Business travellers back on the move

Business travel was on the rebound in 2003 according to the latest report from Barclaycard. The survey undertaken by Barclaycard questioned 2,500 UK-based business travellers about their travel in 2003. According to the report 47% said they travelled more in 2003 than 2002. Only 24% travelled less in 2003, and 28% travelled the same amount. Simon Chick from Company Barclaycard said: “The survey results show an overall trend for business travellers to change the way they travel, rather than cutting back on the amount of business travel itself. This is a pattern that the business travel market needs to be aware of if it is to replicate the success of 2003.” The company said that costs were not inhibiting travel – 26% of those travelling less were doing so because of technology that enabled them to have meetings with colleagues abroad, compared to 13% who said they were travelling less to cut costs. According to Barclaycard there is good news for UK businesses, as more of the business travel undertaken was to confirm new business (24%), rather than trying to generate it (19% compared to 26% in 2002). Days spent travelling for business has remained at an average 2.7 per week, and nights away from home has risen to 4.4 per month, up from 4.3. The survey also profiles the typical male (female) business traveller: 31-50 (younger), married with children (married less likely to have children), both have a managerial position with a turnover in excess of £100million.