IN TOUCH: Business Travel Still On Track

It seems the downturn hasn’t grounded business travellers – recent survey reveals that it’s been pretty much business as usual for business folk who were on the move during the first quarter of 2009.
After polling 470 business travellers on both sides of the Tasman during April, the Wotif.com Business Travel Insight found the majority of respondents, 68 percent, said the economic recession had not affected their travel plans. Another 54 percent believed stripping travel budgets would be detrimental to their overall business. But that doesn’t mean they’re not hunting for bargains with price and free inclusions featuring strongly in accommodation decisions.
When asked what was most valued in business accommodation, free breakfast came tops, followed by free parking, internet connection and room service.
Other findings:
• the majority of business travellers (55 percent) stayed away on average two to three nights trip;
• 66 percent of business travellers prefer to stay in hotels, 19 percent in serviced apartments and 14 percent in motels;
• four-star properties come out ahead of three or five-star options;
• 61 percent prefer to take shorter, more frequent business trips;
• 37 percent add leisure component to their business trips.
(See also Business Travel feature, page 54, this issue.)