Survey Shows Most Travelers Unaware Of Preferred Vendors
June 24, 2010, 1:5 PMBy Michael B. BakerMost corporate travelers are not aware of their companies'
preferred vendors and instead rely on word-of-mouth when making booking
decisions, according to more than 800 travelers surveyed by chauffeured car
supplier BostonCoach.
The survey, released on Thursday, showed that 61 percent
said they receive no formal communication from their company travel departments
instructing them as to which vendors they should use. This low compliance level
could be costing companies significant savings, with travelers missing
preferred rates and being hit by hidden fees from nonpreferred vendors, said
BostonCoach COO Mark Munoz.
"Without communication about travel policies and
providers, employees are left on their own to decide which transportation
options to use," according to Munoz. "Unfortunately, that leads to
misinformed decisions and adds to travel costs, as travelers should be taking
advantage of preferred providers and preferred rates."
BostonCoach fielded the survey during the first two weeks of
April.