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  • Posted by Jason Hensel at
    12:00AM 02/13/2013 • 0 Comments

    Study Finds Road Warriors Are Social

    Today's business travelers are surprisingly social on the road, according to a recent survey by Four Points by Sheraton. Aside from sleeping, for instance, survey respondents indicated that enjoying the hotel bar or restaurant with colleagues or business partners was their No. 1 activity during free time, outpacing time spent in the gym, spa, shopping or catching up with local acquaintances. In addition, business travelers are good networkers, with nearly two-thirds of those surveyed reporting that they have kept in contact with someone they met on the plane or at the hotel while traveling on the road. About that flight, though: business travelers draw the line with their own colleagues, as more than 60 percent indicate that they would prefer to fly alone rather than with a business associate.

    These are among the results of a 2012 hotel business travel study commissioned by Four Points that polled a total of 6,000 business travelers globally—1,000 each from the U.S., the U.K., China, India, Germany and Brazil. The first phase of the survey, released in August, explored the use of mobile technology to stay in touch while traveling, while the second phase focused on leisure activities.

    "Business travelers have a real need to connect on the road—both virtually and in person," said Brian McGuinness, Starwood's senior vice president of specialty select brands. "Our survey results reveal that road warriors are social, preferring to network or to relax in the company of colleagues rather than just enjoying solitary pursuits."  

    Key findings include

    • During their waking hours, business travelers frequent the hotel restaurant or bar with colleagues more than other activities. Aside from sleeping, which, not surprisingly, is the activity that occupies the largest share of travelers' time at a hotel, hanging out at the hotel bar or restaurant with colleagues or business partners is the top ranked activity on the road. The largest share of respondents (42.88 percent) named this activity, outpacing other pursuits such as going to the gym (38.97 percent) or spa (37.54 percent) or shopping (34.16 percent). 
    • By a wide margin, business travelers confirm they stay in touch with contacts whom they've met on a flight or at a hotel. 64.42 percent of respondents indicated that they had stayed in touch with someone they had met on a plane or at a hotel while traveling, vs. 35.58 percent who said they had not. 
    • Business travelers prefer separate flights. They may be happy to toss back a brew with a co-worker once they arrive at their hotel, but the majority of business travelers (61.13) report that they would rather not share their flight with a colleague. 

    Differences by nationality:

    • Americans are the most frequent business travelers. American business travelers hit the road more often than their international counterparts, with more than a third (36.36 percent) reporting that they average more than 10 trips per year for business. Conversely, Chinese travelers were the least likely to average more than 10 annual trips with only 7.07 percent of respondents at that level. 
    • Chinese and Indian business travelers socialize more. Chinese business travelers are the most receptive to sharing a flight with a co-worker (49.5 percent), and a full 70 percent have stayed in touch with someone they met on the road. Indian road warriors are the most likely to hang out with colleagues at a bar or restaurant (61.05 percent) and the most likely to catch up with friends who live in town (52.63 percent). 
    • Brazilians go it alone. At 31 percent, Brazilians are the least open to traveling with a colleague, with 53.62 percent reporting that they don't want to have to worry about anyone else. They are also the least likely to hang out with colleagues at a bar or restaurant (30.93 percent). 

    Four Points by Sheraton Survey Reveals the Social Habits of Business Travelers



  • Posted by Jason Hensel at
    12:00AM 01/21/2013 • 0 Comments

    USTA Set to Prove Travel is Good for You

    The U.S. Travel Association is launching “Travel Effect,” a multiyear, multimillion-dollar advocacy and awareness campaign to establish the link between travel and its effect on relationships, education, business and communities .

    “What we’ve long known anecdotally, we will now prove through authoritative research: travel has a positive effect on health, relationships, business performance and the well-being of communities,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “Travel Effect will take new research and drive earned media to communicate travel’s benefits to the U.S. economy, to local communities, and to good health, strong families and an improved quality of life.”

