Cause For Concern

Home-sharing properties are allowed in one out of every six travel polices (17%), according to a new study released recently by the GBTA Foundation.

However, more than double the number of business travellers are under the same impression (37%), meaning many travellers are booking and staying in properties unsupported by their travel policy — a serious duty of care issue.

The study, Home-Sharing and Travel Policies — A Shifting Landscape, conducted in partnership with AccorHotels also revealed many companies are making an effort to review home-sharing options before making a decision to include or exclude them from travel policies.

At organizations deciding not to allow these options, two-thirds of travel professionals either looked at these options before deciding not to include them (52%) or are currently reviewing them (13%).

Kate Vasiloff, GBTA research director, said that: “A travel professional must simultaneously balance his or her obligation to keep travellers safe with a need to make cost-effective decisions and select suppliers and services that foster productivity, while not compromising the well-being of the traveller. Allowing home-sharing services into a traveller program may not be the right option for every company, but it should be an informed decision.”

For more, go to http://gbta.org or visit http://gbta.org/foundation .