Travel buyers are expecting an increased need for compliance during 2013, according to a survey carried out by the Business Travel Show.
The organisers of the show, which takes place at London’s Earls Court on February 5-6, polled 178 buyers from across Europe on what they think will be the biggest changes in travel buying during this year with compliance coming out as the number one issue.
Other major changes will be more focus on costs and global travel management as well as rises in the volume of online bookings and long-haul flights.
Buyers said that the biggest change to their roles in 2013 would be an increased strategic focus as well as travel buying becoming “more procurement-led”.
Siri Persson, travel manager for Logica Sweden, agreed that buyers needed to be more strategic in doing their jobs.
“The travel buyer needs to take more strategic decision on how to set up the travel process,” she said.
“Buyers also need to be more aware of the ways that relevant, user-friendly mobile technology can support travellers to make the best choices to reduce environmental impact and follow the company’s travel policy. This will save both time and money for all involved.”
The issues highlighted by the BTS survey will be addressed during the event’s education programme – for full details click here.
BTS event director David Chapple added: “The trends for travel managers to become more strategic and procurement-led go hand in hand as they both push for an increasingly holistic approach to cost savings.
“Managers will be looking to make savings across all areas of travel management, including supplier costs, traveller policy, demand and technology.”
Visitor registration is open for the BTS – click here to register.
businesstravelshow.com