The number of companies which enjoy more than 70% compliance on their air travel policy is falling, according to BCD Travel.
Its Insight on Corporate Travel survey for 2008, found that the number of companies with 70% or more compliance dropped from 65% in 2007 to 57%.
But the survey also found that a growing number of companies were trying to enforce their travel policy as a way of cutting costs.
BCD's study found that 23% more companies had labelled their enforcement policy as "strict" or "moderate to strict."
In 2007, 36% of companies were in these categories but the 2008 figure rose to 59%.
Other major findings were:
* 74% of respondents (all BCD clients) said they reported to procurement, a 30% increase on 2007. But 60% of buyers said they felt they had no control over the number of trips taken.
* 97% said reducing costs was the main goal. Traveller safety and security and satisfaction were also cited as major objectives.
* 53% of buyers said travel demand would increase by the end of 2009
* 11% of companies have increased their usage of online booking tools
* 17% of companies said they faced challenges in sourcing and compliance on their hotel policy of low capacity in key markets
* 60% of buyers have full responsibility for the expense management process.
Mary Ellen George, general manager of Advito, BCD's independent consulting division, said: "Companies are focused on reducing their total cost of travel – but doing so in a way that balances their other top priorities of improving traveller satisfaction and maintaining traveller safety and security.
"To help support them in this task, they are reducing processing costs through increased usage of online booking tools; they are enhancing policy communication to travellers; and they are enforcing the use of preferred suppliers and the preferred agency."
* A closer look at the BCD study will appear in next week's BTE Analysis.