Business travel is essential for any organization, but it can be more complex to manage when key personnel and executives visit higher-threat regions. In these cases, whether it is due to conflict, crime, terrorism, health, or natural disasters, it’s crucial for employers to consider a journey management program.
Trends in Business Travel to Moderate-to-High Threat Areas
At Crisis24 in conjunction with the Private Strategic Group, we manage over 400 journey management operations per month. Journey management can be defined as an integrated plan to manage the health and safety of travelers who must travel for professional purposes. Through the data collected by the Crisis24 Horizon risk management platform, we are able to assess which higher-threat areas business travelers visit the most and provide actionable insight on how to plan, manage, and execute safe and successful travel in these countries.
Noteworthy Trends
- As to be expected, business travel to Ukraine and Israel has decreased in the last six months, suggesting that non-essential personnel have been removed from conflict zones. Nonetheless, travelers to these countries must be provided with a robust journey management plan.
- Business travel to Latin America is on the rise. 73% of the yearly travel to Mexico happened in the last six months, while Brazil has emerged as a top 5 destination.
- Travel to China has declined since the beginning of 2024, despite 290 trips recorded from August to December 2023.
- Finally, the Democratic Republic of Congo sees a steady flow of personnel in country with 31% of travelers in Lubumbashi.
What to Consider when Traveling to These Countries
1. Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a resource-rich country in Central Africa, but also one of the most unstable and dangerous. The country has been plagued by armed conflicts, political instability, human rights violations, and humanitarian crises for decades. Travelers face a high threat from violence, kidnapping, robbery, and extortion from various armed groups, especially in the eastern and central regions. The security situation is also volatile in the capital, where protests and clashes can occur with little warning. The country's infrastructure is poor and unreliable, and access to basic services and medical care is limited. Travelers should also be aware of the threat of infectious diseases, such as Ebola, malaria, and yellow fever.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Travelers to the Democratic Republic of Congo should have a plan that includes a pre-departure risk assessment, secure ground transportation, protective personnel, and medical assistance. They should also monitor the security situation closely and avoid non-essential travel to higher-threat areas.
2. Afghanistan
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia that has been in a state of intermittent conflict and turmoil for over 40 years. The country is effectively under Taliban control, which poses a severe threat to foreign interests and travelers. The security situation is extremely volatile and unpredictable, with frequent attacks by insurgents, terrorists, and criminal groups. Travelers face a high threat from various avenues, including kidnapping, assassination, bombing, rocket attacks, and ambushes. The country's infrastructure is severely damaged and underdeveloped, with limited access to basic services and medical care. Travelers should also be aware of the risk of landmines, unexploded ordnance, and natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
In Afghanistan, journey management plans are essential. They should include a pre-departure risk assessment, secure air transportation, armored vehicles, protective personnel, and medical evacuation. Travelers should also maintain a low profile and avoid any unnecessary movements or exposure.
3. Iraq
Iraq is a country in the Middle East that has been affected by decades of war, economic sanctions, and political instability. The country still faces a high threat from armed conflict, terrorism, civil unrest, and crime. The security situation is particularly tense in the northwestern and western regions, where the Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups remain active and pose a threat to travelers. The country's capital, Baghdad, and other major cities also experience frequent attacks by insurgents, militias, and criminals. The country's infrastructure is somewhat poor, and access to basic services and medical care is limited. Travelers should also be aware of the risk of environmental hazards, such as dust storms, floods, and heat waves.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Travelers to Iraq should plan with a pre-departure risk assessment, secure ground transportation, protective personnel, and medical assistance. They should also monitor the security situation closely and avoid non-essential travel to higher-risk areas.
4. Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America and a major regional power. The country has a diverse and rich culture but also faces significant social and economic challenges. There is a high level of crime, especially in urban areas, where travelers face a high threat from robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and violence. The country also frequently sees large protests which can result in property damage, injuries, and fatalities. The country's political situation is also polarized, with corruption scandals and public discontent frequently prompting demonstrations. The country's infrastructure is generally adequate but can vary depending on the region. Furthermore, access to basic services and medical care is generally reliable but can be affected by civil unrest. Travelers should also be aware of the risk of infectious diseases, such as yellow fever, dengue, and Zika.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Before visiting Brazil, travelers should consider a pre-departure risk assessment, secure ground transportation, and medical assistance as part of their journey management plan. They should also exercise caution and avoid traveling at night, carrying valuables, or venturing into unfamiliar or unsafe areas.
