Author: Stephen Knight, CEO of UTC.travel

With 76% of employees reporting moderate-to-high levels of stress*, employers are acutely aware of the pressures facing their personnel and the potentially negative impacts. And with the backdrop of the UK’s well documented productivity challenges, maintaining an engaged and supported workforce has never been more important. What’s more, in today’s challenging business environment, attracting the right people has never been more difficult. So, what can employers do to both positively retain team members and encourage the best people to join? We’d suggest travel is key.

Brits love to travel

According to YouGov, more than a quarter of Brits (26%) say that travel has become more important to them since the pandemic, rising to 38% among those aged 18-24 and 42% among those aged 25-34. Whether a weekend break or a family beach holiday, getting away and spending time with those that matter is an important driver of good mental wellbeing.

But travel costs are rising

Problem is, at a time when we could all do with a break the cost of travel is rising rapidly, making it harder to get away and make the most of that valuable time off. Indeed, flight and hotel costs are predicted rise by more than 8% next year. All of which means, your teams are going to be less able to take those valuable trips and return re-charged and ready to deliver.

Travel as a key employee benefit

So, in this context, we believe that travel can be a compelling employee benefit. By helping to support teams with their travel costs, employers are creating a win/win. Ensuring better workplace wellbeing and putting value back into employee pockets, without putting extra inflationary pressure on the bottom line.

The question is, how to offer travel benefits in a way that works for all and isn’t simply £100 off at a singular travel agent?  To ensure that everyone has the maximum choice and the maximum saving?

Removing the restrictions of old travel rewards

UTC.travel is a fresh way to offer employees the benefits of amazing travel savings.  Members get access to travel at trade prices, saving up to 40%. For a small fee per team members, employers can give their teams access to 365 savings on hotels, packages, insurance, attractions, car hire and much more.  As well as a host of UK-based benefits, including discounts at restaurants, attractions, cinemas and theatres.

With access to over 1.5 million hotels worldwide, there’s no restrictions on choice. In fact, for employers without a dedicated corporate travel supplier, UTC.travel is also a fantastic solution for savings when travelling for work. Right now, we believe travel is a key employee benefit and we’re confident the UTC.travel model offers a modern way to make travel relevant for all team members.  As well as making commercial sense.

Membership benefits include:

• Travel at trade prices
• Best price guaranteed – if you can find cheaper, they will match it*
• Over 1.5million hotels worldwide
• Clear Member and Non-member rates
• UTC Itinerary builder – which allows you to build your own itinerary in real time for a single or multiple destination
• All packages are protected by ATOL**
• Book travel and ticketing for sports and music Events
• Book Car Hire in 190 countries
• Book discounted travel Insurance through their insurance provider
• Book weekend breaks
• UK and overseas hotels
• Add themed activities like food & wine tours to your break
• Search the cost of hotels and other travel related products in local currency
• Gourmet Society benefits included, with year-round discounts at restaurants, attractions, cinema and theatres
• A range of payment options including PayPal and most major credit cards