Personalisation and efficiency are set to be the key priorities for business travellers in 2014, according to research published by technology solutions provider Amadeus.
Its study of more than 400 UK business travellers found almost two thirds said services such as extra legroom, dietary requests and extra luggage are important to them and 21% said obtaining the closest hotel to their meeting is the top priority when travelling.
The survey, Amadeus Business Travel Insights: Business travel gets personal, showed a small increase in trips in 2013, with an average of 13.1 trips being taken per person compared to 12.7 in 2012.
The study also found more than half of business travellers have outstanding travel expenses, with 18% being out of pocket by more than £100. Expenses ‘falling out of policy’ is the most common reason for not being reimbursed (56%), followed by lost receipts (14%) and not being bothered to claim back (12%).
The study showed business travellers are unaware of the costs of roaming charges, with 19% of travellers needing to be informed before each on company policy on mobile roaming.
Managing director of Amadeus, Diane Bouzebiba, said she’s “delighted” the growing optimism in the economy is translating into business travel.
“The findings shine a spotlight on the variation in traveller requirements, enabled by the proliferation of online and mobile travel management tools,” she said.
“We believe that travel managers and TMCs who aim to deliver a more personalised and connected travel experience will be rewarded with greater policy compliance and efficiency gains as a result.”
The report was based on a survey of more than 400 UK and Ireland adults, who work for large companies and regularly travel for business. It was conducted in December 2013.