Disruption has “become the norm” for business travellers
New Zurich report finds frequent disruption, safety concerns, and rising expectations of employer support are reshaping how employees experience travel for work
‘Business Travel Outlook 2026 – How to navigate a new era of disruption’, the new report from Zurich Insurance Group, says that the reality of business travel today is “one where disruption is routine”, with 80% of respondents having experienced at least one disruption while travelling for work in 2025. More than half also faced an incident or emergency during a business trip.
The research, based on responses from 4,000 international business travellers across five continents and eight countries, found that these incidents increasingly went beyond delays and logistics. One in five travellers (20%) encountered natural disasters, geopolitical threats, or societal unrest – more than those reporting medical incidents (13%) – and 43% said they felt less safe travelling for business than they used to.
Younger travellers are particularly feeling the strain. Gen Z employees are less confident about how to respond in an emergency, more concerned about mental health while travelling, and more likely to lose belongings than older generations. They are also more likely to mix business and leisure travel, a trend that can create risks and protection gaps if policies don’t keep pace.
Need for proactive support
When it comes to business travellers’ attitudes towards their employers, 58% believe their employer could do more to ensure their safety while travelling, and 60% said they would consider leaving their job if safety wasn’t a priority.
With most respondents (81%) planning to mix business and leisure travel in 2026, the report highlights the need for clearer guidance, better preparation, and more responsive travel risk management approaches that reflect how people travel today.
“As business travel enters a new era of rapid change and greater complexity, the need for proactive support for business travellers has never been greater,” commented Cara Morton, CEO Global Businesses and Operations at Zurich. “Business leaders must invest in tailored travel protection to prioritise employee wellbeing. Taking decisive steps will help safeguard the travelling workforce, retain top talent, and strengthen organisational resilience.”
A recent World Travel Protection survey looked at the impact of business travel on employees’ mental health.