Travel forecast: Business travel costs will rise in 2009 | usatoday.com
Business travelers will spend more in 2009 on their trips, but the rate of increase will be held in check by current economic conditions, says American Express in its annual global business travel forecast released today. The average cost per domestic trip in North America will increase by 1.2% to $1,002 in 2009, the company estimates. Last year, American Express estimated a 3.9% increase for 2008. The average cost per international trip for North American business travelers will increase by 3.5% to $3,452. Last year, American Express estimated a 7.8% increase for 2008. "Travel costs will not change significantly in 2009," says Hervé Sedky, vice president of American Express, Global Advisory Services.
