Business travel looks to be on the rise in 2011

Despite a continued push by businesses to drive down costs, corporate travel is expected to rise in 2011, according to a study by travel management solution company GetThere.

The GetThere Corporate Travel Benchmark Survey found Asia to be leading the resurgence in business travel, with 54 per cent of respondents in the East expecting an increase in demand in 2011.

Following Asia with 47 per cent was North America, Europe and Latin America with 37 per cent each and finally the Middle East with 29 per cent.

Although 61 per cent of respondents are expecting their travel budgets to increase by up to ten per cent in 2011, the survey found businesses are able to rein in costs by adopting online travel booking tools like GetThere, who announced an increase in its online adoption rate for the tenth consecutive year.

“Even though the economy is rebounding and business travel is growing, corporations are using the lessons learned during the recession to continue to push for cost savings in their travel programs,” GetThere Asia-Pacific managing director Grant Rattray said.

As airlines continue to introduce fees, more corporations are addressing ancillary extras in their travel policies in 2011, with on-board food and beverage and Wi-Fi reimbursements increasing by 13 and 20 percentage points respectively, according to the survey.

Additionally, it was revealed that most companies are reimbursing travellers for their first checked bag.

“Ancillary fees are here to stay and corporations are developing smart, thoughtful travel policies for these extras that maximize travel budgets and meet employees’ needs while on the road,” Mr Rattray said.

“On-board Wi-Fi is clearly viewed as a valuable productivity tool by more and more corporate travel managers.”