5. Russia
Russia is the largest country in the world by geographic area and a major world power. The country has a rich and diverse history and culture, but also faces significant political and economic challenges. The country is involved in a large-scale military operation in Ukraine, which has incurred hefty Western sanctions and increased geopolitical tensions. The country also faces a moderate threat from terrorism, especially from Islamist militants in the North Caucasus and other regions. The country's crime rate is moderate, but travelers should be aware of the threat from robbery, fraud, and cybercrime. The country's political situation is also authoritarian and repressive, with limited civil liberties and human rights. The country's infrastructure is generally good, although it varies depending on the region. Access to basic services and medical care is generally reliable but can be affected by weather conditions and power outages.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Travelers should exercise caution and avoid traveling to higher-threat areas, such as the border with Ukraine and the North Caucasus, as well as the Russian-occupied Crimea. In these cases, they should consider a comprehensive journey management plan that includes personal protection and secure ground transportation. They should also comply with local laws and regulations and avoid any involvement in political or social issues.
6. Indonesia
Indonesia is an archipelago in Southeast Asia. It is the world's largest Muslim-majority country and the fourth most populous state. The country has a diverse and vibrant culture, but still faces its social and economic challenges. Travelers should be cognizant of the threats from robbery, fraud, violence and terrorist attacks, especially from Islamist extremists who have targeted major cities and tourist areas. Moreover, access to basic services and medical care varies by region, and travelers should be aware of the prevalence of counterfeit drugs. Indonesia faces significant threats from natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region characterized by high volcanic and seismic activity.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
When visiting Indonesia, travelers should exercise caution and avoid higher-threat areas, such as Papua, Aceh, and Maluku. They should also comply with local laws and customs and respect religious and cultural sensitivities.
7. South Africa
South Africa is a major regional power with a rich and diverse culture. Still, it faces certain social and economic challenges. With a high level of crime, especially in urban areas, personnel in the area face a high threat from robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and violence. The country also has a high level of civil and labor unrest, which can result in property damage, injuries, and fatalities. It can also impact access to basic services and medical care. While infrastructure is generally good, it varies depending on the region.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Travelers to South Africa should have a journey management plan that includes a pre-departure risk assessment, secure ground transportation, and medical assistance. They should prepare for the threat of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.
8. Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is a country in Oceania and a former Australian colony. Its political situation is fluid and unstable, with frequent changes of leadership and government coalitions. This can result in high levels of communal unrest, of which travelers should be aware. Access to healthcare facilities is limited, particularly away from major urban centers. Natural disasters, such as landslides and earthquakes, can occur and travelers should take these into consideration.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Before traveling to Papua New Guinea, business travelers should prepare a journey management plan that includes a pre-departure risk assessment, secure air transportation, protective personnel, and medical evacuation.
9. Mexico
Mexico is a major regional power with a high level of crime, especially in areas affected by drug trafficking and cartel violence. Business travelers are at risk of being targeted in robberies, carjackings, and kidnappings.
What your Journey Management Plan Should Include:
Before sending employees to Mexico, organizations should consider a journey management plan that includes a pre-departure risk assessment, secure ground transportation, meet and greets, and personal protection. Travel to higher-threat areas on the border with the US, such as in the state of Tamaulipas, as well as other states that see elevated level of activity by drug-trafficking organizations such as, Colima, Guanajuato, and Michoacán, and, should be reconsidered, as should travel to the cities of Acapulco, Ciudad Juárez, and Tijuana.
Traveling for business can expose you to various risks and challenges, depending on the country you visit. You need to be informed of the security situation and the threat level in your destination and take steps to reduce them. Crisis24 can assist you with planning, managing, and executing safe and successful journeys in any country, thanks to our comprehensive journey management solution. Learn how we can tailor a plan for your organizations’ travel.
