Buyers are forecasting a “confident outlook” for business travel in 2016, a study from ATPI Group and ITM has found.
The research showed despite broader economic challenges more than half of buyers predict an increase in business travel this year and 72 per cent feel ‘very or quite confident’ about their company outlook and growth opportunities.
When asked to think about the next five years, more than half said the amount of travel required by their business will increase. Only seven per cent see a reduction on travel when looking towards 2020.
Adam Knights, managing director, UK, the ATPI Group, said the economic recovery of 2015 has boosted confidence despite a “background” of economic uncertainty.
“We are seeing business travel professionals feeling more optimistic about the longer term future than in recent years, and are planning to be travelling more, to a wider choice of destinations,” said Knights.
He added: “Strong, robust travel policies are a clear theme as businesses look to plan for growing travel requirements. This makes complete sense as controlling spend will always be an important factor for any business.
“Despite a more positive outlook for business travel in the longer term, the message for Travel Management Companies is clear – be transparent and supportive of client priorities in order to help them deliver the growth that will bring yet greater need to travel further afield, and more often.”
Sign up to BBT’s twice-weekly newsletter