The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) and American Express Global Business Travel (AmEx GBT) shared a report revealing how the behavior and priorities of business travelers are evolving. It also explores how corporations can adapt managed travel programs to meet changing preferences.
The report, entitled Meet the Modern Business Traveler, is based on a research poll of 250 corporate travel managers and buyers. The findings make it clear that modern business travelers care about quality of life, demand a better work-life balance and expect a personalized travel experience.
Rising interest in quality of life issues
Nearly half (48%) of travel managers surveyed have seen an increase in work-life balance concerns over the last three years, with a similarly high proportion (42%) seeing an increase in requests by business travelers to combine business and leisure experiences (42%) within the same trip. Others have seen requests to bring a family member on a business trip (28%), or for time in lieu (23%).
While quality of life continues to be a concern for many travelers, it is not the biggest priority: almost two thirds (65%) of managers reported an increase in inquiries about personal safety in recent years.
Growing appetite for nontraditional travel
Of the 250 corporate travel managers and buyers surveyed, more than three quarters (79%) have seen an increase in the use of app-based ground transportation over the last three years, while almost half (48%) have seen an increase in ride-share services (48%), and 40% in sharing economy accommodation.
Flying habits are changing too: nearly half (49%) report growth in the usage of low-cost carriers alongside a 23% increase in network carriers, which suggests travelers are mixing their standards.
The challenge for corporations
Many corporations are beginning to adapt travel programs to match the profile of the modern business traveler. Over half those surveyed (54%) have tightened their policy on personal safety, while more than a third (36%) are about to, or are considering, policy changes. Travel managers remain split on sharing economy services: 25% provide sharing economy ground transport options [in policy], while 30% don’t. Just 9% offer sharing accommodation, with 59% saying they have no plans to introduce it.
Improved productivity was cited as the main objectives for improving the traveler experience by 39% of survey respondents, while one-quarter said it was key to being an attractive employer. Only 14% said revenue generation was their key objective. But there is evidence that corporations often have a mismatch between key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives. The majority of travel managers cited savings (90%) as their top KPI, followed by compliance (86%), traveler satisfaction (68%), traveler productivity (30%), traveler wellness (29%), work-life balance (24%), and traveler retention (20%).
Enabling happier, more productive travelers
“Business travelers, and business travel, have evolved—the days of the road warrior are over,” said Philip Haxne, regional director EMEA, global business consulting at American Express Global Business Travel. “Today, a managed travel policy and program can only really be successful if the emotions, desires and habits of the modern business traveler are understood. Only by adapting to the modern business traveler can businesses attract and retain top talent, while increasing productivity.
“To make this a reality, corporations should take advantage of today’s powerful technology to enable choice and personalization in the travel experience,” Haxne concluded.
The full Meet the Modern Business Traveler white paper is available to qualifying travel managers.
