Business travel is undergoing massive developments, bringing fresh and exciting new travel trends.
The ability to travel as part of work is becoming a key component of fulfilled work teams. Highly skilled workers see it as an increasingly attractive job perk.
So where does business travel stand now? This blog outlines current trends in work-related travel and casts an eye on where business travel is heading in the future.
Buckle up!
What does business travel do for companies?
Employees in a company with strong business travel policies are excited at the prospect of working while traveling. Organizations are using company retreats and “workations” to reinvigorate staff with a new flare for teamwork.
Many companies are focused on establishing dispersed, remote teams. As many as20%of all work in the US is now done remotely, but a lot of remote employees feel like they’re missing out on face-to-face interactions.
Business travel expenditure has risen steadily in the past decade, increasing in 2024 to$1.48 trillion, the highest level ever recorded. The trends are set to evolve through 2025 and beyond as companies rethink how travel can elevate organizational teamwork to its peak
What are the business travel trends of 2024 and beyond?
So what were the biggest travel trends in 2024, and what does the future for business travel look like?
Rising “bleisure” travel
The concept ofbleisuretravel is the blending of business trips with leisure time. We know the word sounds a little strange the first time you say it out loud, but its power and importance shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s becoming increasingly attractive to skilled employees, so if you want to stand out, you’ve got to get behind the movement.
A recentsurveyfrom TravelPerk highlights just how popular bleisure travel is. Over one-third of 1,000 surveyed workers said that traveling for work has made them more passionate about their jobs.
Younger workers in particular have expectations of on being able to travel and work.Researchshows that only 36% of Gen Z workers (aged 18 - 27) are currently satisfied with their current business travel schedule. This implies that actions are needed, or young talent might take action and look elsewhere.
So we’re expecting some momentous upward shifts in bleisure travel. This might be a wake-up call for many businesses that don’t currently have any work-travel opportunities for their staff. Getting ahead of the curve and adopting bleisure schedules for your teams will get you ready for a more-connected work future.
Destination “netzero”
It’s all well and good to increase the opportunities for traveling while working. Yet there is still a growing global emphasis on traveling sustainably.Future workplace trendsin business travel will likely be dominated by eco-friendly initiatives and travelinggreen.
Global business travel is set to rise, yet more people than ever are conscious of their impact on the planet. Experts estimate as much as8%of global carbon emissions are the result of the travel and tourism industries. Some business travelers are looking for other transport other methods to keep their carbon footprint as light as possible.
More business than ever are catching on to eco-friendliness, tweaking their travel policies to keep things green and meet what people really want. Net-zero business travel goes deeper than airplane carbon output, too. Some of the ways companies are getting behind net-zero business travel include:
- Prioritizing hotels with green certifications
- Using paperless travel itineraries and confirmations
- Choosing electric rental vehicles for travelers when available
- Using alternatives to air travel for international trips
Young, talented workers are highly aware of environmental issues, so they see sustainability as a top priority. Given a choice between eco-friendly and non-sustainable travel options, they’ll always go with green. Getting behind this movement now will plant your feet more firmly for the business requirements of the future.
Digital integration in business travel
Greener travel practices naturally lead to more digital integration in how we travel. One of the key overarching trends of recent years is how our devices are reshaping the way we book, plan, and engage while traveling. This shift isn’t slowing down, so you should get behind digital changes sooner rather than later.
One of the easiest principles to adopt is having more remote meetings. With a growing lineup of apps that simulate real meetings perfectly, canceled meetings or time spent commuting can become a thing of the past. ADoodle reportshows that 71% of workers lose time every week due to canceled meetings, and a virtual meeting attendee won’t have wasted valuable travel time.
Additionally, there’s a growing area ofresearchinto the integration of Digital IDs which may affect your company’s business travel practices. We expect a deeper relationship between large businesses and government bodies who issue IDs in the future, another factor for your organization to take into account
The expected effects of increased digitalization will impact the way your staff travel for business. Staying in the loop and sharing updates with your team keeps everyone ready for what’s next.
Improved security for business travelers
With business travel becoming more digital, we’re going to see an increasing priority on security for travelers alongside it. Traveler safety and well-being will be of growing importance for companies of the future.
Across the world, airport security systems are advancing their level of security. The United States already has238 airportsusing Biometric Facial Comparison Technology, and biometric ID looks set to steadily increase over the next few years. Speed and efficiency of boarding is improving and contact with surfaces is being minimized.
