Signs point to business travelers again packing their suitcases:
—The Washington Post reports that United Airlines joined other big airlines by saying that it’s seeing a bump in demand for last-minute tickets – the priciest kind typically purchased by business travelers.
—A new survey of travel agents suggests that business travel bookings in 2010 will at least match – if not exceed – last year’s levels, according to Reuters.
—The Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) agreed in a survey that the business travel industry is set to have a stable year in 2010 with almost two thirds of respondents reporting increased or more travel spending.
Dale Eastlund, a travel consultant with CWT Solutions, told the Washington Post that business travel isn’t bouncing back to pre-recession levels – but it is gradually improving.
"Because so many companies cut back last year on travel, going into this year there’s a significant amount of pent-up demand for businesses to get out there and meet with their customers,” he said.
By David Wilkening
