With employees around the world struggling with the disconnect of remote work, efficient business travel is a top priority, providing access to new markets, insights and development opportunities. But it can be complicated, as a new SAP Concur survey of 3,750 business travelers and 600 travel managers in markets around the world reveals.
Many influences are driving, and sometimes stalling, the business travel industry. To maximize the productivity and happiness of travelers and travel managers, companies need to support them with the right education and tools in 2024 and beyond. To keep business travel running smoothly and get the most out of their investments, business leaders need to understand business travel friction points. The sixth SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey explores some of the most pressing challenges facing business travelers today. Here are five key takeaways:
1. The threat of disruption
- In the past year, 88% of travelers were forced to make last-minute changes due to unexpected delays, cancellations or the need to reroute.
- 80% of travelers choose to build in a “booking buffer” at the beginning and/or end of their trip to allow for unexpected schedule changes. This frustrating cycle can put many off business travel altogether.
2. Traveler safety concerns
- The most common reasons business travelers cite forbidding travel include safety concerns about the destination (44%) or political or social concerns (35%).
- Many travel managers are experiencing burnout due to the many factors they must consider when planning and preparing for business travel, and a third feel they are expected to take on a more strategic role without further training.
3. Balancing sustainability and cost
- More than a quarter of business travelers would turn down a business trip due to the environmental impact or lack of sustainable options.
- Meanwhile, 27% claim their company has cut spending on sustainable travel options in the past 12 months.
- More than a third of travel managers are facing challenges as they are asked to offer more sustainable travel options without adequate budgets.
4. Unequal access to travel opportunities
- Two in three business travelers say that travel is essential to their career advancement, yet the same proportion feel they do not have equal access to travel opportunities compared to their peers.
- Staff cited reasons for unequal access including seniority (19%), age (18%) and gender (11%).
5. AI Solutions and the Need for Education
- While the majority of travelers (95%) are open to using AI-enabled options when making travel arrangements, a “wait and see” attitude is widespread: currently, less than one in ten travelers are comfortable using AI-enabled options.
- 89% of business travelers want more support from companies, including assurances around protecting their personal data, potential bias, and protection from repercussions if their AI-assisted booking violates company policies.
Leaders can’t fix the current travel disruptions overnight, but they can make them more manageable for staff. By implementing measures that increase travel flexibility, training opportunities, and next-generation software solutions, organizations can adapt to a tough market and future-proof their business travel posture in the long term.
For more information on the study, including additional findings, download our whitepaper for business travelers, travel managers and SME business travelers:
Charlie Sultan is president of Concur Travel at SAP Concur.
The SAP Concur Global Business Traveler Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research from April 5-26, 2024 among 3,750 business travelers in 24 markets: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy, Spain, ANZ (Australia, New Zealand), Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia), Japan, Korea, India, Mexico, Brazil, SEA (Singapore, Malaysia), South Africa, Portugal, Switzerland and Austria. Data is weighted for ease of tracking.
The SAP Concur Global Travel Manager Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research from April 5-26, 2024 among 600 travel managers who lead or manage corporate travel programs in six markets: Germany, Canada, Japan, ANZ (Australia and New Zealand), the UK and the US.
