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Employees like business travelIs travel more of a motivation or a frustration for business travelers? According to the 941 travel managers surveyed for AirPlus International Travel Management Study 2015 in 24 countries worldwide, the answer is the former. Only 5 percent believe their travelers view travel as a frustra-tion, but 41 percent think travel is a motivation. However, a larger number still, 44 percent, believe the answer is partly both.
These responses provide important guidance to companies about managing travelers. The perceived enthusiasm for travel raises if not a red flag, then at least an amber one, stressing the need to ensure that employees only travel for sound business reasons.
A case for pre-trip validationHow can this filtering process be achieved? Artificially making travel more difficult than it already is to act as a deterrent is not the answer. As will be shown, there are already enough frustrations involved in travel, so adding new levels of discomfort (such as downgrading policy) might weaken duty of care and stop employees traveling when taking a trip would actually benefit the business.Instead, a better solution may be pre-trip validation. For many companies this has become a formal process, where bookings are automatically queued to senior management
for approval before ticketing. A less structured (but not necesarily less effective) alternative is to state in the travel policy that employees should consult their line manager before booking to confirm the trip has a worthwhile business purpose.
Overview
AirPlus International TravelManagement Study 2015Part 2What Motivates or Frustrates the Business Traveler
Thumbs up for business travel around the globe
44%
41%
5%
S W I T Z E R L A N D
Understanding new cultures The results here are naturally very similar to “Seeing new cities/coun-tries”, including higher figures for emerging markets. It is often said that travel broadens the mind, and multinational businesses need employees who are enthusiastic about exploring and engaging with a variety of cultures. But they need at the same time to ensure that meeting different people from different backgrounds remains a fortunate by-product of travel and does not become the main purpose.
elers and whether another eight factors frustrate travel. On average, 65 percent of respondents agreed with each of the motivational factors and 61 percent agreed with each of the frustrating factors.
Factors that motivate and frustrate travelersFurther questioning reveals travel managers may have underestimated how disruptive travel is for employees. Travel managers were subsequently asked whether seven factors motivate travel for trav-
What motivates a good tripHigh level of comfortSlightly fewer are motivated by their comfort level on trips than are frustrated by it (62 percent – see below). There is a fine line between the two: travel managers do not wish to make travel so uncomfortable that it deters employees from taking important business trips. On the other hand, if travel becomes too luxurious, it could encourage spurious journeys. Cultural attitudes appear particularly influential, with greater national variations than for almost any other factor.
Spending the weekend awayThe younger generation in today’s workforce has more of a culture of blurring work and leisure time than older employees. Therefore, allowing employees to add private time to their business trips could be increasingly important for recruitment and retention. Once again, however, vigilance is re quired to ensure employees do not contrive business trips to subsidize private travel plans.
Travel is seen as a status symbolStatus is undoubtedly a “bad” motivational factor, so it is reassuring to find it comfortably bottom of the list. However, the fact that one-third of travel managers recognize status as a motivation for some travelers is a reminder that travel can be an emotive, irrational purchasing decision. It strengthens the case for either formal or informal pre-trip approval to ensure unjusti-fiable trips are weeded out. This finding also emphasizes that some travel managers may face opposition to policy decisions which deprive travelers of status, such as requiring use of economy class, low-cost carriers or budget hotels. The detailed results show status is generally a much more significant issue outside North America and Western Europe.
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
Meeting colleagues in person There are some “bad” reasons that motivate travelers to take business trips, but encouragingly the number one motivational factor is a “good” reason with a sound business purpose. Employees need to meet face to face at least occasionally to boost innovation and corporate cohesion. In the compelling quest to contain costs, it can sometimes be forgotten that companies earn a return when they make an investment in travel. How much does the business gain when employees meet? A precise answer is impossible, but travel managers clearly perceive a value even if it cannot be quantified.
Good journey planningTravel managers also clearly understand the need to ensure smooth trip organization if travelers are to remain productive – and loyal to the man-aged travel program. Vital elements of that experience include providing user-friendly research and booking tools with all the relevant supplier options, and a convenient way to pay. If the company cannot provide such tools, then it faces major problems because today there are plenty of good planning tools available through consumer mobile and online channels. Travel managers can no longer rely on retaining traveler loyalty through strict policy enforcement alone. The managed program’s tools must be good enough to make travelers want to use them.
