How Four Seasons Hotels Use Travel To Improve Company Culture

After several years of stagnation, travel for business or pleasure is rebounding in a big way, and in some instances they are converging. As travel restrictions are lifted around the world, businesses are seeing an opportunity to free remote workers from their home offices, uniting staff after two years of virtual work, lack of connection and an inability to meet face-to-face. In fact, there’s even an accelerated push towards employees “taking an extra night” on business trips, allowing them to connect with colleagues they may not have met, take more time to explore the destination or even indulge in an added day of rest before another day of travel.

It’s clear that the concept of a "work reunion" has become a differentiator for companies to become an employer of choice and bring people back together. As employees re-enter the world of traveling for business, the following are top of mind:

• More boundaries: While workers have a high level of enthusiasm for business travel again, they are reappraising and reevaluating it, as there is no desire to return to the old road warrior days.
• Better balance: While work will likely be at the center of most of these reunions, business travel is now viewed as part of self-care and work-life balance.
• Higher expectations: Employers are expected to allow employees to “take an extra night” and offer some personal experiences as part of a successful trip.
• Re-connection: Reunions will build in more time for employees to connect face-to-face, after not seeing each other for more than two years, or meeting new colleagues who may have started during the pandemic.