Russell Luckock: Travel hassles discouraging international trade

Dec 2 2010 By Russell Luckock

Wandering around the stalls last week at the International Material Handling Exhibition, I got talking with a few fellow businessmen on the subject of international travel.

The Government is anxious that manufacturers get out to meet customers and clinch orders in order to get the economy going again. Currency exchange rates are in our favour and British quality is held in high regard throughout the world.

However, I found that some business people are reluctant to journey abroad because of the ever-increasing hassle that travellers now have to face.

The necessity of having to arrive at an airport hours before the flight, and then go through security checks that are quite invasive at times, is a deterrent.

When added to the uncertainty of bookings, and all the industrial problems, not only in this country, but abroad, particularly in France, it is understandable that the business person, hard pressed for time, and under cost restraints, is not enthusiastic about getting out and pressing the flesh.

Perhaps it is time the Government considered a system of security clearing for passengers prior to their journeys. This would certainly save time and money all round, not only for the passengers, but for the airport staff. Once a passenger had been screened, he or she could thereafter be spared all the hassle.

It is important that business people are encouraged to go and meet the customer for many transactions are done on trust. This level of mutual understanding can only be achieved in a face-to-face meeting.

I was once asked on a BBC broadcast, why I did not buy goods on the internet. The answer I gave, was that although the net was good, you could not feel or smell the product, let alone establish a relationship with the seller.

Manufacturing in this country has to fight hard to survive, and if it is to be discouraged by restriction and red tape, however important, then ways have to be found to circumvent the problem. A system of pre-travel checking could be the answer. Government, please take note. Such a move would be cost neutral, and signify support for commerce.

*Russell Luckock is chairman of pressworks firm AE Harris