The vast majority of business travelers enjoy work trips, but
they tend to value convenience and control over comfort and amenities,
according to survey data Egencia released today. Among more than 5,500 business
travelers in North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific, convenient travel times
and hotel locations were more important than flying business class or earning
loyalty points.
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Business travelers were particularly motivated to arrange
travel options that enable them to save time and arrive well-rested. Thirty
percent cited travel times that work best for their schedules as being of
utmost importance when booking. Convenience remains key after travelers arrive
at their destinations, too, as 31 percent cited a convenient and safe location
as their top priority when choosing a hotel.
Corporate travelers also value control, the survey found.
Nearly half, 48 percent, said the most important element of a corporate travel
program is the ability to control booking themselves, including initial booking
and any subsequent changes. Specialized customer support ranked a distant
second, at 15 percent.
A whopping 90 percent enjoy traveling for work, and most claimed
to be diligent in following their companies' travel policies. Eighty-two said
they always book within policy, though U.S. workers were notably less diligent—or
more honest—in that area, as only 62 percent claimed always to be compliant.
The most common reason for booking out of policy was the company's advance
booking window; about half said they weren't always able to book far enough in
advance to comply with policy.
When it comes to complaints about corporate travel programs,
respondents' most common issue was the impact of cost controls on the quality
of lodging available, cited by 31 percent. Limited upgrade options and the
inability to add perks like airport lounge access or expedited airport security
programs ranked as the next most common critiques.