How can UAE-based firms manage employee travel risks in an uncertain world?
In today's volatile global environment, travel risks have become a board-level concern for organisations headquartered in or operating out of the UAE and the Middle East.
Whether responding to geopolitical instability, natural disasters, health outbreaks or climate-related disruptions, businesses must remain agile and informed to safeguard their most valuable asset: their people.
Dubai and the broader UAE have long served as strategic hubs for multinational and regional companies, owing to their connectivity and business-friendly infrastructure.
As a result, many organisations here have employees regularly deployed to — or permanently based in locations with elevated risk profiles. These include areas affected by conflict, civil unrest, health crises or environmental hazards.
Sectors such as energy, construction, government services, NGOs and infrastructure development are especially prone to operating in such complex environments.
While risk is not new, the speed and interconnected nature of today's crises demand a new level of preparedness.
The UAE advantage – But no room for complacency
Being headquartered in the UAE offers undeniable benefits — political stability, rapid response infrastructure, and strong global connectivity. However, these advantages do not come for granted outside of the UAE, whereby the security context can greatly shift. It's critical for organisations to recognise that the risk does not disappear at the departure gate. The Duty of Care follows employees wherever they go, and any lapse in preparedness can have legal, financial and reputational consequences.
Thus, a holistic and proactive approach to travel risk management, one that is integrated into corporate strategy and culture, not just compliance checklists is a must.
The new geography of risks and key steps to building resilience
Today's risk landscape is no longer confined to conflict zones or politically unstable countries. Disruptions can arise suddenly, and from multiple sources: political unrest, public health emergencies, cyberattacks, or extreme weather events.
Managing travel risk effectively requires a multi-layered approach. Based on our global expertise and regional experience, here are four key pillars UAE-based organisations should focus on:
Pre-travel planning and risk assessment
Before sending staff to a new location, particularly those marked as medium to high risk—conduct thorough threat assessments, backed by intelligence from trusted sources.
Employee education and preparedness
Regular training sessions, including crisis simulations, crisis management masterclass and security awareness briefings, equip staff with the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately in dynamic environments.
Real-time monitoring and incident response
Having access to timely, verified information can be the difference between disruption and disaster. Therefore, having a system or team in place for real time monitoring and incident responses is crucial.
Post-incident recovery and policy review
Once a crisis has passed, it's vital to review and refine policies, ensuring lessons are incorporated into future planning.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to travel
Whether your teams are deployed for infrastructure projects in remote areas or executive meetings in volatile regions, having the right strategy and plan makes all the difference.
The writer is the GM Middle East, International SOS.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ARN News Center
37 minutes ago
- ARN News Center
Dubai International Chamber records 138% registration increase in H1
Dubai International Chamber has recorded a 138 per cent increase in companies under its jurisdiction in the first half of 2025, attracting a total of 143 companies. The increase included 31 multinational companies (MNCs), marking a 138 per cent increase over the 13 attracted in H1 2024. Meanwhile, 112 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) joined the Chamber during H1 2025, compared to the 47 attracted during the same period last year. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chamber, stated, 'We are making strong and steady progress in consolidating Dubai's position as the global destination of choice for foreign direct investment and a launchpad for companies targeting international growth. This momentum is fuelled by Dubai's unique competitive advantages, which include world-class infrastructure, a pro-business regulatory environment, and a strategic location connecting global markets.' He added, 'Dubai International Chamber's global network of representative offices plays a major role in attracting entrepreneurs, investors, and multinational companies. Our offices contribute to strengthening trade and investment ties with priority markets while fostering business partnerships between Dubai-based companies and their counterparts across the globe.' During the first half of 2025, Dubai International Chamber continued to advance the objectives of the Dubai Global initiative, which seeks to establish 50 international representative offices by 2030. The chamber's growing global network plays a central role in positioning Dubai as a leading international business hub, attracting foreign direct investment, and supporting the global expansion of Dubai-based companies into 30 priority markets. As part of these efforts, the chamber expanded its international presence with the opening of five new offices in Dhaka (Bangladesh), Cape Town (South Africa), Bengaluru (India), Bangkok (Thailand), and Toronto (Canada). During the first half of this year, the Chamber's representative offices organised 247 business roundtables to promote Dubai as a global business hub, attract foreign direct investments, and introduce Dubai as a launchpad for expansion into global markets. This international network serves as a strategic platform linking Dubai with global business communities. It facilitates two-way investment flows, unlocks new channels for bilateral trade, and helps companies in each market tap into the opportunities Dubai offers as a gateway to the world. The chamber's offices also play a vital role in promoting Dubai's competitive advantages as a destination for business growth and expansion. They deliver actionable market intelligence and provide tailored support for international companies seeking to establish a presence in the emirate and scale into high-potential global markets.
Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Operation Pink Diamond: Dubai Police foil $25m diamond heist
Image: Dubai Media Office The investigation revealed that the gang had been plotting the heist for over a year, targeting a diamond certified by a leading gemological institute with a unique purity rating — so rare that there is only a 0.01 per cent chance of finding another like it. The criminal scheme The suspects, all of Asian nationality, devised a sophisticated plan to deceive the diamond's owner, a jeweller, by posing as wealthy buyers interested in purchasing the gem. They rented luxury cars, held meetings at upscale hotels, and even hired a renowned diamond expert to authenticate the stone, creating the illusion of credibility and legitimacy. Their ultimate goal was to persuade the merchant to move the diamond out of his secure shop. Once the diamond was brought to a villa under the pretext of meeting the 'buyer', the gang attempted to seize it. Police foil the plot Dubai Police CID teams leveraged advanced technology to track and identify the three suspects, who initially lived together but dispersed to different locations after the heist. A specialised task force raided their locations simultaneously, apprehending the suspects and recovering the diamond before it could leave Dubai, hidden in a small refrigerator destined for an Asian country. The recovered pink diamond is classified as 'Fancy Intense', weighing 21.25 carats, with exceptional clarity, symmetry, and polish, rated excellent. Its extraordinary value and rarity made it a prime target, prompting the gang's elaborate year-long planning. Merchant praises police response The diamond's owner expressed admiration for the Dubai Police's swift and professional action. He recounted calling 999 immediately after the theft, and noted: 'Multiple patrols arrived within minutes, began the investigation, and offered constant reassurance. To my surprise, the very next morning, they called to say the suspects had been arrested and the diamond recovered.' Operating in Dubai since 2005, the merchant admitted being caught off guard by the scheme, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the emirate's safety guidelines for the diamond trade: 'Dubai has become a safe global centre for diamond trade. It's important we uphold the standards that make that possible.' 'Operation Pink Diamond' not only recovered one of the world's rarest gemstones but also reinforced Dubai's reputation as a secure hub for high-value commodities. The operation highlights the city's law enforcement capabilities and the proactive measures it takes to protect investors and merchants in the luxury trade sector.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Flying taxi services closer as Archer, Joby complete first and longest piloted flights
Flying taxi services in the UAE have moved a step closer to reality, as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation successfully completed their first and longest piloted flights. Joby Aviation signed a definitive agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in February 2024 to launch air taxi services in Dubai by 2026. Meanwhile, Archer Aviation has partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to introduce flying taxi services in Abu Dhabi. Both companies are expected to roll out their services later this year or next year. On Monday, Archer announced that its Midnight aircraft successfully completed its longest piloted flight to date, covering approximately 55 miles in 31 minutes at speeds exceeding 126mph. The flight took place at Archer's flight test facility in Salinas, California. Test flights in the preceding week reached speeds of nearly 150mph over a variety of patterns. This latest achievement advances toward certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US and near-term commercialisation in the UAE. 'Crossing the 50-mile mark at speed is another clear step toward commercialisation that shows the maturity of our programme,' said Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and CEO. Midnight flight test pilots will continue to expand speed and duration, and test mission profiles that map to early commercial operations in the UAE. US-based Archer Aviation last week said it would expand on its in-country operations in the UAE, including pilot training, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) setup and flight testing to gather additional data for certification and commercialisation plans in the UAE and the US over the coming quarters. Joby's successful piloted flight Meanwhile, Joby Aviation said it successfully completed its first piloted flight between two US airports in controlled airspace. Set to launch its commercial flying taxi service in Dubai in the first half of 2026, Joby's piloted flight lasted approximately 12 minutes over 10 nautical miles. It included five minutes in a holding pattern for air traffic spacing, reflecting the progress the electric air taxi firm is making toward securing approval from the US regulator to launch commercial service. In February 2024, Joby Aviation signed a definitive agreement with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in 2026. RTA and Joby also partnered with Skyports for the construction of vertiports. Joby's piloted flight follows a previous successful test flight at its facility at the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham, along the Dubai–Al Ain Road, in June 2025. The aircraft completed several loops over the facility and surrounding desert. The US company operated the flight in airspace controlled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), between Marina (OAR) and Monterey (MRY) airports in California. 'Successfully flying from Marina to Monterey showcased operations of our aircraft integrated into the broader transportation network and further validated its performance to ensure we're prepared for service on day one,' said Didier Papadopoulos, president of aircraft development and manufacturing at Joby. 'For years, our flight testing has validated our aircraft's capabilities, and we've done this across a wide range of environmental conditions.' Joby recently began the final assembly of its first aircraft for Type Inspection Authorisation (TIA) flight testing – one of the last major steps in FAA certification. The company plans to begin flight testing with FAA pilots early next year. Following certification, Joby aims to launch commercial service in the US, starting in Los Angeles and New York City.
