Business travellers are increasingly building in “booking buffers” at the start or end of their trips because they’re worried about schedule changes or cancellations, a new study says.
A SAP Concur study says 88% of travellers have been forced to make last-minute changes in the past year because of unexpected delays, cancellations, or the need to re-route. Eighty percent said they opt to add “booking buffers” on one or both ends of the trip to counteract unexpected schedule changes.
“This frustrating cycle discourages business travel altogether,” the study’s authors said after surveying 3,750 travellers and 600 travel managers around the world.
Business Travel News Europe reports the study found 42% of travel managers said company directives to cut travel costs will make their job more difficult this year.
“The current economic environment is driving tension among business travellers, travel managers, and company leadership,” said Concur Travel president Charlie Sultan.
The publication reported 91% of business travellers said their company has restricted options for blended travel (27%) as well as cut back on comfort-focused requests, such as staying overnight to avoid a long day of travel for a day trip (28%), paying more to get a nonstop flight or direct route (28%), booking business or premium class fares (27%), or allowing the use of taxis or ride-share apps rather than public transportation (27%).
AI WORRIES
The study found that 95% of travellers are open to using AI-enabled options when arranging travel, but there is a prevailing “wait and see” attitude. Fewer than one in ten are comfortable using AI-enabled options currently.
Eighty-nine percent of business travellers say they want more company support, including assurances for personal data protection, potential biases, and protection from repercussions if AI-assisted bookings contravene company policy.
SAFETY CONCERNS
Business travellers cite safety (44%) or political or social (35%) concerns about the destination as the most common reasons that would cause them to decline a business trip.
Many travel managers experience burnout due to the range of aggravating factors they must consider when planning and provisioning for business trips, the study said. A third feel like they are expected to take on a more strategic role without further training.
SUSTAINABILITY
More than a quarter of business travellers are willing to decline a business trip due to the environmental impact or the inability to choose sustainable options. On the other hand, 27% claim their company has cut back on paying more for sustainable travel options over the past 12 months.
More than one-third of travel managers say they face difficulties because they are expected to provide more sustainable travel options without an adequate budget.
UNEQUAL ACCESS
Two in three business travellers say that travel is critical for their career advancement. But the same proportion feel they haven’t received equal opportunity to travel compared to their colleagues.
Staff cite reasons for unequal access such as their level of seniority (19%), age (18%), and gender (11%).