Another area to consider for the security and satisfaction of your staff is prioritizing their wellness. We’re all human, and while traveling for business can be exciting, there can also be times when it is overwhelming and stressful. At that point, having some well-being support systems lets them know you’ll go that extra mile to be there for them.
Small details can be optimized to keep your staff truly satisfied as they travel, including aspects like long layover times during flight transfers. Many airports now have cool “sleep zones” which are basically like small, secure pods that let people sleep as they await their next flight.
A few thoughtful measures to support and secure your employees on the road will go a long way, especially as business travel ramps up again. Keep them safe and comfortable, and they’ll feel supported enough to make the most of their trip.
Budgeting business travel strategies
With 2024 and beyond set to have skyrocketing business travel, companies need to get smart about travel budgets. We live in a time of economic uncertainty, and so more companies than ever are finding ways to keep their travel costs in check.
While there are more opportunities than ever for people to travel while working, the cost of travel for business certainly isn’t cheap. If your organization manages its own travel budget, you know the costs can pile up fast. Expenses can include:
- Corporate credit card charges
- Overseas car rentals
- Hotels and accommodation expenses
- Business meals
- Public transportation and commuting
Add fluctuating airfare prices to the mix, and it’s no wonder business travel gets so pricey. To keep on track, set clear spending guidelines for your traveling team.
One hack might be to get some leverage with company-preferred vendors to save more money. A reputable provider can help reduce costs. Alternatively, try a workplace rewards program, which can cut costs while giving employees some perks to their journey
So, anticipate changes in the amount of money (as well as time and effort) that you need to spend on business travel. Getting your costs down at the start of a curve is much more beneficial than scrambling to do it later.
ExpandingTravel Management Companies (TMCs)
As we highlighted, organizing business travel expenditures is no walk in the park. This is why more and more Travel Management Companies (TMCs) are stepping up to help.Corporate travel plannerscan be a great option for cutting costs in business travel. Travel management companies help your organization streamline the entire process.
TMCs are use advanced technology to give you insight into how you’re spending money. Their services include dashboards that show real-time spending insights, so you’re always in the know about where travel dollars are going.
Moreover, many TMCs are highly connected to travel companies that offer perks and bonuses for repeat customers. Not only do they wrangle the best prices on flights and hotels, but they’re already adapted to meet the changing needs of the business travel industry. They’ve prioritized a digital approach, are conscious of sustainability initiatives, and keep booking options flexible.
Expect to see even closer collaboration between businesses and TMCs in the future.Corporate travel plannersare ready to deal with increasing weather-related disruptions and the expectations of young workers entering the workforce.
partnering with a TMC could make business travel smoother, less costly, and more enjoyable for your team. It could be time to take the sting out of business travel expenses and hire third-party support. Consider this for true travel optimization!
Business travel as reward and enticement
With work travel becoming more common, why not turn it into an exciting reward system? Using travel as anextrinsic rewardcan motivate your top performers and create a unique learning opportunity.
For younger employees with their eyes set on seeing the world, going to a conference in a newexciting location, city, or even country, is a massive draw. Set business travel trips up as rewards for standout work performance or completing key milestones.
If you want to develop a reward system that incentivizes business travel, here’s how you could go about it:
1. Clearly define the reward criteria:
Try to be specific about how the incentive can be reached. For example, a sales team might earn points toward the trip by reaching quarterly targets. If the incentive is cross-departmental, make sure each department has an equal opportunity to meet the set criteria.
2. Consider “tiers” for travel rewards:
Not every trip has to be an extravagant foray to the furthest reaches of the world. Consider offering some simpler, humble trips to other cities or states, with comfortable and enjoyable accommodations. A “tier 1” reward could be local travel to a conference with a mid-level hotel stay. “Tier 2” could be a domestic overnight trip with added upgrades to accommodations. “Tier 3” might be international travel for high achievers with some personal time for sightseeing.
3. Recognize and share the achievements:
Your employees will have worked long and hard to achieve the trip, so celebrate it publicly. Dedicate company-wide announcements and shout-outs for everyone to see to inspire everyone to work towards the incentive.
Design a business travel reward system that appeals to your employees’ sense of adventure, as well as their professional growth. Show some appreciation and that you’ve got your sights set on global operations.
Revitalizing staff with company retreats
For businesses moving into the future, trends show that professional team retreats will continue to soar in popularity.Researchshows that over one-third of workers say their best ideas come to them while traveling, so imagine how productive they’ll feel on a company retreat!
Here at Surf Office, organizingteam retreatsis what we do best. We’ve looked attrends for retreat locations, and we know how valuable they are for your employees.
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