I recently joined other travel industry professionals at the Forum of Expatriate Management – EMEA summit in London. This conference provides valuable insights into how the travel industry can navigate current challenges and seize new opportunities; focusing on technological travel advances, the global mobility sustainability agenda, and the influence of geopolitics on corporate travel and relocation, among other topics.
Read on for my 5 must-know takeaways from the summit:
E-Visas:
“To avoid travel disruptions, get ahead of the expiration date for E-Visa applications”
Session:
The Tech-driven Future of Mobility
Speaker:
- Charlotte Wills (Fragomen Partner)
- Harry Goldstraw (Fragomen Manager)
- Kelly Chua (Fragomen Director)
Fragomen highlights the importance of getting ahead of the expiration date for E-Visa applications, which is the 31st of December 2024.
With the digital Visa rollout in full swing, two key systems are coming into play. The EU is modernising entry processes by introducing the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
The EES harnesses biometric data to monitor the influx of non-EU citizens into the Schengen area, an area of 29 European countries with abolished border controls. These passengers will be made to create a digital record upon arrival in the Schengen area, submitting fingerprints and having a photo taken, instead of having their passports stamped. The panel warn for the potential for longer wait times if enforced, stressing the importance of planning ahead.
This EES is part of a wider border security overhaul by the European Union, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to come into play at the beginning of 2025. Visa-exempt countries will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation in advance, submitting personal details and paying a 7 Euro application fee.
Middle East Developments – Saudi Arabia:
“A new phase of development within the Middle East, sees opportunities for expats.”
Session:
The Tech-driven Future of Mobility by Fragomen
Speakers:
- Charlotte Wills (Fragomen Partner)
- Harry Goldstraw (Fragomen Manager)
- Kelly Chua (Fragomen Director)
Session:
All Change! 2024 is a Big Election Year – What are the Ramifications for Global Mobility - Salesforce, Localyze, Saudi Telecom, and Ericsson
Speakers:
- Christopher Henry (HR Group Affairs, Principal Expert – Talent Mobility – stc – Saudi Telecom Company)
- Hanna Marie Asmussen (Co-Founder & CEO – Localyze)
- Hiba Anver (Partner – Erickson Immigration Group)
- Laura Young (Senior Director of Global Mobility & Immigration – Salesforce)
The Middle East is developing at an unmatched pace. Saudi Arabia has been brought into focus for its transformative changes in modernising its infrastructure, diversifying its economy and addressing local employment needs.
The King Salman International Airport continues to be constructed in Riyadh, incorporating smart immigration tunnels, similar to those in Dubai, that can ease passenger flow by replacing passport stamping with full body scan searches.
The female workforce in Saudi Arabia is also spiking, generating opportunities for both local citizens and expatriates. In response to this, the country is developing its relocation resources to support the large influx of expatriates. Some of the relocation support on offer include relocation packages with housing and transport allowances, and medical insurance coverage, depending on the company.
Saudi Arabia is also attempting to diversify its economy beyond the reliance on its oil supply, investing more than $800 billion in the tourism industry, through initiatives like the Red Sea Project (a large construction project set to bring 50 hotels and over 1,000 residential properties to the area), to create a more sustainable economy. Increased leisure trips should be expected from this.
Global Mobility Sustainability Agendas:
“Sustainable initiatives have been slow on the uptake, but are predicted to pick up in the next two years”
Panel:
Taking care of Global Mobility Professionals – Santa Fe Relocation
Speakers:
- John Rason (Group Head of Consulting Services – Santa Fe Relocation)
- Julia Palmer (Chief Operating Officer, Relocation and Chief People Officer – Santa Fe Relocation)
Panel:
Reimagining Talent Mobility for All – Scania, 3Sixty, Vialto Partners, Booking.com
Speakers:
- Kabiru Onikoyi (Director, Global Services EMEA-APAC – 3Sixty)
- Maaike Van den Broek (Head of Global Mobility – Booking.com)
- Natalie Thomspon (Director, Workforce Transformation and Mobility Manages Services – Vialto Partners)
- Peter Knight (Senior Global Mobility Manager – Scania)
Despite cost, technology and compliance remaining prevalent in global mobility programmes, sustainability is beginning to take hold.
Currently, 96% of employees expect their organisations to engage in sustainable initiatives. However, 34% of companies have yet to integrate sustainability into their mobility plans. This figure is projected to decrease significantly, with only 10% of companies expected to remain without such plans within the next two years. Conversations were sparked on opportunities for waste reduction throughout the global mobility supply chain, with Santa Fe spotlighting that plastic, cardboard and paper account for a 1/3 of global solid waste, encouraging companies to review ways they can improve the environmental footprint of their travel processes.
Geopolitics and Eastern Europe:
“Significant restrictions are being imposed on employees of certain nationalities.”
Panel:
Geopolitical Aspects of Global Mobility in Central Eastern Europe - PwC
Speaker:
Dr Katarzyna Feldo (Senior Mobility Manager at PwC Central Eastern Europe - PwC
A prominent topic at this year’s summit was the impact of the current geopolitical climate on global mobility, business travel, and workforce planning. Political tensions are not only narrowing the range of destinations available for travel and relocation but are also imposing significant restrictions on employees of certain nationalities. For example, Russian employees now face limited relocation options due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In Poland, immigration processes are notably delayed as work permit, visa, and residency applications are prioritised for Ukrainian nationals.
The American General Election
“The recent presidential results may see a decline in US immigration”
Panel:
All Change! 2024 is a Big Election Year – What are the Ramifications for Global Mobility - Salesforce, Localyze, Saudi Telecom, and Ericsson
Speakers:
- Christopher Henry (HR Group Affairs, Principal Expert – Talent Mobility – stc – Saydi Telecom Company)
- Hanna Marie Asmussen (Co-Founder & CEO – Localyze)
- Hiba Anver (Partner – Erickson Immigration Group)
- Laura Young (Senior Director of Global Mobility & Immigration – Salesforce)
During the "Big Election Year" panel, Salesforce, Localyze, Saudi Telecom, and Ericsson discussed the impacts of the presidential election results on global mobility. They reflected on Trump’s previous term, during which US immigration sharply declined, prompting skilled workers to explore alternative destinations, such as Canada, which experienced a 75% increase in immigration. This shift especially affected the foreign student demographic, with US international student enrolments dropping by 5-6%, challenging talent acquisition in America's tech industry. With the US facing challenges in attracting foreign talent, companies may need to expand recruitment efforts internationally, building teams in regions with fewer immigration barriers. This could lead to more regional offices and remote work hubs outside the US.
At SilverDoor, we ensure to attend all key industry events, enabling us to stay informed and ready to address the new, and existing needs of our clients. We recently attended both the ITM Autumn and WERC Washington conferences, both of which gave us invaluable insight into the current state of global mobility. Read up on them here.
What do you think about the discussions at the FEM EMEA Summit? How do you see these trends impacting your travel management strategies? Share your experiences and insights here.
