Travellers working for SMEs based in the UK have reduced their average length of trip during 2022 but have also been more willing to pay for premium air travel.
According to SME travel management specialist Corporate Traveller, clients have reduced the average duration of trips by two days compared with pre-Covid trends. Although two-thirds of travellers have been booking business class travel this year, which was a slight increase on 2019’s figures.
Corporate Traveller, which is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, said it had seen an “emphatic rebound” in bookings for its UK division in 2022, with record-breaking TTV (total transaction value) recorded in September and October.
Donna Joines, general manager of Corporate Traveller UK, said: “With business travel bookings now exceeding pre-pandemic levels, there is little doubt that SMEs are playing a huge role in economic recovery.
“The world has changed, which for budget-conscious SMEs, has created a more confusing environment and reinforced the need to have a travel pro by your side.”
The TMC said its UK clients had “favoured domestic and European destinations throughout 2022”, although long-haul destinations such as South Africa and Saudi Arabia had both seen a significant surge in demand this year.
“For both countries, this could be due to the continuous investments being made to enhance visibility on the global business stage, in addition to ongoing trade deals,” said Corporate Traveller.
The TMC said it was also “eagerly anticipating” the return of Chinese airlines in 2023 as the key destination reopens its borders to international travellers.
“This will enhance competition in the aviation market. This could mean airline prices will level out, becoming more manageable for growing SMEs,” added Corporate Traveller.