The empowerment of travellers that could be encouraged by the rise of mobile applications in the world of business travel has not convinced travel managers to let up. Quite the contrary, in fact. In a study published on 11 July by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the business travel agency (TMC) points out that "87 % say their company has not tested unmanaged travel and has no intention of doing so". Fewer than 10% (9%) of those surveyed were in favour of such a development. This trend can be explained in particular by the complexity of the issues involved in business travel: half of all business trips (45%) involve "multi-segment" trips, and one out of every two issues (also 45%) handled in Europe is modified before or after the tickets are issued. "Consumer trends will continue to influence the behaviour and expectations of business travellers, with a clear demand for greater freedom for the traveller," predicts David Moran, CWT Executive Vice President, Enterprise Strategy & Marketing, who adds: "However, the latest feedback from our customers shows that, while this movement towards greater choice is constant, current solutions are not sufficiently effective to allow a relaxation of the policy in terms of reservation channels.
