Travel survey reveals struggle for flexibility, costs, & safety

New research from SAP Concur has highlighted the complexities businesses face in maintaining effective business travel amid the ongoing challenges of remote work. According to the 2024 Global Business Travel Survey, which examined the experiences of 3,750 business travellers and 600 travel managers globally, there are significant trends and challenges that organisations must navigate.

Travel managers reported feeling unappreciated, unsupported, and overburdened, with many considering seeking new opportunities in the next year. Those planning to stay highlighted a need for change, stressing that business travellers now expect greater flexibility. Jonathan Beeby, managing director of SAP Concur Australia and New Zealand, stated, "Despite the relief AI can offer, many travel managers find it difficult to adopt these tools due to insufficient training."

One major issue identified is the tension between travel flexibility and cost management. Survey results indicated that 91 per cent of business travellers globally and 89 per cent from Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) have seen reductions in travel flexibility over the past year. Travellers report fewer overnight stays, more indirect flights instead of non-stop options, and limits on combining personal travel with business trips to manage costs. Business travellers in ANZ now tend to book extra time to counteract potential travel disruptions, highlighting an area where better travel policies could make a significant impact. Beeby observed that "balancing cost management with traveller needs is achievable" and suggested approving overnight stays and offering non-stop flight options as potential solutions.

The survey also identified safety and wellbeing as top priorities for business travellers. Globally, 44 per cent of travellers cited safety concerns as a reason for reducing business trips, with 37 per cent reflecting this sentiment in ANZ. Political and social issues were also noted, with 35 per cent of global and 36 per cent of ANZ respondents considering these factors in their travel decisions. Beeby suggested that ensuring traveller safety could be managed through "proactive measures," such as providing detailed safety guidelines for high-risk destinations and offering real-time updates on political and social conditions.

Sustainability is another critical factor influencing travel decisions. According to the survey, 27 per cent of global and 28 per cent of ANZ business travellers are willing to decline trips due to environmental concerns. Additionally, 36 per cent of global travel managers and 39 per cent of ANZ travel managers struggle to meet sustainability goals because of budget constraints. Beeby emphasised that "aligning sustainability initiatives with budget constraints is possible" and recommended strategies such as implementing carbon offset programs and encouraging eco-friendly transportation options.

The role of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in streamlining travel management emerged as another key area in the survey. There is a substantial openness to AI-enabled booking options, with 95 per cent of business travellers globally and in ANZ willing to explore these tools. However, comfort with using these tools remains low, with fewer than one in ten globally, and only four per cent in ANZ, currently comfortable using AI options. Beeby pointed out that "adopting AI tools can enhance travel management efficiency," advocating for comprehensive training and ensuring data privacy to make these tools more accessible.

Business travellers are increasingly bypassing organisational policies to ensure their safety and maintain work-life balance, indicating a need for companies to update their travel policies in line with these expectations. The survey results suggest that leveraging spend management and sustainable travel tools, alongside aligning corporate travel policies with employee needs, could effectively support travel managers in adapting to the changing landscape of business travel.