Business travellers are increasingly favouring the train. This is one of the findings of a study published on 14 November by Concur. The expense management specialist analysed almost six million rail transactions over two years, up to the second quarter of 2016. The results show that these rail transactions have risen sharply over the last eighteen months, with 954,813 rail claims recorded in the second quarter, compared with 709,973 over the same period in 2015. Rail transport costs incurred in Europe thus recorded a significant rise (34%) in Europe in the second quarter, according to Concur.
" These figures are a reminder of the rail plays a major role in business travel on the European market "says Scott Torrey, Concur's Vice President and General Manager for EMEA. " More than 500 million in expense claims related to this mode of transport have been recorded on the Concur platform over the last two years. With the number of transactions increasing every quarter, it is essential that companies manage this expense incurred by their employees. "he adds.
the train allows business travellers to work during the journey
According to Concur's managers, the popularity of rail is based above all on the productivity of business travel by train. " It's not just about the budget "says Scott Torrey. " More than any other mode of transport, the train allows business travellers to work during the journey. This means that journey time is perceived less as an additional burden on the working day. Companies that make rail travel easier increase employee satisfaction and productivity ".
Unsurprisingly, the main business hubs account for the majority of travel: 68% of European business trips depart from or arrive at the following stations London, Paris or Frankfurt. The British capital is particularly popular with business travellers, as 94% of business trips in the UK are to London, according to Concur.
Lastly, this Concur study once again measures the the growing role played by bleisure in the European business travel market. Indeed, " Disneyland Paris is a surprisingly popular destination for business travellers, with 49,610 trips to this destination recorded on Concur between January 2014 and September 2016, indicating that business travellers abroad sometimes combine work and family life "underlines the study.
