Travel managers believe increasing hotel and air prices mean that ensuring travellers comply with their company’s travel policy is of vital importance, a new survey reveals.
Some 95% of respondents to Egencia’s 2011 Global Cost Avoidance Study viewed traveller compliance as important or extremely important.
Egencia surveyed 348 travel executives for the study, which also revealed that failure to book air travel far enough in advance is the number one area where travellers fail to comply.
Mark Hollyhead, senior VP, Egencia Americas, said: “Given that air and hotels prices are expected to increase in 2011, it’s now more important than ever to focus on policy enforcement and cost avoidance strategies to control corporate travel spend.”
Booking more expensive hotel rooms and not booking hotel rooms with preferred hotel partners is another area where travellers are dodging policy, said respondents.
The majority (57%) of travel managers admitted that they don’t frequently remind their travellers about the hotel benefits and amenities that have been included in their package.
Egencia warned this is a “substantial missed opportunity” as if travellers know about these added extras they may be more likely to book within policy.