Low cost a turn-off for business travellers

Fewer than one in ten European business travellers regularly use low cost carriers for work trips with almost 50% never having stepped foot on them, according to a new survey.

The study conducted by Carlson Wagonlit into the behaviour of business travellers worldwide revealed a far from enthusiastic response to no frills airlines in Europe.

But they were welcomed far more in other parts of the world with 28% of Latin Americans using them more than 60% of the time and 16% of North Americans taking the low cost option more often than not.

The survey, which quizzed 2100 business travellers and 650 travel managers, also revealed that more than 83% of travel managers believe virtually all bookings will be made online within five years.

The regional breakdown saw 90% of Latin Americans predicting a mass migration to the web followed by Europe (87%), Asia Pacific (83%) and North America (81%).

CWT president and chief executive Hubert Joly said: “This enthusiasm for online booking is what we are experiencing with our own clients around the world.

“There is intense growth in Australia, where our online bookings are up 160% over last year, in Europe where they are 71% up and in the US where there’s an increase of 43%. Online is a key factor for those companies looking to save money in their travel programme.”

UK and Europe business travellers were more pessimistic than most about the sector’s prospects in 2006.

Almost half of Latin Americans believe business will increase this year, followed by 44% in Asia Pacific with only 32% of Europeans believing business will rise. Their pessimism was only beaten in North American where only 27% are expecting an upturn.

Overall, travel managers were more optimistic than travellers with 60% across the world expecting an increase.

Joly chose to interpret the figures in a positive light.

“Business travel is increasing,” he said. “This is a reflection of strong economic growth around the world and the globalisation of the economy and corporations.”

The survey also revealed that seven out of ten business travellers in Europe do not want to hear fellow travellers nattering on mobile phones during flights.

The feelings were echoed across the globe.

When it comes to pet hates meanwhile, Europeans get most annoyed about people taking too much heavy hand luggage onto flights while those in Asia Pacific can stand the noise of crying babies.

The Middle East meanwhile is the region most travellers say they are hesitant to travel to (74%), followed by Africa (53%), Latin America (46%), Asia Pacific (38%), Europe (22%) and North America (11%).