Complain as They May, Business Travelers Still Love the Road
Research reveals that positives significantly outweigh negatives at work and at home when traveling for business
An international survey by CWT shows business travelers feel the positives outweigh negatives at work (92 percent) and at home (82 percent) when traveling for business. Travelers from the Americas are the most enthusiastic at 94 percent and 86 percent respectively, followed by travelers from Asia Pacific at 93 percent and 84 percent, and Europe at 89 percent and 77 percent.
CWT’s research also shows that developing trust (39 percent), getting to know people better (32 percent), and efficiencies (31 percent) are the top three benefits of meeting with people in person for travelers worldwide.
European travelers value getting to know people the most (37 percent), followed by Americas (36 percent), and travelers from Asia Pacific (25 percent). Europeans also value the efficiencies of meeting people face-to-face the most (34 percent), followed by travelers from Asia Pacific (31 percent), and Americas (29 percent).
“Traveling to a new destination, meeting someone face-to-face for the first time, networking with people that can help you to advance your business as well as your career, and getting out of the work routine are some of the most exciting factors associated to business travel according to our findings” said Niklas Andréen, Executive VP and Chief Traveler Experience Officer at CWT. “It’s important that we recognize the true value that travelers find in their travels, and understand what provides the most positive benefits while on the road.”
Bleisure Bump
Another perk of traveling for business is the possibility of extending a trip for pleasure. The average number of times in the past 12 months that the respondents have extended their trip is 2.4. Travelers from Americas took the lead with 2.7 times, followed by 2.4 in Europe, and 2.3 in Asia Pacific. The average number of days – globally – was 4.3 days.
The research also uncovered that companies are mostly supportive of Bleisure travel if employees pay for their personal expenses (76 percent), especially in Asia Pacific (79 percent) and the Americas (77 percent). Companies in Europe fell short at 70 percent.
