ITM research reveals 30% cut
Green issues and new technology could cut travel by up to 30%, new research by the UK and Ireland Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM) has found.
A poll of travel buyers found that the environment is likely to produce a 12% cut in travel in the long term.
It also found that alternatives to travel, like telepresence and video conferencing, could further cut the number of trips by 18%.
The research also found that buyers who consolidated their travel and meetings programme made savings of 17%.
So far ITM found that 31% of buyers had combined programmes.
It also found that 80% already manage or intend to manage within two years communications technology as well as travel.
ITM said the research aimed at identifying the specific drivers of corporates' policy towards travel.
Paul Tilstone, Chief Executive of ITM, said: "With an estimated total impact of environment and technology reaching 30% in reduced demand over the next 10 years, the converged management of communication technology with travel and meetings seems inevitable.
"The likely impact on the supply of these sectors is yet to materialise in any clear form at a time when survival is the name of the game, but when revenues return real change can be expected."
The research also looked prices suppliers were offering, including rail companies and airlines.
Respondents said that rail operators needed to red cue their fares "significantly" to ensure they were competitive.
The buyer also said that they expected to make less use of travel management companies and hotel booking agencies in the coming years.
Colin Goldney, managing director of ITM's research partner, Argate, said: "It is interesting to see pricing coming under further scrutiny when you might expect the present conditions to have caused these to bottom out.
"When you stand these results against the research undertaken at the beginning of the year it does support other evidence we are seeing that buyers are looking to drive traffic on-line and to automate processes as much as possible."
www.itm.org.uk