The figures published on Thursday by the Business Travel Show is a reflection of the profound changes that have taken place in the world of business travel in recent years. While 9% of travel buyers questioned in 2012 by the London show said they were prepared to let their business travellers book their own business trips, a comfortable majority would now accept this state of affairs. "This move towards greater freedom for the traveller (...) is part of a fundamental trend in the market, which is moving from travel management to traveller management, with greater attention being paid to the well-being of the traveller and to responsible travel management," points out David Chapple, Director of the Business Travel Show.
This small revolution can be explained - perhaps - by the good results achieved in terms of compliance with travel policy. According to the study published on 11 December, 44% of travel buyers have not experienced any further difficulties in terms of compliance over the last twelve months: a proportion more or less equivalent to the figures for 2012. Rebellious" professionals, who regularly deviate from the company's travel policy (PVE), now represent 9% of business travellers. Buyers also appear to be using the carrot rather than the stick to enforce the rules, with rewards being introduced in 26% of cases, while 9% of those surveyed cited penalties imposed in the event of deviation.