    At Travel Effect’s core are research projects and studies that will demonstrate the indispensable benefits travel brings to people’s lives, their careers and their communities. Current research underway examines travel’s effect on relationships and its power to create lasting memories for children and adults. Additional projects include measuring the bottom-line impact of business travel and the impact of government meetings on government operations, private-sector development and local communities.

    The campaign will employ both earned and paid media to convey research findings, with an emphasis on social media. Research findings and more information will be available at www.traveleffect.com. Additionally, state and district data that provide key travel impact measurements formerly available on poweroftravel.org will be on the Travel Effect website.

    Travel Effect’s first research project of 2013, a study on the effect travel has on relationships, will be released in February.



  • Posted by Jason Hensel at
    12:00AM 01/18/2013 • 0 Comments

    Business Travel Confidence on the Rise

    Business travel spending growth slowed through the tail end of 2012 as companies postponed critical investment decisions until after the U.S. presidential election and Congressional debate on the fiscal cliff. However, the business travel forecast for 2013 should be more positive, provided there is continued easing of economic and political uncertainty—presenting an early indication of greater corporate confidence in spending decisions.

    According to the GBTA BTI Outlook - United States 2012 Q4, a report from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) sponsored by Visa Inc., U.S. business travel spending is expected to rise 4.6 percent in 2013 to US$266.7 billion, on a slight -1.1 percent decline in trip volume to 431.8 million person-trips for the year. The key factors in 2013 business travel spending growth are projected to be:

    • Increasing international outbound travel spending—projected to rise 5.9 percent
    • Increasing group travel spending—projected to rise 5.2 percent
    • Very modest price inflation—indicating that companies will be spending more real dollars on business trips.

    Spending growth in 2013 should begin modestly, at 2.0 percent in Q1 and 2.9 percent in Q2, and then pick up the pace with rates of 6.4 percent in Q3 and 7.2 percent in Q4. 

    “Even with an agreement to avert the fiscal cliff in the near-term, there are still many issues that need to be addressed; however, companies should now have somewhat greater confidence in their spending decisions,” said Michael W. McCormick, GBTA executive director and COO. “While companies will approach the first half of the year with some caution, pent-up demand to get back on the road should hopefully fuel accelerating growth in business travel spending through the end of 2013.”

    At the close of 2012, annual U.S. business travel spending is estimated by GBTA to have grown 1.6 percent to $254.9 billion, on a -1.9 percent decline in trip volume to 436.5 million person-trips. The spending increase was mainly due to rising travel rates. 

    This increase in spending for 2012 was also a downgrade from GBTA’s previous forecast of 2.6 percent last quarter, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty of the fiscal cliff debate and the economic impact of Hurricane Sandy.

    International Travel to Strengthen

    Previously a strong driver of overall business travel spending growth, international outbound business travel stumbled badly in 2012, growing just 0.7% as challenges in the Eurozone impacted trade and business confidence, causing a ripple effect that reached the shores of the U.S. and Asia.

    Although the Eurozone remains troubled, increasing industrial production and retail sales in China signal an improving economy for 2013. Among other factors, a stronger China will improve U.S. export growth and help act as an engine for international outbound business travel. As a result, GBTA expects to see a 5.9 percent rise in international outbound spending for the year.

    Group Travel to Rebound

    Group travel had a very challenging 2012, with spend rising just 1.3 percent for the year. This year should bring a welcome turnaround to the group travel market. GBTA forecasts that group travel spending will rebound nicely, with 5.2 percent growth for the year as the broader economy recovers. 

    “The projections that we see for both international and group travel are encouraging,” McCormick said. “Businesses will be looking to capitalize on growth opportunities abroad and spend more on in-person meetings and events as well. By nature, meetings are longer-lead investments that require greater confidence in the future.”

    Download our latest Business Barometer to learn more about current industry trends and predictions.

    (Story materials from GBTA.)



  • Posted by Michael Pinchera at
    12:00AM 07/02/2012 • 0 Comments

    Live, Streaming, In-flight, Multi-channel TV

    Because in-flight Wi-Fi somehow isn't enough, Southwest plans to offer live TV options to passengers in up to 250 of their planes by the end of the year.

