Despite growing environmental concerns and advances in communications technology, American Express Business Travel reveals that for many European employees, business travel remains an integral part of working life. American Express Business Travel’s latest ‘Loves and Hates’ survey revealed that 93% of frequent travelers expect to travel on business as frequently, if not more than they did in 2007 (fig. 1).

Fig 1. Compared with 2006, how frequent is your business travel?

Whereas ten years ago business travel was perhaps considered the reserve of board directors and high flying executives, it has now become much less of a status symbol and more a corporate necessity in order to attend training (46%), conferences and seminars (46%) and conduct client meetings across the globe (43%).

The survey, launched ahead of the Business Travel Show in London on the 5th February, further explores what motivates business travelers and what they like and dislike about traveling in general. It also reveals the truth about corporate travel policy and compliance. The findings are from a survey of 400 European business travellers, conducted by independent research company, Loudhouse.

Fig 2. Which of the following apply to you?

 

Travel broadens the mind

Almost two thirds (63%) of business travellers admit they enjoy traveling on business and (fig 2), interestingly satisfaction levels rise amongst those who travel abroad more frequently, with 76% of people who fly more than ten times a year claiming to relish the experience.

• 67% believe business travel gives them the opportunity see the world and broaden their horizons (fig 3)
• 56% enjoy the break from their daily or weekly routine
• 55% like meeting new people whilst away on business

Fig 3. What do you consider to be the most positive aspects of business travel?

Business or pleasure?

As people travel further and more often in general, the boundaries between business and leisure travel are beginning to blur as corporate travel habits become more closely aligned with individuals’ leisure preferences.

• 45% of travelers choose the same airlines for business and personal trips
• 41% travel on the same airline class
• 35% have returned on holiday to a destination they have traveled to on business

Fig 4. Who would you be most likely to call first if things go wrong with your business travel arrangements?

Chop and change

Two thirds of respondents believe that it is vital to be able to change their travel plans within at least 48 hours, with16% needing to rearrange their schedules at least every other trip, increasing to 29% amongst Board level travellers. Surprisingly, many travellers stated that the first person they would call should any aspect of their plans go away is either their spouse or partner (37%), closely followed by their boss (34%). Less than a quarter (23%) said they would call their dedicated travel agent first (fig 4).

David Herrick, Senior Vice President of American Express Business Travel Europe believes that these travellers are missing out, “It is concerning that so many employees are failing to take advantage of the basic services offered by their company’s travel management company. It may be the case that many ring their partners in order to let off steam before they go about organising alternative arrangements but travel agents are used to solving everyday business travel problems, be it a cancelled flight or a lost passport and really should be their first port of call.”

Traveller gripes

More than a quarter of people find business travel particularly stressful, however 84% don’t believe it to be any more stressful than it was a year ago. As found in 2006, the majority (42%) feel the most stressed just getting to the airport (fig 5).

Herrick comments, “This is not necessarily surprising given some of the current obstacles travellers face, with roads around some of Europe’s major airports becoming increasingly congested, concerns regarding security and confusion over changing luggage allowance all potentially heightening the stress felt prior to take-off.”

Fig 5. Which of the following parts of a business trip do you consider most stressful?

Once safely at the airport, the top concerns are:

• Flight delays and cancellations (60%)
• Check in queues (57%)
• Dead-time waiting at the airport (45%)

Enhancing the experience

There are some interesting splits between what men and women value when it comes to flying on business. Women are more concerned with being able to sleep on long haul flights with 41% believing that a flat bed would enhance their in-flight experience, compared to just 28% of men. Women also tend to prioritise speedy baggage retrieval (44%), whereas this only concerns 29% of men.

Creature comforts

It seems that business travelers are creatures of habit, as 88% of respondents think it is important to know exactly what they are going to get when they arrive at their hotel. The top three hotel turn-offs are:

• An uncomfortable bed (59%)
• Dirty bathrooms (49%)
• An inconvenient location (46%)

Aside from the day-to-day concerns of individual travelers, the research also highlighted the importance of travel policy compliance. Encouragingly, 60% of companies have some form of written business travel policy in place, although only 32% of these can be considered to be formal and comprehensive.

Furthermore, only 45% of employees abide by their corporate policy all the time when arranging business travel.

Where online booking systems exist, 57% of employees admitted that they still rely on some form of off-line assistance, Herrick comments, “Where companies have tried to exert some budgetary control over employee travel arrangements, many travelers are still going ‘off-piste’ when organising business trips. The onus is on businesses to not only implement a travel management policy, but to ensure that it is adhered to and regularly reviewed. A centralised travel management policy is a win-win for both employers and employees.”