Why corporate travel wellness should be part of your duty of care

Business travel is back—and busier than ever. While companies are eager to reconnect face-to-face, there’s an urgent question that needs answering: Are you taking care of your travelers as well as you could be? 

At 1000 Mile Travel Group, we believe wellness should be a core pillar of your corporate travel program—not just a side benefit. When employee well-being is prioritized, everyone wins: your people feel valued, and your company sees higher productivity, stronger retention, and fewer risks. 

Let’s explore how wellness fits into modern duty of care—and why your travel policy needs a refresh. 

The post-pandemic business traveler is exhausted

The data is clear: travel volumes are rising, but so is travel fatigue. 

According to World Travel Protection, more than 54% of U.S. business travelers are taking more trips than they did last year, often with tightly packed itineraries, long-haul flights, and minimal recovery time. This “do more with less” culture is leading to poor sleep, high stress, and weakened immune systems—conditions that can affect mental health and long-term performance. 

What’s more, Travel Daily Media reports that only 36% of companies prioritize traveler well-being in their programs—despite it being one of the leading contributors to burnout in global teams. 

What Is Duty of Care—and how has it evolved?

Duty of care refers to a company’s legal and moral responsibility to protect the health, safety, and well-being of its employees—especially during business travel. Traditionally, this has meant ensuring safe flights, secure hotels, and emergency support. 

But today, employees expect more. The modern workforce wants—and needs—a travel policy that accounts for mental, physical, and emotional wellness. That means building in rest, recovery, and smarter scheduling, not just ensuring a traveler has a place to sleep. 

Wellness is a business strategy—Not a bonus

Corporate travel may be bouncing back, but so is traveler fatigue. According to Deloitte’s most recent research, 55% of business travelers list fatigue as their top complaint, and many report lower engagement and productivity after frequent travel. Meanwhile, in Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends survey, a staggering 94% of executives agreed that employee well-being directly drives organizational performance. 

The message is clear: supporting traveler wellness isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a business imperative. When companies fail to prioritize well-being, they risk burnout, absenteeism, and disengagement. But with the right policies and planning, corporate travel can become a tool for connection and growth, not exhaustion. 

What a wellness-integrated travel program looks like

A proactive travel wellness strategy isn’t about perks—it’s about protecting people. Here’s how you can start weaving wellness into your corporate travel policy: 

1. Build in recovery time

Avoid scheduling back-to-back meetings the day your traveler arrives. Include buffer time for sleep, exercise, or meals—especially after red-eye or long-haul flights. 

2. Prioritize quality accommodation

Choose hotels with wellness amenities like gyms, healthy food options, or even quiet zones. Don’t just go for the cheapest room—go for the one that helps your team perform at their best. 

3. Offer flexibility where possible

Let employees extend work trips for personal travel or remote work. According to an IHG x YouGov study, 66% of workers who blend business and leisure travel report better stress management and work-life balance. 

4. Rethink the ‘always-on’ mindset

Encourage travelers to unplug outside of working hours. Use scheduling tools and travel platforms that prevent 24/7 notifications while on the road. 

5. Provide traveler support tools

Offer access to wellness apps, virtual GP services, stress-reduction resources, and concierge-style assistance for travel disruptions. These small tools go a long way in building confidence and safety. 

Leading with care in 2025 and beyond

The way we travel for work has changed—and so must our duty of care. Companies that embrace a holistic approach to corporate travel wellness will not only protect their teams but position themselves as forward-thinking, employee-first brands. 

At 1000 Mile Travel Group, we help businesses evolve their travel programs with care, strategy, and support. From itinerary design to post-trip follow-ups, we’re redefining what travel wellness looks like—and making it easier for you to do the same.