The Business Travel Practices of Female Saudi Arabian Entrepreneurs

Abstract

This study investigates the business travel practices and experiences of female Saudi entrepreneurs before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The responses in a series of semi-structured interviews with 11 successful Saudi female entrepreneurs were thematically analysed. The findings were described and discussed in terms of the four research questions framed for this study. The demographic characteristics of the participants showed that the interviewed female entrepreneurs were adequately qualified, trained and experienced to handle their business successfully and answer the interview questions well. The purpose of their business travel varied with the nature and scope of their businesses. Most of the women used their logistic teams or external providers to meet the requirements of domestic or foreign travel. The main challenges to their business travel were gender, culture, language, local customs, local laws, security, safety, health and accommodation. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal business and stopped them from travelling. During the pandemic, they used digital technologies, online business, virtual meetings and video-conferencing to replace physical travel. This ‘new normal’ continued after the pandemic threat had subsided. Business travel was determined based on its needs, cost, benefits, health, safety, security and sustainability. When these parameters were mitigated against travelling, the women used virtual meetings or video conferencing to achieve their business aims. All these strategies together ensured that Saudi female entrepreneurs could successfully conduct their business before, during and after the pandemic. The study has a number of limitations, and on the basis of these limitations some recommendations are made for the benefit of female Saudi entrepreneurs, the Saudi government, and other governments. Some directions for future research are given.