While 2010 saw a return to form with business travellers back on the road, prospects for this year are “uncertain”, said a leading travel management company (TMC).
Carlson Wagonlit (CWT) has predicted the double-digit increase in bookings seen in 2010 may not transfer through into 2011.
A global survey, conducted by CWT, of some 180 travel managers with responsibility for more than £5 million of corporate travel spend revealed businesses are geared up for “tough” negotiations with suppliers.
Air fares are on the rise, with airlines restricting capacity to maintain profitability, but businesses that cut back on air travel during the recession are loathed to reintroduce it.
Hotel prices are also set to rise in 2011, predicted CWT, along with the cost of rail tickets and meetings and events.
How businesses will react to the higher prices remains to be seen, with fears of a double-dip recession possibly discouraging any increased travel spend.
In the coming year, the main focus for companies in terms of travel management will be on improving traveller compliance and optimising online adoption, said CWT.
Driving air and ground transport savings and optimising hotel spend also ranked highly.