Seeing new cities/countries This is a less “good” incentive if it encourages some employees to book trips that are not totally necessary for business purposes. However, once again a balanced view is important. Travel is tiring and is often taken during employees’ personal time, such as evenings and weekends. If there weren’t some attractive as pects to travel, fewer employees might be prepared to do it. Seeing new places is rated more highly by travel managers in emerging markets, where travel remains more of a novelty.
Highest Average Lowest
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
Short-notice travel changesSince good travel planning was rated as a high motivational factor, it is unsurprising that disruptions to plans score highly as a frustration. Once again, travel disruption poses a challenge to employee productivity, not to mention a direct cost because travelers who have to re-book trips cannot buy the lowest-priced, non-amendable tickets.
Waiting timeThe findings here confirm other surveys that con sistently rank waiting and delays as the number one annoyance for travelers. It matters to their employers too, because even with mobile communications, travelers who spend more time en route aren’t optimizing productivity. The number one ranking is also a reminder why airlines’ premium class services are as important on the ground, where they are mainly concerned with minimizing waiting time, as they are in the air.
What frustrates a good trip
Lack of comfort on tripsMore travel managers believe the level of comfort they give travelers is a frustration for travel than a motivation (55 percent). It is certainly important to ensure travelers are not too uncomfortable, otherwise it could affect not only duty of care but also employee recruitment and retention.
Time away from friends/familyPerhaps more than any other, the high score for this category reminds travel managers that business travel can be genuinely stressful for employees. Time away from home acts as a natural deterrent to booking unnecessary travel for many, although for a small minority it may have the opposite effect!
Not enough time at destinationThis frustration is understandable, and again can act as a natural deterrent to unnecessary business trips. However, the fact that 72 percent believe the opposite (time away from home) is also a frustration shows it can be hard to keep everyone happy when it comes to business travel.
Local language barriersIt is not surprising to find this concern ranks low on the list of frustrations. Foreign language skills have improved in many countries in recent years, and online translations have also reduced the challenge.
Unfamiliar cultureAnother unsurprisingly low score given that 61 percent consider experiencing new cultures a motivational factor. However, culture clashes can be genuinely frustrating. For example, Western Europeans usually like to proceed straight to business whereas in the Middle East and other regions, visitors are expected to socialize at length before discussing commercial matters.
Long journey timesLong-haul travel has increasingly accounted for a higher proportion of business trips in recent years, so lengthy journey times may be a growing problem. The high score for this factor is a warning of the morale risks attached to saving money through making travelers fly indirectly – unless the traveler can journey in business class.
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
ment has always been about balancing minimization of cost with maximization of traveler comfort. If travel managers acknowledge travelers are frustrated, that means they have to find more effective solutions without compromising their drive to keep costs down.
Balancing costs with traveler comfortThe conclusion is that some travel managers do not instinctively recognize the frustrations of travel, but begin to appreciate the difficulties travelers face once they consider the issue more closely. Perhaps this is an understandable response. Travel manage-
Highest Average Lowest
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
100%Australia, France,
India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil100%
Australia, France,India, Spain
61%China
100%France, Turkey
87%Global
average
68%Singapore
98%UK, USA
88%Global
average
69%China
97%Mexico
70%Globalaverage
50%Netherlands,Scandinavia
89%Brazil
69%Global
average
49%Belgium
93%Mexico
55%Globalaverage
32%Canada
89%Australia
51%Globalaverage
32%Netherlands,Scandinavia 65%
Russia
34%Globalaverage
18%Australia
87%Global
average
100%India
100%Brazil
43%Russia
76%Global
average
94%South Africa
39%Italy
72%Global
average
100%India, Mexico,
Singapore
43%Russia
70%Global
average
13%Australia
62%Global
average
89%Mexico
14%Russia
59%Global
average
80%India
13%Netherlands
33%Globalaverage
8%Netherlands
29%Globalaverage
63%Brazil
88%
74%65%
91%
60%
74%
74%
71%
Swiss executives enjoy travelLooked at in their totality, Swiss travel managers’ answers to questions about motivation and frustra-tion sugest that Swiss executives enjoy their business trips. The first clue is that 36 percent of Swiss travel managers believe employees in their company consider travel as more of a motivation. Although that figure is 5 percent below the global average, it is also 5 percent higher than the Western European average.
