FaceTime Versus Face-To-Face

In its newly released Egencia Business Travel and Technology study, Egencia reports that 86% of global travellers questioned said that a meeting conducted in-person is more effective and productive – and that view was consistent across every age group.

Travellers in Australia, Canada, China, India, the United Kingdom and the United States made a stronger endorsement, at 90%, on average; as did travellers with a title of VP and above (91%).

In an age when rampant connectivity allows us to work virtually from anywhere, business travellers believe there is a lot to be said for showing up.

As well, travel is closely linked to professional success in the minds of business travellers.

Over two-thirds of global travellers surveyed (67%) said they would be less successful in their role if they did not travel.

Travellers in Australia, Canada, China, India, UK and the US agreed most strongly at levels above 70%, as did VPs and above.

Far from being irrelevant, Egencia’s findings revealed widespread support for, and confidence in, business travel as a personal and professional tool.

Rob Greyber, president of Egencia, commented: “We support the vital need for business travel by providing solutions travellers actually want to use. If we can improve each traveller’s journey while helping companies manage the bottom line, then we have done our job.”

Greyber continued: “Our travellers’ clicks guide us every day in the decisions we make and the technology we deliver toward the user experience.”

And while conducting business in-person hasn’t gone out of style, neither has the need for companies to manage the cost of business travel. As companies have moved toward cost containment, travellers have felt the pinch.

More than half of travellers (54%) say cost is the most important factor to their company when booking a trip.

Among travellers who have experienced a more stringent travel policy in recent years, more than three-quarters (78%) feel that cost savings has been the driver.

Within this environment, most travellers globally say that policy is not oriented toward their preferences.

Fifty-five percent of travellers say their company travel policy meets their needs only somewhat well, and 8% of travellers report it does not meet their needs very well, or not at all.

Only 38% of travellers say their company’s policy meets their needs very well.

When confronted with a restrictive policy that prevents travellers from booking a preferred airline or hotel, roughly one out of two travellers is willing to break it.

Companies have an opportunity to better reflect traveler desires and increase compliance at the same time.

In a new position paper, “Policy vs. Policing: Ten Ways to Empower and Take Care of Your Travelers,” Egencia addresses what companies can do to better meet the needs of travellers and improve their experience.

The position paper focuses on four key areas: Choice; Comfort; Safety; and Communication.

For more, go to https://www.egencia.com/public/blog .