A survey of just over 1,000 frequent business travellers has found 64% enjoy their jobs less when they are not traveling.

The survey found 48% are even considering a change in profession as a result of not being able to travel due to the pandemic.

Among those who travel every day, this figure jumps to 79%.

The US poll, conducted by Censuswide in partnership with PromoLeaf, a specialist in promotional products, also found:

• 98% of frequent travellers said they miss something about business travel

• 40% said they were suffering a lack of motivation at work related to lack of business travel, 36% cited a lack of productivity and 35% said worsened mental health

• one of the things travellers miss the most are the human connections they make, with 45% saying they’ve missed 10 trips or more and an average of seven connections per trip.

• 24% felt their relationship with their partner had been negatively impacted by not being able to travel, perhaps proving the old adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder. 

Contributing to the survey, Nick Brennan, Founder & CEO of My UK Sim Card, said: “I’m certain that businesses will be resistant to having staff travel just for a meeting, and that’s it. Meetings can take place on Zoom, without the costs of travel, and without having the staff member away from the office.

“However, not all meetings are just meetings. Many involve wining and dining as the meeting itself, or involve this after the meeting to develop relationships: for meetings like this, things will return to full normality.”