Is there anything wrong with Swiss travelers liking travel? No, because businesses need their execu-tives to get on the road and make things happen, whether it is through sales, research & develop-ment, training or improving team management. However, companies also need to make sure there is no travel simply for the sake of travel.
46%
36%3%
How do you believe your business travelers view their business trips?
What motivates Swiss travelersSwiss travel managersʼ opinions depart significantly from the global norm in the following ways:
What frustrates Swiss travelersSwiss travel managers’ opinions depart significantly from the global norm in the following ways:
> The Swiss regard waiting time as less frustrating
> The Swiss regard schedule changes as less frustrating
> The Swiss regard lack of time at the destination as more frustrating
> The Swiss regard local language barriers and unfamiliar cultures as less frustrating
Once again, the picture which emerges is that Swiss travel managers consider their executives enthusiastic, unfussy travelers. They are more willing to tolerate waiting and delay, and enjoy unfamiliar environments, but become frustrated if they don’t have enough time to explore an interesting destination they have taken the time and trouble to reach.
Surprising discrepancies in comparison with Western EuropeIf you compare the answers of the Swiss travel managers with their counterparts from the Western European countries, there are a number of discre-pancies that may be quite surprising.
> Swiss travelers are more interested than the average in spending a weekend at their desti-nation. In this regard, they are 9% above the western European average. They are quite happy, however, to go without comfort. Here, the difference is 13 percentage points in the other direction.
> Swiss travelers complain more often than the average about a lack of time on business trips. They are quite relaxed, however, about waiting times – at least compared with other business travelers from Western Europe.
79%
60%51%
+9%49%
62%
-13%
+5%
71%66%
-11%
79%90%
Are the following a motivational factor for travelers? (Percentage who answered yes)
> The Swiss regard good journey planning as more motivational – in fact, for them it is the primary cause of a good trip
> The Swiss regard seeing new cities/countries as more motivational
> The Swiss regard high levels of comfort as less motivational
> The Swiss regard weekend stays at the destination as more motivational
> The Swiss regard the symbolic status of business travel as more motivational
So, provided a journey is well planned, Swiss travel managers believe their travelers are less interested in how they get to a destination than what they enjoy when they get there. In particular, it would appear Swiss travelers like using their private time to explore new places. This can be a win-win for the travel manager too: for example, long-haul flights are often cheaper if a Saturday night stay is included. However, it is important for compliance purposes to create clear policies and processes around how and when employ-ees can add leisure time to business trips.
Are the following a frustrating factor for travelers? (Percentage who answered yes)
CanadaUK
Russia
GermanyNetherlands
Austria
Scandinavia(Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden)
USA
Mexico
France
Spain
Brazil
Belgium
Switzerland
Italy
Turkey
India
China
Singapore
South Africa
Australia
70%
55%
60%
50%
44%
53%
47%
65%
62%
48%
50%
67%
49%
57%
49%
46%
53%
64%
50%
67%
43%
AirPlus International AGObstgartenstrasse 278302 KlotenSwitzerland
T + 41 (0)43 210 37 50F + 41 (0)43 210 37 [email protected]
Attitudes vary worldwideThere are significant geographic variations in attitudes towards motivation and frustration. Generally, the mature travel markets of Western Europe (54 percent) and North America (51 percent) are much more likely to view business trips as a mixture of the two when compared with Asia-Pacific (35 percent) and Latin America (28 percent). Emerging markets generally regard travel as more of a motivation, especially India (70 percent) and Mexico and Brazil (both 67 percent).
Frustration in ChinaThe major exception to the mature/emerging market split is China, where only 26 percent consider travel a motivation, and 21 percent see it as a frustration – far higher than any other country in the study. Air travel in China has become notoriously difficult over the past few years, with the country’s airports regularly returning the worst figures for punctuality. In recent months, there have been many cases of air rage in China caused by lengthy delays.
Size countsAttitudes also vary according to size. In companies with a low travel spend, 44 percent believe travelers consider business trips a motivation, but this figure falls to 40 percent for companies with a medium spend, and 31 percent for those with a high spend.
Travel is ... more of a motivation.
partly motivation, partly frustration.
more of a frustration.
The exception in emerging markets: China
44%
26%
21%
About the study: The survey was conducted between September and October 2014 by the international market
research company 2hm on behalf of AirPlus International. A total of 941 individuals responsible for travel
management within their company were surveyed in 24 countries around the globe.
