Business Traveler Attitudes about Travel Management Revealed in New Study

Overall, more than nine out of ten business travelers report that cost savings (93%) and traveler satisfaction (94%) are important with regards to travel management at their organization. However, according to all survey respondents more than half of companies (55%) still do not have a strategic managed travel program in place.

Executive Travelers Identify Travel Management Opportunities

The survey findings highlight a number of opportunities for managed travel programs from the Executive Traveler standpoint:

• Nearly half (48%) feel that professional travel management is important.
• More than a third (36%) said that travel management is more important now than it was two years ago.
• Almost half (54%) believe their companies have not yet quantified the money saved by travel management policies; another 19% are unsure if their organization tracks these figures.

Staff Travelers Largely in Compliance With Travel Policies

The survey also took the pulse of current trends in managed travel from the Staff Traveler perspective:

• A large majority (70%) reported that travel policies within their organization are communicated very or somewhat clearly
• Almost all (90%) "always" or "usually" comply with travel policies.
• About half (52%) feel their company's travel policies have remained about the same compared to 12 months ago, and another 44% believe they have become stricter.

"There is no question that a strategic managed travel program makes it possible for companies to efficiently budget and use all of their resources to reach their travel objectives and foster business relationships," said Joe Bates, director of research, GBTA Foundation. "There is a growing premium on successful travel programs, especially during a period where companies need to invest in travel to bolster revenues. Companies will be better positioned for success utilizing all of the knowledge and best practices available, such as implementing a travel management program

"At the same time the CEO is working to manage travel costs, he recognizes the critical importance of supporting the employee in his travels. And the traveler recognizes the importance of budgets and policies to maximize company results. This synergy is especially relevant for a successful balance of revenue growth and cost management."

Janet Libert, editor in chief of Executive Travel Magazine said: "Since the survey's respondents are more interested in cost savings and customer satisfaction, there are many opportunities for companies to help business travelers meet and exceed these goals."

The full report is available exclusively to GBTA members and offers detailed insight for travel managers interested in the perspectives of C-level executives and travelers and current trends in business travel. http://www.gbta.org/Lists/Resource%20Library/Forms/Foundation_Research_and_Surveys.aspx

About the GBTA Foundation

The GBTA Foundation is the education and research foundation of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world's premier business travel and corporate meetings organization.

Collectively, GBTA's 5,000-plus members manage over $340 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA provides its network of 17,000 business and government travel and meetings managers, as well as travel service providers, with networking events, news, education & professional development, research, and advocacy. The foundation was established in 1997 to support GBTA's members and the industry as a whole. As the leading education and research foundation in the business travel industry, the GBTA Foundation seeks to fund initiatives to advance the business travel profession. The GBTA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, see gbta.org and gbtafoundation.org

About Executive Travel Magazine

Executive Travel magazine's mission is to spark ideas that inspire success. Published six times per year, Executive Travel provides its readers with relevant travel news and information, coupled with strategies and advice. Connect with Executive Travel on www.ExecutiveTravelMagazine.com, @executivetravel, and www.facebook.com/executivetravel. Executive Travel is published by the American Express Publishing Corporation, the leading publisher of luxury lifestyle magazines, which also publishes Travel + Leisure, FOOD & WINE, and Departures. The company also produces a variety of travel, cooking, wine, time management, and financial books and products, develops online content, operates luxury-market events, and creates custom print and online programs for clients. American Express Publishing is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Express Company.