The life of a business traveller is not a smooth one. In any case, it is not immune to a few frustrations and other worries. The latest study published at the beginning of October by AirPlus bears witness to this. The specialist in travel expense solutions interviewed 543 business travellersin nine European countries: Germany, Austria and Belgium, FranceItaly, LuxembourgNetherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Verdict: thevisio" option - or rather its compulsory nature - tends to frustrate mobile professionals. Nearly three out of ten travellers (28%) believe that their company's travel policy advocating the use of virtual meetings has a negative impact on their travel. And 22% of those surveyed complained about budget cuts. CSR is said to have an impact on travel for 17% of European professionals.
The move to virtual meetings, boosted by the health crisis, is degrading the quality of exchanges for many, according to AirPlus. In fact, the study estimates that 88 % of those questioned consider that replacing business travel with videoconferencing has its drawbacks. First and foremost, of course, is the lack of personal contact (61 %), as well as networking opportunities (33 %). According to the authors of the study, establishing a climate of trust and good relations is the top priority for a travelling professional (51 %), followed by negotiation opportunities (40 %) and discussions on strictly confidential or sensitive subjects (39 %).
It should also be noted that these internal issues relating to travel policies and budgetary or environmental imperatives are not the only disruptive factors, unfortunately. The AirPlus study also highlights the impact of external factors. Starting with strikes (mentioned by 19 % of travellers), as well as wars and other natural disasters. geopolitical conflicts in the destination zone (16 %).
An exodus of young business travellers?
If the frustration pointed out by AirPlus may seem trivial, there are other figures that will strike a chord with more than one employer. According to this European study, one in three European business travellers (31 %) would change jobs if they suddenly could no longer travel or could only do so very rarely. The figure is even 40% for generations Y and Z.
The authors of the study summarise: "Business travel has a positive influence on employee satisfaction and retention, as well as on the attractiveness of the employer". The majority of respondents (57%) saw business travel as a privilege. Depending on the profile of the traveller, the appeal of this type of mobility was based on practical advantages, - in particular the possibility of extending a trip into a holiday bleisure - or simply symbolic. Indeed, the study estimates that people who take part in 'exclusive' business trips are considered privileged by more than half of those questioned (51 %). In addition, "a good third (37 %) felt particularly important or superior in their social environment because of a business trip", and "37 % of those surveyed consider that people who travel frequently for business are particularly important"...
