The 26th edition of theEVPthe annualAmerican Express Global Business Travel (GBT) came to a close on 5 April at the Pavillon Cambon in Paris. The format of the event is evolving, particularly since its 2016 edition. Last year, Guillaume Col, GBT's CEO for France, Benelux and Southern Europe, described the event as "a real success". a event 2.0 ", " a condensed meeting "with " a shorter format ". This time, the EVP organisers were promising " a new format, moving away from the traditional trade fair ". If " a new look for the event "But its climax remains unchanged: the presentation of the EVP Barometerthe European business travel survey.
To take the temperature of business travel, American Express GBT surveyed 1000 companies in 11 countries companies. The number of companies surveyed has therefore been significantly increased, as has their geographical diversity. And unsurprisingly, passenger safety remains at the heart of the debate, as it was in the barometer TEU 2016. In fact, the monitoring and employee traceability gained 5 points in this 2017 edition: a comfortable majority of companies (64%) are now equipped according to American Express GBT. In addition to locating travellers on the ground, the TMC also highlights the need for more detailed preparatory work, which focuses on the following prior to travel training and information.
The traveller makes his voice heard
The other major trend in this 2017 barometer concerns the traveller himself, who is now considered to be "the traveller". co-constructor of travel policies ". When it comes to defining the rules governing business travel, the efficiency and productivity of the mobile professional would even become the second most important criterion. A third of the companies surveyed (+12 points) would now evaluate the effectiveness and productivity of mobile professionals as the second most important criterion. passenger satisfactionand adapt their travel policy accordingly. " Travellers will play a proactive role in safety (Duty of Care), as well as across the entire value chain (loyalty programmesnew suppliers, including those from thecollaborative economynew booking tools...) "say the authors of the study, who point out that ". the human dimension is particularly well represented "this year.
TMC at the heart of the ecosystem
Not surprisingly, the 2017 EVP barometer confirms the role of the corporate travel agency in the business travel landscape. The vast majority of companies surveyed (80%) work with an agency, according to American Express GBT. In 57% of cases, this is an exclusive relationship, with a single TMC. The authors of the study cite " stable figures compared with 2015, demonstrating that travel agencies play an important role in the management of business travel ". Guillaume Col agrees, noting that: ". the travel agency acts as a genuine partner rather than just a supplier ".
Finally, " last but not least" The 2017 EVP barometer shows that Travel Managers are cautiously optimistic. Despite the uncertainties weighing on various markets, business travel professionals are expecting a slight increase in their spending volumes over the coming months (+2.51TP3Q). American Express GBT believes that " the geopolitical context, in particular the BrexitAccording to respondents, this has little impact on their travel spending." .
