ASEAN, Hong Kong - Corporations expect their travel volume to return to normal now that Singapore, Hong Kong and China have been lifted off the World Health Organization's SARS-affected countries.

Travel volume and expenditure are not expected to be higher than normal from any pent-up demand arising from previous postponements or cancellations.

Many had some kind of policy against travel before, to play it safe.

At Accenture Malaysia, for instance, the Iraq war and SARS led to travel to the affected countries being on urgent basis only, and must be approved by the local country managing director. In the Middle East, travel was restricted to Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while in Asia, travel was restricted to Singapore, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong.

If approved, the traveller would need to contact Accenture's international health care advisor, International SOS, prior to travelling and follow all required precautions. On June 2, the restrictions were lifted for travel to Hong Kong and Singapore, spokesman, Ms Carol Lo, said.

At ExxonMobil Asia-Pacific, travellers were no longer required to seek approval before travelling to SARS-hit countries. “We expect travel volume and expenditure for the rest of the year to return to pre-SARS level,” travel and retail equipment sourcing specialist, Mr David Chin, based in Singapore, said.

Some companies, such as Amoco Mitsui PTA Indonesia, however, did not have any written policy. Inevitably, however, a regional

meeting that was scheduled to take place in Hong Kong, was moved to Korea, executive secretary,

Ms Lies Suparmo, said because “we understand people are afraid to go to SARS-affected countries”.

Swire Pacific spokesperson, Ms Maisie Shun Wah, said the many companies under the Swire empire had no problems with executives taking to the air. That is not surprising; they are major shareholders in Cathay Pacific which has strongly maintained flying throughout the outbreak is totally safe.

The individual companies in the group were left to decide what was best for them. “In some cases, overseas contacts have requested physical meetings be cancelled,” she added. “In others, staff may have expressed concern about being in a certain

city, in which case we listened sympathetically and did not insist.”