The London Business Travel Show has come a long way since the first exhibition at the Design Centre in Islington in 1995. Now at Olympia it has over the years become the annual meeting place for those supplying the business travel product in all its forms. And the purchaser. By the purchaser we mean the travel organiser, whether a specialist company, the in-house department/person, or the individual.
The Business Travel Show has stimulated the whole industry and produced various offsprings perhaps the most interesting, and now in its tenth interpretation, the Barclaycard Business Travel Survey. Conducted in October 2005 amongst a nationwide sample of 565,000 Barclaycard Business commercial cardholders, this year”s survey questioned 2,500 respondents (CEOs, company directors, managers and executives), about all aspects of business travel from airlines and hotels to online bookings.
Some interesting facts have emerged. With long haul travel increasing, the number of flights taken per business traveller will increase by 12% from 7.6 flights per year in 2005/6 to 8.5 flights in 2015. Low cost air travel is predicted to be near saturation point and will therefore level off, with 74% of business travellers expected to use these services in 2015, no change from 2005/6. Conversely, the number of business travellers regularly using trains is predicted to decrease from 34% in 2005/6 to 25% in 2015. However, there may well be growth opportunities for long distance rail travel providers.
Nearly half (45%) of business travellers say they are travelling for business more in 2005/6 than they were in 2004/5. In contrast, actual miles travelled per month have decreased from 642 in 2004/5 to 608.5 in 2005/6. The main reason given for the increase in business travel is business expansion, both overseas (33%) and in the UK (18%). Of those who say they are travelling less, 25% put this down to technology reducing the need.
Trade in the UK is already becoming more global, affected not only by new countries such as Poland joining the EU but also by the opening up of economies such as China. The top three business destinations over the last 12 months were: UK and Ireland (75%), Western Europe (56%) and US and Canada (23%). However, Asia Pacific (10%), Eastern Europe (10%), China (7%) and Africa (4%) were also cited.
The typical male business traveller is aged between 41 and 65 and is married with children. He has a managerial position in a company with a turnover in excess of ”5m but less than ”20m. He will travel for business 2.5 days per week, is away on business for 4.3 nights a month and will cover 662 miles each week. The typical female business traveller is married, younger in age (31-40 years) and is less likely to have children than her male counterpart. She travels for business 2.2 days per week, is away on business for 3.8 nights a month and will cover 335 miles each week.
The survey concluded that video conferencing is expected to be used by 50% of workers by 2015, compared to 26% currently.
Over 200 companies have taken space at the show including British Airways, who do not go to World Travel Market, at one end of the scale, to budget airlines typified by Air Berlin, FlyBe, VLM and Scot Airways. Air New Zealand will show its new flat bed, but don”t be confused into thinking that you are on a Virgin Atlantic stand, which is its usual large self and nearby. It is virtually the same pod style accommodation from the same supplier. Air China and new Gulf area carrier Etihad will be promoting their products too but business travellers more and more are finding airport transit hard work. One way around the problem is the use of a executive aircraft. Club328 will supply you with the aircraft and Los Angeles based Air Royale the specialist service. The major car rental companies will also be seen at Olympia, each one improving its service as the years go by. Eurostar and Virgin Trains will have stands. Jumeirah, at the top end, Millenium/Copthorne in the middle range, and Premier Travel Inn, a budget operator, are amongst those that take in the whole spectrum of hotel accommodation. Travel management companies are at Olympia in strength.
If you find walking around the stands tiring you can always take a rest by taking in a seminar or master class. The problem is that you might find yourself just as exhausted. Yes the lectures and discussions are stimulating but they are also taxing on the brain. Plan your day. Fit in show and talks. You will find it more than worthwhile.
http://www.businesstravelshow.com
PS. ABTN is always being asked the best way to Olympia, not the most accessible of places. The train runs direct from Gatwick and Watford and from Heathrow take the Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith and either walk, take a taxi or catch a bus. Olympia does have an Underground station but High Street Kensington is probably the best for the tube, with once again a choice of walking, taxi or bus.