More than half of business travellers feel obliged to travel to safeguard their jobs, according to survey results unveiled at the GBTA Europe conference in Prague.
The survey, by GBTA and Airplus, polled 675 business travellers across 10 European countries, and revealed that 53 per cent said they cannot refuse to travel because it might negatively affect their job.
Many travellers are keen on an element of autonomy: between 46 and 49 per cent said they wanted the ability to book direct flights themselves, use personal preferences for travel and have flexibility with their schedules as key to managing their stress levels.
However, 55 per cent said their company's travel policy could best be described as a mandate, while 15 per cent said their company had no travel policy.
A large majority (75 to 76 per cent) listed their top concerns as knowing that their employer took their safety and security seriously, and keeping in touch with family and loved ones while on the road.
Travellers with children under 18 at home were significantly more likely to be concerned about the impact of travel on their family - 45 per cent - compared to those who don't have younger children at a home - 28 per cent.
When asked about safety and security issues including hotel location, crime rates, transport safety and knowing how to contact a travel manager, more women than men cited these as concerns.
Air delays and cancellations topped the list of 'stress factors', while 65 per cent felt maintaining a healthy diet while on the road was a key concern.
“The study highlights the importance of creating a travel policy that takes into account not just the cost of travel, but travel’s impact on employees,” said Airplus executive vice-president Michiel Verhaagen.
“We want to help travel managers find solutions that are cost-effective and ensure a traveller’s well-being."