The 2019 edition of the European Business Travel Barometer was unveiled on 20 March in Paris at Terminal 7, Porte de Versailles. The annual study published by American Express GBT shows that 2018 was more dynamic than expected. In fact, the percentage increase in expenditure (+3.8%) is - slightly - higher than expected. forecasts from the previous barometer. While growth has been seen in all the markets studied by the TMC, there are a few nuances. France is one of the "bad pupilsThe British market is also among the least zealous, with below-average growth in travel expenditure (3.4%). Conversely, and despite the X factor of Brexit, the UK market is the driving force behind the European business travel market (6.5%). As for the 2019 forecastsAmerican Express is expecting another year of growth: 4.3% at European level. Once again, France's performance will be below average (2.3%), while the United Kingdom will continue to enjoy strong growth (+6.2 %), although below the Spanish market (6.8%).
Another highlight of the 2019 EVP was the priorities identified by travel managers. According to the testimonies gathered from some 1000 companies in ten countries In Europe, cost control is the focus of market attention. The growing importance of the issue of data securitythe second priority, can be explained by the implementation of RGPD. Conversely, the passenger safetythe focus of attention for several years, has lost some ground, dropping from first to third place on the podium.
The other lesson to be learned from this EVP 2019 lies in the traveller-travel manager-travel agency triangle. It would appear that the TMC remains the preferred channel for more than one company in two (53%), while the travel manager function is no longer embodied by a dedicated department (barely 23%), but rather 'distributed' across other departments: finance (28%), purchasing (24%) or HR (15%). As for travellers, they seem to benefit from a favourable climate. Not only is its satisfaction is now a factor that counts - 71% of companies would measure its evolution - but it also enjoys greater freedom in its choices. Indeed travel policies more flexibleThese non-binding contracts are gaining ground (+11 points in two years, at 201TP3Q). According to American Express GBT, the rise of theopen booking is confirmed, and compliance with travel policy is no longer the holy grail of travel management. Only a minority of companies (45%) have a compliance rate of over 70%. It should nevertheless be noted that French business travellers have clearly remained loyal to their agency. France is the country with the lowest open booking rate (26.3%), with the majority of bookings going through TMC (55%).
" The objectives of companies and the expectations of travellers have evolved at different rates in recent years. Today, every journey is a tender that our customers must win to achieve their objectives. Our role is to enable our customers to meet this challenge, through the quality of our services and our innovations at the service of travellers. "underlines Julien KauffmannGBT Managing Director for France, Benelux and Southern Europe.
