Some 40 per cent of small- to medium-sized
businesses (SMBs) say they fear they will not be able to develop and maintain business connections if
business travel does not increase in the next 12 months, according to a new
survey.
The research, by SAP Concur, reveals that 95 per
cent of travellers in such companies are willing to travel in the next year and
worry that if trips do not restart their companies will face severe
consequences.
More than a third (35 per cent) of SMBs feel there will be fewer
deals signed as a result of business travel not resuming and 38 per cent of
travellers feel they will earn less money as a result.
Travellers at SMBs also expect considerable
changes to enable business travel: 91 per cent expect to change their behaviour
in the coming 12 months, including more frequently staying in larger hotels (33
per cent), prioritising domestic trips (33 per cent) and using cars instead of
public transportation (31 per cent).
Travellers within small
businesses are also more unforgiving than ever before and more than half (53
per cent) would make changes if their company doesn’t provide the necessary
policies or measures to protect their health and safety. This includes 29 per
cent who would try to limit their travel and 22 per cent who would look for a
new employer.
Ryan Demaray, UK MD SMB at
SAP Concur, said: “Travellers from within small
businesses see an even greater need for business travel than their counterparts
at larger companies. They clearly recognise the importance of business travel
to the health of their organisation, so are keen for it to restart quickly.
“Despite this appetite, many don’t plan on returning to travel
unconditionally. To ensure that employees are okay to travel again, small
businesses must recognise their desire for policy and procedural changes that
give them the flexibility and control to travel in the most safe and
sustainable manner. It is likely that small businesses start with domestic
travel initially and the desire for sustainable travel will likely see an
increase in the use of rail for business trips.”