Bill Gates talks about post-pandemic business travel

Does his predictions make sense?

Microsoft millionaire and co-founder Bill Gates predicted on a radio show that once the pandemic is over, up to half the journeys will take place. Suddenly, a heartbreaking shiver approached all the agents of the tourism sector. No one could believe it, he had just sentenced to death to the most damaged industry in this health crisis.

And Gates, kept scaring tourism on Rashida Jones’ radio show, saying “My prediction would be that over 50% of business travel and over 30% of the days in the office will go away”. To all this, he added that in addition to the work crisis, the drop in business travel could worsen the airline industry, plunged into a drop in revenue from low air traffic. The air sector, immersed in emergency bailouts, mergers and financial reorganizations, was hit by the news like a bucket of cold water.

And after his devastating comments, a small spark of light enlightened the travel industry. Gates was very clear that his predictions were tight to a very specific timeframe as he commented once the mass distribution of the vaccine begins, business trips will make rebound. Virtual conferences and meetings have their limitations and even if there are a few days that we don’t go to the office, face-to-face meetings after so many months are more necessary than ever. Business structures and their teams have been completely disconnected and isolated. The reconnection and recovery of business travel according to Gates will come back the second half of next year.

We will take off again and the skies will be filled again with commercial flights full of passengers with businesses to close, dreams of reconnecting with their teams and a lot of face-to-face work to retake. If you want to know more download here the report issued by GBTA (Global Business Travel Association).