United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Business travel budgets face cutbacks
Friday, 09 Feb, 2009
0
Business travel budgets are being slashed with more than a third of buyers (38%) saying they have less to spend this year.
A poll of 170 business travel buyers commissioned by this week’s Business Travel Show in London also revealed that nearly two thirds (65%) are actively searching out cheaper air travel.
Two fifths (41%) are downgrading accommodation for travellers and 18% are swapping taxis for the Underground in London.
And 65% believe that there is another 12-24 months of recession ahead.
However, one fifth (21%) of buyers say the economic downturn will not affect the number of trips they buy and two per cent even claim they will be booking more travel.
When asked if the pressure to be environmentally friendly would impact on their business travel plans, just under half (49%) said no, proving that in many instances there really is no substitute to face to face meetings.
Business Travel Show event director David Chapple said: “I’m not surprised that the credit crunch is affecting business travel buyers.
“It certainly explains why their focus this year, more than ever before, is on getting the best value possible out of their budget. They need to re-evaluate suppliers, push for more from existing ones and put contracts out to tender.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel