Many business travellers say that seeing the world is a rewarding part of their job, but what they really appreciate is the destination, not the journey.
A new study from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Foundation and the travel reservations company Sabre found that the time that business travellers spend in transit to business meetings and other work obligations is the most challenging aspect of their job, cited by 62 per cent of those surveyed.
Other common irritants mentioned in the Creating a Frictionless Travel Experience – North America report included:
- Layovers (47 per cent)
- Changing a flight or train reservation during the trip (42 per cent)
- Work environment when traveling (40 per cent)
- Preparing expense reports (34 per cent)
- Changing a lodging reservation during the trip (34 per cent)
- Working away from the office (20 per cent)
Convenient and comfortable hotels, nonstop flights, booking flexibility, and paid time off to compensate for long trips were among the most favoured perks and amenities associated with business travel.
Optional services business travellers were most likely to purchase on the road included productivity-enhancing hotel high-speed internet and airplane/train wifi, seat upgrades, and early boarding.
The great majority of business travellers (79 per cent, including 88 per cent of Millennials) said that their travel experience has a significant impact on their overall job satisfaction, and similar numbers said that the quality of their travel affects their business results.
“Ultimately those who travel want to save time when possible, be productive, and have a pleasant experience while accomplishing their business goals,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA’s executive director and chief operating officer.
“A better understanding of the challenges business travellers face can help organisations better serve their road warriors as they work to provide the right tools, resources and policies.”
