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Business travellers shun agents
Advantage Travel Centres has admitted there is an “inherent reluctance” from corporate travellers to employ a travel agent despite the stresses and complexities of organising a business trip.
The consortium’s director of business travel Norman Gage said business travellers are more than happy to seek the services of other professionals but regard agents as an expensive luxury.
And he insisted the reluctance could be putting their health at risk.
“Travel is widely recognised as one of the most stress-inducing factors of business life,” he said. “While business travellers are more than happy to employ an accountant or lawyer, in many cases there seems to be an inherent reluctance to employ a travel agent, even though organising a safe, successful and stress-free business trip can be just as complicated as filing tax returns or dealing with legal affairs.”
He said small companies in particular don’t want to pay for expert advice.
The warning came as mental health charity Mind reported that 58% of UK employees suffer from work related stress with 13 million days lost in sick leave – costing UK business £100 billion.
In addition, a report from BT Openworld revealed 66% of UK executives are travelling more than two years ago with business trips regarded as “extremely stressful.”
“Large organisations usually have the manpower to cover for stress-related absenteeism but smaller companies don’t often have that luxury,” said Gage.
“To make matters worse, travel itself is becoming more complex. The phenomenal growth in travel websites, in air and rail services and in hotel accommodation options, make it even harder to make the right travel choices.”
Report by Steve Jones
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