UK firms plan to increase business travel

Two-thirds of UK firms plan to extend spending on enterprise journey by not less than 50 per cent over the subsequent 12 months, in accordance with analysis from company card firm American Specific. 

A survey of enterprise leaders and travellers additionally discovered that 42 per cent of SMEs have been trying to take extra enterprise journeys within the subsequent 12 months.

Greater than 80 per cent of firms believed that journey performed a key function in rising income, with 60 per cent planning to increase across the UK and 35 per cent eager to enter new worldwide markets.

A part of the rise in journey is coming from the necessity to join distant groups following the pandemic, with 73 per cent saying this was now a serious motive for enterprise journey and one-fifth already doing extra to deliver their groups collectively.

Different traits included the rise of “bleisure” journey post-Covid, with 31 per cent of staff bringing their companion or a member of the family on a enterprise journey. 

Most firms (79 per cent) have additionally elevated their concentrate on traveller wellbeing when on the street, which is simply as effectively as a result of that is turning into extra necessary for workers – 71 per cent stated they would depart their job if their employer didn’t prioritise their wellbeing throughout journeys.

Sustainability is turning into a much bigger concern for travellers with 71 per cent worrying concerning the environmental affect of their journeys and 78 per cent turning into extra aware of their carbon footprint when on the street. Round one-third of firms would love their enterprise journey to be “greener” however are usually not certain the best way to obtain this.

Hana Lear, vice chairman, company, UK card companies at American Specific, stated: “Companies had no alternative however to press pause on plenty of journey over the past two years and lean on digital alternate options to construct relationships with prospects and colleagues. 

“Our analysis reveals that enterprise journey and the worth of in-person connections in driving development go hand in hand.  

“Nevertheless, there’s clearly a renewed concentrate on your complete enterprise journey expertise to make sure each firms and staff maximise the worth of journeys.”