Reducing costs and finding more affordable travel alternatives is not only a concern of the common travelers. Business travel buyers have also started to search for new ways to save on their corporate trips.
This information was revealed in a recent survey conducted by ATPI Group. According to it, more than half of all business travelers want to cut down their work-related travel expenses. In fact, they list this as one of their main priorities for 2014.
Most corporate travelers and business in general do their best to reduce their travel costs. Similar to 2013, a big part of them will again attempt to achieve this through preferred supplier bookings (49%) and advanced air bookings (55%). However, unlike last year, they have shared that they will also pay more attention to preferred booking channels (48%).
These findings indicate that the priorities of business travelers have changed compared to previous years. An earlier survey, published in the fall of 2013, showed that corporate travelers (particularly those in Europe) focus most on safety and security (76%), as well as taking care of their health during their business-related trips and rounds (65%).
ATPI Group’s research does attempt to explain the reasons behind this sudden shift of preferences. However, it clearly illustrates that the global business environment has become more challenging.
Flexibility is another factor about which they have become more concerned. For just one year, flexible travel policies have jumped with three positions on business travelers priority list. Moreover, it even surpassed other key factors like safety and security or better travel policies.
Also, business travel buyers have become more interested in teaming up with a good travel manager partner. Over 50% of them see this as very important, whereas only 5% believe it is not important at all. On the other hand, concerns involving employee satisfaction have gone down the list. Therefore, it can be said that corporate travelers have become slightly less picky.
According to the research, technology has turned into an important and almost inseparable part of modern corporate travel policies and practices. For instance, over 40 of all business travelers rely on a number of web platforms and tools for booking.
