Business travel in Germany is enjoying a boom according to the latest survey by VDR, the country's business travel managers' association
The VDR Business Travel Report Germany 2006 found that in 2005, while slightly fewer people travelled, they went on more than three times as many trips and spent more money compared with 2004.
The figures show that in 2005 there were 6.9m travellers, compared to 7.4m in 2004. But they went on 150.7m trips (2004: 46.4m) and spent €46.2bm compared to €44bn the previous year.
Other major finds were that trips were getting shorter with the average length two to three days while the number taking more than six days has halved in since 2004.
The survey, conducted with consultants Bearing Point, also found that it was the major corporates which were enjoying the savings of managed travel.
The survey found that 38% of companies with travel managers saved at 20% on their budget by proper management.
But the small and medium companies found that averages costs per business trip rose significantly while expenses had rocketed by 24%, even though the number of trips remained the same.
But, conversely, the study said that although travel management led to savings, many companies showed little interest.
It found that about one third of companies showed no interest in "quantifying their managing results" while "most" of the others were happy with ball park figures.
During 2005, German business travellers spent €11.3bn on hotels, a 12% increase on 2004. Three quarters (76% - €8.6bn) was spent in Germany.
Globally, German travellers spent €142 a night on hotels.
The two most visited countries were the USA and France with China a close third. Poland also made the top ten.
VDR predicted that the USA and China would dominate the market and no other countries would be as important for business trips.
The survey also found that the motive for business trips was mainly to customer-oriented. 65% were made to meet customers and negotiate business while events like fairs and workshops accounted for 35% of trips.
For the survey VDR/Bearing Point carried out 512 telephone interviews with travel managers or those responsible for travel at companies located in Germany.