Pressure Mounts on Universities to Get Students, Professors Traveling This Year

Universities are rushing to reboot their travel programs this year following lengthy campus closures and canceled field trips. Like airline loyalty point schemes, education bodies face a “use-it-or-lose-it” scenario because academics need to take field trips or risk losing funding, experts have warned. “There is significant pressure to conclude research within grant periods, where the work is travel dependent and cannot be completed remotely," said Saad Hammad, CEO of Key Travel. "This is driving flight demand even at risk of flight shaming." Fortunately, some universities are taking the lead by restarting their travel programs and inspiring others to follow suit, according to Diversity Travel. The UK's De Montfort University, for example, launched a wide range of international experiences for students this week which will take place between April and August this year.