Top Of Mind Priorities
Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has released its sixth annual CWT Travel Management Priorities report in which a record number of respondents confirmed that although finding innovative ways to generate savings remains their number one priority for the next 12 months, traveller experience is also top of mind as technology and data offer new opportunities for tailored, user-friendly services that support their travel program.
In North America, 70% of travel managers said finding innovative ways to generate savings is a high priority for them in 2014, followed by further promoting the travel program at 62%, and driving growth in online adoption at 53%.
Travel managers with responsibility for North America are keenest of all regions to further promote the travel program, while optimizing end-to-end travel processes and redesigning travel policies remain areas of untapped potential, with 42% and 31% respectively ranking them high priority.
In Canada specifically, travel managers said exploring innovative solutions to generate savings is a key focus for them in 2014, with 74% of those surveyed marking it high priority. This is followed by further promoting the travel program to travelers at 56%, and continuing to drive online adoption growth, which 56% also ranked as a high priority.
David Moran, executive vice-president, global marketing & enterprise strategy, CWT, observed that: “Identifying savings is still the top priority for travel managers across the globe. However, the greater focus on traveller experience marks a fresh, positive chapter for the industry. We’re working on new, innovative ways to help travel managers achieve their money-saving objectives at the same time as exceeding traveller expectations, from booking to expense management, and everything in between.”
The seven priorities identified in CWT Travel Management Priorities 2014 overall are:
- Find innovative ways to generate savings
- Drive growth in online adoption
- Optimize end-to-end travel processes
- Further promote the travel program
- Redesign the travel policy
- Develop a mobile strategy
- Reinforce corporate social responsibility
The CWT Travel Management Priorities 2014 report was based on an international survey of 970 travel managers. The scope of the survey includes companies ranging from mid-sized national programs with travel spend of around US$2 million annually to large, international companies with travel programs spending in excess of than US$100 million annually. CWT asked travel managers to rate the level of priority for each topic as high, medium or low priorities. The percentage shows the proportion of travel managers who selected it high priority.
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