When disruption strikes, business travellers need more than a booking platform – they need expert support, proactive communication, and someone fighting their corner.
Recent political unrest in the Middle East created significant uncertainty for travellers, with airspace closures, flight cancellations, and rapidly changing travel conditions. For Travel Counsellor Sorrel Ashton, it meant stepping into crisis-management mode to support a group of senior executives stranded overseas.
Her experience highlights the value of having a dedicated travel partner when business travel plans are thrown into disarray.
Sorrel was supporting a group of ten board members travelling in Dubai when the situation escalated.
As reports emerged and tensions increased, the executives found themselves far from home, uncertain about how and when they would be able to return.
"I was getting pictures on a Saturday of smoke rising out of buildings, which is exceptionally distressing," says Sorrel. "They were all away from their families. The main concern was, when are we going to be able to get home and see our families?"
For Sorrel, the most rewarding moment came after the travellers had returned safely to the UK.
One executive was able to surprise his daughter during school pick-up after arriving home earlier than expected.
"The daughter ran into his arms. It was just the most adorable thing," says Sorrel. "It's just really nice to be able to get customers home and to their families."
Moments like these underline the importance of duty of care in business travel and the role that expert travel support can play when circumstances change unexpectedly.
Sorrel is also quick to recognise the wider Travel Counsellors community that helped her support clients throughout evolving situation, saying: “"I couldn't have done this without my other Travel Counsellors."
And it’s the collaborative way of working that ultimately benefits clients. "The culture of care at Travel Counsellors is all about support and being personal. Thanks to the support of head office and fellow business owners, I was able to help my clients through a really challenging situation”, Sorrel said.
Political unrest, severe weather, airline disruption and other unforeseen events can have a significant impact on business travellers.
When they do, organisations need confidence that their people are supported wherever they are in the world.
At Travel Counsellors for Business, our clients benefit from:
A dedicated Travel Counsellor who knows their business and travellers
Proactive disruption management and traveller support
24/7 assistance during emergencies
Expert guidance when plans need to change quickly
A strong duty of care focus that puts wellbeing first
As Sorrel's experience demonstrates, when disruption occurs, having the right travel partner can make all the difference.
Speak to our team today to find out how Travel Counsellors for Business can help you protect your travellers, reduce disruption and keep business moving. And, don’t forget to take our free Travel Resilience Check to see how robust your travel programme really is when things don’t go according to plan.
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