Despite the fact that we continue to navigate COVID-19 with ever-changing travel restrictions, as well as new ways of working with hybrid-models increasingly becoming popular, business travelers revealed a very clear message: they are ready to travel again and are willing to embrace new technologies and share health data in order to do so.
Here are the top ten findings that will help us as an industry understand what business travelers want to rebuild business travel over the next year
Click here to read the findings, which also sheds light on the wants of leisure travelers and find out how Amadeus is rebuilding travel.
- The majority of business travelers are keen to hit the skies and roads again: A whopping 72% of business travelers are eager to travel.
- Business travel looks promising: 67% of travelers surveyed said they will be hopping on a flight for a business trip in the next year.
- Frequent travelers are already planning for next year: Over a quarter of business travelers (28% to be exact) are already planning at least two trips in the next year.
- Business is looking good in Europe: The Old Continent is the most popular region for business travel, with 37% of business travelers planning a trip to this region in the next year.
- Asia, North America and the Middle East are nearly tied when it comes to attracting business travelers: Between 28% and 24% are eyeing trips to these regions in the next year.
- COVID-19 is becoming less of a concern: Only 41% of business travelers are concerned about catching COVID-19 while traveling. However, self-isolation and quarantine restrictions are a deterrent for 38% of business travelers, and 35% are worried about last-minute cancellations caused by changing restrictions.
- It’s a yes to digital passports, but mostly for international travel: The majority of business travelers (67%) are willing to share their personal health data or use digital passports for international travel, but only 42% would share data for domestic travel. Only 5% of business travelers would not be willing to provide data for the effective use of digital health passports.
- Contactless service would motivate travelers: Contactless mobile payments would motivate 40% of business travelers to travel again in the next 12 months, and self-service check-ins and mobile boarding would boost the confidence of 39% of business travelers.
- Travelers don’t want any last-minute surprises: 42% of business travelers said they want mobile applications that provide on-trip notifications.
- Yes, sustainability really does matter: 46% of business travelers want more accessibility to green modes of transport, like electric vehicles, trains and planes, and 41% want more transparency around travel companies’ sustainability policies.
The results of this research show two things; firstly, that there is a huge opportunity to reinvent the employee experience and rethink the way we travel to a more sustainable, collaborative and smart travel experience. Secondly, this research signals that business travelers are ready to exchange video conferences for airport lounges and see technology as a key component of the recovery.
Amadeus is committed to supporting the industry do just this. In fact, we’re already working with customers and partners across the globe to transform the travel and payments experience to power better journeys for business travelers. We’re building the smartest, most connected corporate travel ecosystem in the world.
Business travel is better in real life. Join us and let’s rebuild business travel. Share your latest business travel experience with #RebuildBusinessTravel #BetterIRL and tag us @Amadeus.
