Substantial numbers of buyers in both North America and Europe expect an increase in travel this year, according to a new poll by Egencia.
The online agency reported that 56% of American buyers and 45% in Europe expected travel volumes to increase during the year.
It found in its poll of 400 buyers that 40% of North Americans and 49% of European planned to negotiate more for deals this year than before.
At the same time 20% in America and 15% in Europe said they planned to change their travel policies this year.
Egencia said that travel managers listed four challenges to their travel programme:
- Cost control/ cutting expenses (59% Europe, 49% North America)
- Traveller satisfaction (11%, 23% )
- Traveller compliance/policy enforcement (12%, 13%)
- Capturing a full view of travel spend (9%, 7% )
Noah Tratt, vp for supplier relations for Egencia Americas, said: "We found that in North America, 36% of travel buyers are evaluating supplier contracts more frequently due to the economic climate.
"Following the themes from our research, the largest opportunities for cost savings this year are through better programme management and a stronger hotel programme."
The findings were released in Egencia's 2010 Corporate Travel Global Benchmarking Study.
But the study reported mixed findings on trends in prices for air, hotel and car rental.
While it found that airlines on both sides of the Atlantic had kept a tight hold on capacity, fare trends varied.
Average ticket prices (ATPs) sold at various points of sale in America for destinations worldwide all showed increases in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
For example tickets to London rose by 25%, to Hong Kong by 13% and to Paris by 17%. Domestic prices also rose with prices to New York (10%), Chicago (15%) and Dallas (15%) showing substantial increases.
But ATPs at European points of sale showed a different picture with prices to London dropping by 5%, to Milan by 11% and to Frankfurt by 9%%.
But fares to New York (15%), Chicago (19%) and San Francisco (13%) all rose.
On hotels, Egencia said that average daily rates (ADRs) had dropped in the first quarter of 2010.
It cited the failure of the meetings and incentives industry to recover fully and an "influx of supply" over the last few years.
All most all cities in North America showed a fall in ADRs except Vancouver which reported an astonishing 43% rise in ADR.
In Europe most cities saw a fall in ADRs with Madrid leading the way with a 12% fall.
But several showed an increase among them except Berlin (5%) and London (4%).
Tratt said: "We're seeing a different pricing picture compared to this time last year.
"Corporate travellers are returning to the air and road, but companies are still seeking to control spend.
"Given the increased discipline of airlines in reducing capacity, we believe the biggest cost savings opportunity for corporations is found with hotels."
www.egencia.com