With crisis after crisis, it's hard to predict what the future will hold. TripActions tried its hand at the exercise, surveying almost 400 French business travel playersbusiness travellers and other decision-makers in the sector. According to the newcomer to the French market, the results have been positive, with the following conclusion: " French companies expect business travel to rebound strongly ".
To support this optimistic view, the start-up puts forward a number of figures. For example, 75 % of business travellers plan to make at least three business trips in 2022. A third of those surveyed (31 %) even expect to make six business trips this year. Worrying minds will note, however, that one business traveller in 10 expects 2022 to be a totally sedentary year...
there's no substitute for face-to-face meetings, and we know from our customers that there is demand, even if it's pent-up demand
" Whenever restrictive measures have been lifted, we have seen an increase in business travel bookings. "says Zahir Abdelouhab, SEMEA Vice President at TripActions. " I'm sure we'll find ourselves in this situation again; there's no substitute for face-to-face meetings, and we know from our customers that there is a demand, albeit a pent-up one. "he adds.
So travel again, but for what purpose? If business travellers are to be believed, the essential customer-related travel will be the main motivation, ahead of concluding an agreement and taking part in conferences or events. The players in the MICE will probably welcome this last point, provided that such trips are approved internally. Business travel decision-makers have not made this a priority for business trips this year. Questioned by TripActions, they cite other reasons for future travel. In this case, the development of new business relationships, the maintenance of existing relationships and essential customer-related travel...
" These slight differences suggest that if there are further confinements and restrictions on travel, or if major face-to-face events continue to be scaled back or carried out virtually, travel managers would be more likely to accept this than travellers; particularly if their definition of 'essential' is different to that of their employees or if they are more inclined to reduce any responsibilities they may have. "note the authors of the study.
It also remains to be seen under what conditions these trips will take place. Because the crisis has come and gone, and some travel policies have changed. According to data published by TripActions, 50% of decision-makers have made temporary changes to their travel policies during the pandemic. Moreover, 35% of those surveyed said that these changes would be maintained over the long term. These measures should enable the company to rise to the challenges posed by the pandemic. duty of care. And above all, business travellers who may have felt exposed to health risks. TripActions notes that " only 72 % of travellers agreed that their employer had done what was necessary to ensure their safety. security on business trips during the pandemic ". However, the main demand from business travellers today is for access to reliable, up-to-date information on travel restrictions (77%), ahead of travel health and safety (72%)...
