More employers are using business travel as a recruitment and retention tool, according to new research from Business Travel Show Europe.
The proportion of organisations offering business travel as an employee benefit has risen from 18.6% to 20.2% over the past year.
The survey also found that 5.9% of employers now allow staff to extend work trips for leisure purposes, while 1.7% permit employees to take “workcations” that combine work and travel.
Meanwhile, the proportion of organisations that do not use business travel as part of their employee benefits package fell from 57.1% to 52.1%.
The findings point to a growing recognition among employers of the role travel can play in attracting and retaining talent, particularly younger workers. They also reflect the increasing acceptance of “bleisure” travel and more flexible working arrangements.
Louis Magliaro, executive vice-president of The BTN Group, said: “We’re seeing a real shift in how organisations think about business travel. It’s no longer viewed purely as a cost centre, but becoming a meaningful part of the employee value proposition. For younger talent especially, the opportunity to travel, blend work with leisure and experience new cultures is a powerful differentiator.
“This data shows HR teams are recognising that, and Business Travel Show Europe will be the place to find shortcuts to designing a travel policy that can support attraction, retention and employee experience.”
Business Travel Show Europe takes place at Excel London on 24-25 June and is expected to bring together around 3,000 buyers, suppliers and travel industry professionals.
