As the peak summer travel season is underway, International SOS, the world's leading health and security services company, is urging organisations to prioritise the health and safety of their travelling employees. With summer travel reaching record highs, especially from the GCC and wider Middle Eastern regions, comprehensive pre-travel planning, and efficient risk mitigation strategies are becoming more essential to ensure a healthier and safer travel in the season.
Summer's warmer temperatures and the corresponding rise in outdoor activities around the globe are creating a heightened risk environment for health and safety. These risks are amplified for travellers with unfamiliar destinations, where individuals may encounter food and waterborne illnesses, vector-borne diseases and excessive sun exposure.
According to reports, climate change is causing extreme weather around the world, generating record-breaking heat waves on land and at sea. This increased frequency of heatwaves globally poses significant health threats, including heat stress, which is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities and can exacerbate underlying medical conditions.1 To ensure employee health and wellbeing, organisations should provide clear guidance on heatwave preparedness, such as staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours and recognising the signs of heat-related illness.
