requiring Specialty Assistance (TRSA) desk. The TRSA desk provides access to a specialist team of certified travel consultants who deliver an inclusive and distinguished service experience for travelers with diverse needs. Since its launch, the global accessibility solution has added Salesforce as a client and has several more Amex GBT customers in various stages of onboarding.

Moxam added, "Amex GBT's accessibility solution helps solve the challenges disabled travelers face and alleviates the coordination, finding information, ensuring that reservations are made, equipment is ready, and companions have the right paperwork across airlines, hotels and ground transportation."

Since inception, more than a dozen customers have adopted the accessibility solution into their travel programs. It is also available for Amex GBT employees.

¹https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-employment-of-disabled-people-2023/employment-of-disabled-people-2023#about-these-statistics

²https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/the-employment-of-disabled-people-2023/employment-of-disabled-people-2023#about-these-statistics

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Methodology:

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 500 professionals with a disability (visible or invisible) who might / could need to travel for work beyond their commute in the UK. The data was collected between 17.06.2024- 20.06.2024 . Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society (MRS), following both the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research) principles to ensure survey data is as representative and of the highest quality possible. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council, an association of polling organisations that encourages and promotes transparency in polling.

About American Express Global Business Travel

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is a leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events. We have built the most valuable marketplace in travel with the most comprehensive and competitive content. A choice of solutions brought to you through a powerful combination of technology and people, delivering the best experiences, proven at scale. With travel professionals and business partners in more than 140 countries, our solutions deliver savings, flexibility, and service from a brand you can trust - Amex GBT.

Visit amexglobalbusinesstravel.com for more information about Amex GBT, and follow @amexgbt on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Media contacts:

Fight or Flight:[email protected]

Taylor Aaron, Global Communications, Amex GBT

[email protected]