IN D U ST RY N EW S Risks remain to global business travel The market for global business travel, meetings and events have recovered well from the downturn caused by the pandemic but there are challenges ahead, according to a report. The 2023 Global Business Travel Forecast, produced by Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and global business travel company CWT states that the sectors have made incredible progress in recovering from one of the worst economic downturns on record. However, it says that while the overall outlook is positive there are potential risks that could frustrate recovery, largely because of geopolitical uncertainties, including the Ukraine war, continuing COVID restrictions in some markets, travel disruptions caused by staff shortages, ongoing high prices and the growing likelihood of a global recession. It added that despite the fact growth is expected in all major business travel and meetings markets in the years ahead, it was important to consider that conditions were continuing to be highly uncertain. The increasing pressure for businesses to operate sustainably and offer greener travel options, carbon footprints and environmental impact assessment is a further challenge, it added. FIDI clarifies rule on HHGs delays at Russian borders Singapore drops nonvaccinated quarantine requirement Singapores ministry of health has announced that nonvaccinated visitors can (as of August 29, 2022) enter the country without having to quarantine or test after arrival. It is part of a general easing of pandemic restrictions, which will also include dropping the wearing of face masks in public spaces, such as shopping malls and the airport. Non-vaccinated travellers will still have to test negative before departing the country, the government said, while passengers on flights to and from Singapore will need to follow the policies of individual airlines on masks. FIDI has helped clarify confusion about the legality of moving household goods across Russian borders, after concerns were raised by Affiliates and non-Affiliates about trucks being held up at the Finnish border. One non-Affiliate said one of its trucks had been delayed for 10 days on the Russian/Finnish border. The truck contained household goods (HHGs), five of which were destined for FIDI Affiliates in the Netherlands, Finland and Norway and, while HHGs are not on the EU sanctions list, individual items within the consignment are on the list. FIDI made enquiries to agents in other countries bordering Russia and found that none had encountered similar issues. One highlighted the following section of the EU sanctions ruling: The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall not apply to items which are necessary for the functioning of diplomatic and consular representations of the Union and of the Member States, including delegations, embassies and missions, or for the personal use of nationals of Member States and their immediate family members. Finnish customs eventually allowed the delayed truck to cross the border, following clarification by the countrys foreign ministry. Insurance at your fingertips www.reason-global.com Solutions outside the box 12 FF308 Dec-Jan 23 pp10-17 News.indd 12 06/12/2022 11:16