    Jaunted reports channel offerings will include NBC Sports, MLB, NFL Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News and Fox Business News and maybe more.

    Interestingly, Southwest has no plans on installing video screens. That means, presumably, this service will only be available to passengers with Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

    Image (CC) Drewski2112



  • Posted by Michael Pinchera at
    12:00AM 06/18/2012 • 2 Comments

    This is Annoying

    Expensive Internet access is the greatest annoyance for business travelers, according to the latest FlyerTalk/Frequent Business Traveler survey.

    And “weak/slow Internet” ranks No. 3 on the list.

    Internet “entitlement” outweighs such heavies as “Noise from neighboring room, hallway, elevator, or facilities” and water pressure/temperature issues.

    It should be no surprise, of course, since we’re Internet-reliant creatures, especially when on the road.

    See the complete list of business traveler annoyances.


  • Posted by Marj Atkinson at
    12:00AM 05/23/2012 • 0 Comments

    European Debt Crisis


    In Global Business Travel Association's (GBTA) recent special edition of their Business Travel Quarterly Outlook - United States (BTQ-US),

    they tested three European debt scenarios on U.S. business travel. Of the mild, moderate, and severe (meltdown) scenarios, findings and predictions indicate there is an increasing possibility that we are heading for at least the moderate scenario. If true, this will hurt U.S. business travel more than you might think.


    According to the study, "while we all have an anecdotal sense that a serious and protracted European debt crisis would be adverse for U.S. business travel, our approach provides specific measures of just how serious a threat this could be."

    The findings indicate the impact on the U.S. economy and business travel, as well as spending from Eurozone debt problems; the prediction of a mini-recession in the Eurozone, which will impact business travel; and severe scenarios that predict business travel losses "not seen since the Great Recession".

    They urge vigilance in watching the various European governments, primarily Italy and Greece and the possibility of deepening the European debt, which will impact U.S. business travel and U.S. economic recovery, including the stock and bond market, global lending, credit availability, impact on U.S. corporations with European ties and operations and impact on "export-driven developing economies" (Brazil, China) as well.

    Source: GBTA Foundation 2012 Business Travel Outlook - European Debt Crisis Scenario


  • Posted by Jason Hensel at
    12:00AM 11/29/2011 • 0 Comments

    Business Leaders Applaud APEC Travel Card

    Business leaders recently welcomed new legislation giving U.S. citizens access to the APEC Business Travel Card scheme, a crucial tool for business travel in the Asia-Pacific region.

    U.S. President Barack Obama signed the bill before addressing business executives at the APEC CEO Summit earlier this month in Honolulu, Hawaii, describing the scheme as an “APEC business gold card.”

    The law allows U.S. business people to apply for the card, increasing their mobility by expediting scheduling of visa interviews and fast-tracking processing at immigration checkpoints in APEC economies throughout the region.

    “I just signed a piece of legislation that was voted on unanimously out of Congress that essentially sets up an APEC business gold card,” Obama said. “Everybody here appreciates it because they're not going to have to wait in line as long at the airport."

    Deb Henretta, chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), welcomed the new law which “will help U.S. citizens take advantage of business and trade opportunities in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region.”

    Rich Lavin, group president of Caterpillar, says the law “is good news for U.S. business people as they travel in the region, working to expand into Asia-Pacific markets and business opportunities for their companies.” 

    The scheme facilitates business travel in the Asia-Pacific by allowing cardholders pre-cleared immigration entry into the 18 fully participating member economies, eliminating the cost and time involved obtaining visas, and expedited transit through special fast-track lanes at major airports and seaports in all 21 economies.

    Currently, the United States fast-tracks card holders via special lanes at immigration checkpoints. The new legislation, which passed the US Congress earlier this month, allows US business people to apply for the cards for reciprocal rights in the region. 

    More than 100,000 active cardholders currently enjoy these benefits and the APEC business community’s interest in the scheme continues to grow. 



