The vast majority of
corporate travel buyers agree that the proliferation of smartphones and mobile
applications already is having a "moderate or significant impact on the
corporate travel program," according to a new survey conducted by the
Association of Corporate Travel Executives on behalf of Travelport. However,
few have taken the reins in developing a mobile policy, and for those companies
that have defined the rules of engagement, there is no clear consensus on how
to govern the intersection of mobile and corporate travel.
Only a quarter of the 248
travel buyer and manager respondents to the survey, fielded in June and
released this week, have implemented a mobile travel policy as part of their
program, though an additional 57 percent "intend to."
"Clearly, most companies surveyed think that
right now is a good time to consider their mobile strategy and ensure they get
it right," according to the report. Those with no plans to deploy a mobile
travel policy indicated that their company "already has a mobile policy
elsewhere in the business, or at least processes that cover mobile transactions."
The report's authors were not
surprised to find that 72 percent of respondents pointed to the IT department as
being responsible for managing "the mobile devices program," but the
report suggested that "it's vital [corporate travel managers] take an
advisory role in this process."
While only 2 percent of respondents indicated that
their company's corporate travel department managed the "mobile devices
program," which includes decisions concerning smartphone management and whether to allow employees
to "bring your own device," the use of travel-related applications is
one area ripe for further travel management involvement, according to the
report.
For now, the approach is
mixed. Among respondents, 32 percent have not implemented a policy regarding
mobile app usage, 37 percent "do not actively encourage
the use of unauthorized travel apps" and about 7 percent "do not
allow their travelers to use travel-related apps at all." Meanwhile, 24
percent "actively encourage the use of travel apps."
"It seems there is real
confusion over how best to handle employee app use," according to the
report.
The study found regional
variances related to how companies view mobile, generally finding that
companies in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region were more focused than
their counterparts elsewhere on mobile policy and more convinced of its significance
to managed travel.
"Only 16 percent of
those companies with no mobile policy are from EMEA," according to the
report. "What's more, the majority of companies that prohibit travel app
use are based in EMEA, also reinforcing that they understand the impact of
mobile and are taking it seriously."
Among the travel services
that respondents "give your travelers access to" via a mobile
channel, 66 percent indicated "real-time flight updates" and 51
percent indicated itinerary management tools. Access to mobile online booking
(37 percent), destination services (32 percent) and airport parking (28
percent) was less commonly provided.
Meanwhile, the survey revealed a multi-channel approach
among travelers for booking various travel services, which includes online
booking tools, travel agents, sanctioned mobile applications and, to a lesser
extent, direct with suppliers via websites and mobile devices.
"When it comes to booking air tickets," the
report concluded, "the more traditional methods of using a PC and phoning
or emailing the travel desk/travel management company are preferred over mobile
apps."