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Key Ideas:
Importance of Business Travel: 67% of business travellers believe that travel is critical to their job, and 76% enjoy business travel, indicating its significance despite challenges.
Challenges Faced by Travellers: 88% of travellers have had to take unanticipated steps due to issues during their trips, highlighting the disruptions and frustrations in the current travel landscape.
Impact of Company Policies on Travel: 91% of travellers have noticed cutbacks in their travel programs, with 25% of companies restricting personal travel combined with business travel (bleisure).
Travel Managers' Struggles: 36% of travel managers anticipate challenges in balancing the expectations of travellers and company policies, indicating a disconnect between traveler needs and organisational constraints.
Interest in AI for Travel Management: 95% of travellers expressed interest in using AI for their travel journey, but only 7% believe they are currently using it, showing a gap between awareness and actual utilisation.
This is a summary of the seminar, ‘Where is Business Travel headed to next? A curated view of the Wakefield Global Business travel survey’, by James Hogben, Senior Program Manager, Global Strategy & Programs APAC at SAP Concur at the Australia Corporate Travel Summit on 13 November 2024.
Session Overview
The seminar focused on insights gathered from the Wakefield Global Business Travel Survey involving 3,750 travellers across 24 markets.
Key findings highlighted that 67% of respondents view business travel as critical to their roles, and 76% enjoy traveling for work, despite 88% experiencing unexpected issues during trips.
The discussion shed light on significant cutbacks in travel programs, with 91% of travellers noting reductions, particularly in personal-business travel mixing and overnight stays for single-day trips, prompting concerns among travel managers about meeting traveler and company expectations.
Furthermore, the potential of AI in enhancing the business travel experience was emphasised, with 95% of participants recognising its usefulness, although only 7% currently utilise AI tools. Action items proposed included reviewing the comprehensive survey results, considering the "How Might We" framework for organisational response, and assessing AI integration in travel programs to improve user experience.
Seminar Notes
Business Travel Sentiment Survey
Survey conducted with 3,750 business travellers in 24 markets
The survey included diverse questions about travel experiences, preferences, and challenges faced by business travellers.
It aimed to gather insights into the evolving landscape of business travel post-pandemic.
The findings also incorporated perspectives from 600 travel managers to understand the dynamics between traveler expectations and company policies.
67% of travellers consider business travel critical to their job
67% of travellers believe that business travel is essential for networking and building relationships with clients and colleagues.
Many travellers feel that face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable for effective communication and collaboration.
Business travel is often linked to career advancement opportunities, as it allows employees to showcase their skills and dedication to their roles.
76% enjoy business travel
The enjoyment of business travel is linked to opportunities for networking and relationship building.
Many travellers appreciate the chance to experience new locations and cultures while on business trips.
The increase in enjoyment levels suggests a positive shift in attitudes towards travel despite potential disruptions.
88% of travellers experienced unanticipated issues during trips
Many travellers reported having to take additional unplanned days on the road due to delays or cancellations.
Additional travel expenses were a common concern, impacting both personal budgets and company travel programs.
Travellers are increasingly building in booking buffers to mitigate the risk of disruptions during their trips.
61% build in extra time at the beginning of trips
Many travellers are increasingly aware of potential delays and disruptions in their travel plans, prompting them to add extra time.
Booking buffers allow travellers to manage stress and ensure they arrive at their destinations on time, enhancing their overall travel experience.
This trend highlights the importance for organisations to consider flexible travel policies that accommodate these additional time preferences.
46% build in extra time at the end of trips
46% of business travellers build in extra time at the end of their trips to ensure they can manage potential delays and disruptions.
This practice allows travellers to have a buffer for unexpected events, reducing stress associated with tight schedules.
Many travellers also use this additional time to blend personal activities or leisure with their business trips, enhancing their overall travel experience.
Travel Program Changes and Challenges
91% of travellers have seen cutbacks in their travel programs
91% of travellers have reported experiencing cutbacks in their travel programs.
These cutbacks often include restrictions on personal travel combined with business travel, known as "bleisure."
Many companies are also reducing the number of overnight trips, encouraging day trips instead.
25% of companies are cutting back on mixing personal and business travel
Many companies are enforcing stricter policies to separate personal and business travel, limiting employees' ability to blend work and leisure trips.
This trend may stem from cost-cutting measures as organizations seek to reduce travel expenses in a challenging economic environment.
Employees may feel frustrated by these restrictions, as blending personal and business travel can enhance work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.
28% of companies are reducing overnight stays for single-day trips
This trend reflects a shift towards cost-cutting measures in corporate travel policies
It may lead to increased travel fatigue and decreased employee satisfaction
Companies may need to reassess the effectiveness of day trips versus overnight stays for business purposes
92% of travellers would decline a trip under certain circumstances
92% of travellers would decline a trip if they anticipate delays or cancellations.
Travellers are increasingly aware of potential disruptions in their travel plans.
Flexibility in travel policies is becoming essential to accommodate traveler preferences and concerns.
36% of travel managers anticipate difficulties balancing traveler and company expectations
This indicates a significant challenge in aligning the needs and desires of travellers with corporate policies and budget constraints.
Travel managers may struggle to accommodate traveler preferences for flexibility and personalisation while adhering to company cost-cutting measures.
The tension between maintaining employee satisfaction and managing organisational resources can lead to increased stress and potential turnover among travel managers.
99% of travel managers anticipate a challenging year ahead
Travel managers face increasing pressure to balance company policies with traveler expectations.
Many travel managers lack the resources and training to effectively demonstrate the ROI of their travel programs.
Economic uncertainties and budget cuts are leading to more stringent travel policies, complicating travel management.
20% of travel managers are searching for new jobs
This indicates a significant turnover risk within the travel management sector.
Factors contributing to this trend may include job dissatisfaction, lack of career advancement opportunities, and increased workload.
The search for new positions may also reflect a desire for organisations that prioritise flexibility and employee support over cost-cutting measures.
AI in Business Travel
95% of travellers believe AI could be useful in their travel journey
AI can assist in personalising travel recommendations based on individual preferences and past behaviours.
AI tools can streamline the booking process by providing real-time updates and options for flights, accommodations, and transportation.
Travellers see AI as a means to enhance their overall travel experience by offering support for navigating travel policies and finding sustainable options.
Only 7% believe they're currently using AI in their travel tools
Many travellers may not recognise AI features in their travel tools, leading to underreporting of usage.
Awareness and understanding of AI applications in travel management need to be improved among users.
Companies should focus on educating users about the AI capabilities integrated into their travel solutions to enhance adoption.
89% want company support to feel comfortable using AI options
Many employees are eager to leverage AI tools to enhance their travel experiences and streamline processes.
Support from companies can include training sessions, resources, and clear communication about AI functionalities.
Fostering a culture of openness around AI can help alleviate concerns and increase adoption among employees.
AI seen as useful for finding sustainable travel options, visa information, and understanding travel policies
AI can analyse vast datasets to identify the most eco-friendly travel options, helping travellers make sustainable choices that reduce their carbon footprint.
AI can provide real-time updates and personalised assistance regarding visa requirements based on the traveler's nationality and destination, streamlining the travel preparation process.
AI can simplify the understanding of complex travel policies by offering tailored explanations and guidance, ensuring travellers comply with company regulations while maximising their travel experience.
Framework introduced: "How Might We" for responding to survey results
How Might We is a design framework that encourages actionable responses to survey findings.
It emphasises specificity by targeting particular personas or groups to tailor solutions effectively.
The framework promotes collaborative thinking by framing challenges in a way that invites diverse input and creative problem-solving.
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