Most European Business Travelers Not Curbing Trips

Fifty-two percent of Europe-based business travelers expect to maintain current levels of travel in the next year, while only 26 percent said they would take fewer business trips, according to a survey released this week by the National Business Travel Association of 600 business travelers based in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

The survey, conducted by research firm Vanson Bourne, shows 22 percent of respondents plan to take more business trips in the next 12 months. To establish a baseline of travel patterns among the respondents, the survey found that 50 percent traveled fewer than 10 nights a year while more than 20 percent spend more than 26 nights on the road.

European business traveler respondents also claimed their companies have tightened some policies in the past six months, with 36 percent saying their company "mandated cheaper travel" by trading down from premium airline cabins or using less costly airline or hotel providers.

European travelers reported less attention paid to ground transportation, though one-quarter of respondents said their company encouraged cheaper such options in the past six months. The survey found larger companies "were more likely to mandate policy changes."

Despite efforts among companies to reduce the cost of travel, two-thirds of the traveler respondents said convenience was the most important factor when booking business trips, while one-quarter said cost drove travel-purchasing decisions.

NBTA president Kevin Maguire in a statement said, "While the majority of business travelers understand the need to be prudent around costs, the most important issue for them when booking travel is convenience. That's why it is so vital that travel managers work with their communications colleagues to inform employees how travel changes are designed to meet both goals, cutting costs while offering convenience."