  • Posted by Jason Hensel at
    12:00AM 08/02/2011 • 0 Comments

    Today's Business Traveler

    Business travelers increasingly use technology to make travel more productive but also to stay in touch with those back home, says a new research study recently released by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) that also outlines different types of road warriors. Looking across all travelers, a strong majority (79 percent) noted they commonly bring technology on their trips to stay in touch with their family and friends. At least two-thirds bringing laptops, wireless broadband, portable GPS and smart phones also utilizing mobile travel apps, among other tools.

    The "Business Traveler Market Segmentation Study" survey findings show that

    • A majority of business travelers report there is no substitute for being there in person (78 percent), and enjoy traveling for work (78 percent).
    • Almost half of business travelers report that staying in touch on the road with family and friends (46 percent) and staying safe (46 percent) while traveling are the most important goals on trip.
    • Nearly half (46 percent) have to work under tight budgets, putting pressure on their travel plans.
    • The average trip lasts four days and costs US$1,837.
    • Business travelers tend to be college-educated (71 percent), 38 years old on average and male (59 percent).

    “The more we know about the business traveler of today in the myriad of developments across the industry, the better we can develop strategies to help them make the most of each trip," said Joe Bates, director of research for the GBTA Foundation. "Companies wisely invest in travel and this research will help them better cater to the needs of varying traveler types. They will be able to determine what they need to be experts on the road and also be stewards of travel for their companies, making every dollar invested and every meeting even more beneficial and productive.” 

    The study also identified five segments of travelers in the market today: The veteran (33 percent), road weary (25 percent), wide-eyed and anxious (21 percent), passionate high-tech (14 percent) and new recruits (7 percent) based on their travel goals, characteristics, technology usages and demographics.



  • Posted by Jason Hensel at
    12:00AM 06/30/2011 • 4 Comments

    Women Business Travelers' Wants

    The number of women business travelers has been growing rapidly, and for 40 years, hotel operators have attempted to discern and meet the needs of this specific group, usually by looking at the features and amenities offered by the hotel. A new study by Cornell School of Hotel Administration Professor Judi Brownell proposes a more holistic approach that takes into account the overall emotional effect of clusters of features and amenities. 

    "When hotel operators ask what women want, the answer is not so much specific features as it is an overall outcome relating to how the experience makes them feel," Brownell said. "In this context, we have found that women want to feel secure, comfortable, empowered and valued. When I tested this insight in a model, the result was clusters of amenities and features that contributed to these critical affective outcomes."

    To fill a gap in existing research, Brownell conducted a survey of hotel managers to determine their perceptions of what women business travelers sought in a stay. The managers rated safety as a top concern. As an example, specific features that contribute to a feeling of safety include covered parking, secure locks, well-lit hallwaysand thoughtful room locations.

    "Over time, I believe we are seeing a greater industry consensus on how to serve this rapidly growing market segment," Brownell said. "What is clear is that the overall emotion or affect is more important than a particular amenity or hotel feature."



  • Posted by Marj Atkinson at
    12:00AM 06/02/2011 • 1 Comments

    Too Tall to Fly?

    According to Brett Snyder, CNN.com's travel columnist, airline legroom is an elusive thing, as most of you tall folks may well know.  Even short people like me have legroom issues when flying, so I can't imagine how uncomfortable it is for tall people. 

    There isn't really a good way to know which seats are the best for legroom, as most airlines don't publish that information. They only list "seat pitch" dimensions, which is the "distance between one point on a seat and that same point on the seat behind. If you start measuring at the front of the seat bottom cushion, then you would stop at the front of the cushion in the seat behind (or in front, for that matter)."  Confused?  Even with this knowledge, there are no actual legroom measurements, so it's hard to know.  

    Some airlines in general have more legroom than others (JetBlue, Southwest, some Delta planes). Some airlines are also starting to charge for extra legroom. So good luck trying to find the best legroom-friendly airline for your next trip. He recommends checking the seat maps (which may or may not be helpful) or checking with the gate agent. 



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