In 2015, business travel volume among European companies
grew at twice the rate predicted, according to American Express Global Business
Travel. Its 2015 EVP Barometer, just released, showed 1.4 percent growth. The
previous year's report had predicted 0.7 percent growth to occur during 2015.
The 580 business travel professionals based in Europe who were surveyed for the
most recent report anticipate 1 percent to 3 percent growth during 2016.
Respondents promoted safety and security to the No. 1
priority among company executives when considering business travel. That's
notable considering Amex GBT gathered 90 percent of responses before the Nov.
13 attacks in Paris. Cost control moved down to second priority, and traveler
satisfaction jumped from sixth a year ago to third now.
Three-quarters of respondents view business
travel as a cost rather than an investment, according to the report. "Calculating
the return on investment of business travel is still a challenge for
companies," Amex GBT president and CEO for France, Belgium and the
Netherlands Guillaume Col said in a statement.