Networking is the most important benefit of Business Travel
- The Top Ten Benefits of Company Travel
- 66% of business travellers say meeting in person in critical for building long-term relationships
- Kate Fitzpatrick, Security Director, at World Travel Protection, said: “There’s no replacement for shaking someone’s hand and sharing a meal with them. This survey reveals the importance of building deeper connections with colleagues, clients and suppliers.”
Networking with new people is seen as the main benefit of business travel (36%), followed by getting a change of scenery (33%) and having a good opportunity for team bonding (29%), according to an Opinium survey* of UK-based business travellers, commissioned by World Travel Protection, a leading global travel risk management organisation.
Other important factors, that are more career driven, include being involved in new and interesting work (27%), raising their profile in the organisation (19%), increasing visibility with senior people (18%) and acting as a career accelerator (12%).
In fact, two thirds (66%) of respondents say meeting in person is critical for building positive, long-term relationships. Nearly half (47%) believe business travel has become more important since the rise of remote work, with 57% of those under 34 agreeing, compared to only 27% of those over 55.
Business travel is also viewed as an excellent opportunity to build deeper relationships with work colleagues (25%), visit enjoyable places (24%) and explore locations they would not otherwise have the chance to see (24%). Additionally, a fifth (21%) appreciate the chance to gain an understanding of other cultures or markets. One in ten (12%) also see the accumulation of loyalty air miles and hotel points for personal use as a benefit.
Top Ten Benefits of Business Travel in Summary:
- Network with new people (36%)
- A change of scenery (33%)
- Good team bonding opportunity (29%)
- Be involved in new interesting work (27%)
- Build deeper relationships with the team (25%)
- Travel to places I enjoy visiting (24%)
- Travel to places I wouldn’t otherwise visit (24%)
- Understanding other cultures or markets (21%)
- Raises profile in organisation (19%)
- Increase visibility with senior people in the organisation (18%)
Kate Fitzpatrick, Regional Security Director, EMEA, at World Travel Protection, said: “Business travel remains paramount in global business. There’s no replacement for shaking someone’s hand and sharing a meal with them. This survey reveals the importance of building deeper connections with colleagues, clients and suppliers as well as visiting corners of the globe they might otherwise not.”
She continues: “Business travellers should be protected from risk however and it’s up to organisations to have comprehensive travel policies in place to ensure travelling teams’ safety and well-being during their trips. World Travel Protection, for instance, offers clients a travel assist app providing detailed background and information on destinations as well as live security and medical alerts relevant to them.”
*Opinium online survey conducted with 500 people, who travel for business at least once a year in the UK, from 1 – 8 February 2024.
