We are in the middle of a very busy exhibition season for business tourism and these trade shows provide a pretty good (yet non-scientific) way to gauge the mood within the MICE sector.
Generally, there seems to be a more positive outlook based upon the various shows I have attended and the people I have spoken to. This correlates with a number of indicators showing ‘business travel frequency’ is on the increase.
Not even a tube strike and torrential rain could keep exhibitors and delegates away from the recent Business Travel Show, Earls Court and the Event Production Show at Olympia London. Post-show results saw both increase their visitor numbers.
With such positivity in the air, new research conducted by the ‘Priority Pass’ entitled: ‘Travel Policies: The Personnel Perspective’ is timely.
The report urges travel managers re-assess travel policies, which in turn can help drive industry growth. The research specifically highlights that companies that offer low-cost ancillary travel benefits will be the biggest beneficiaries as the tentative ‘green shoots’ of recovery in the economy impact on business travel.
Companies that have started to address and revise travel policies, that were formulated during the recession, will not only benefit from ‘their frequent travellers being more effective, engaged and committed, without having to increase spend’ but will also help drive the sector’s recovery.
The report demonstrates the need for travel managers to move away from the ‘one size fits all’ policy related to many travel benefits in order to safeguard static budgets.
Priority Pass is one good example of utilising an ancillary travel benefit, to add value for both employer and employee, by encouraging greater productivity and enhance morale amongst staff without drastically increasing spend.
Most interestingly, the study highlighted the ‘top five’ benefits missed by the ‘500 frequent business travellers’ surveyed, based on stricter travel policies employed by their companies.
The primary one was flight upgrades (17%), next came hotel upgrades (13%), while priority Check-in was third (11%), closely followed by airport lounge access (10%) in fourth place and finally priority boarding at fifth.
The key element here was that much of the list centred on the airport experience, suggesting that this was an aspect of the journey where travel managers would be prudent to focus on when re-addressing travel policies.
Errol McGlothan, General Manager, EMEA of Priority Pass, says: “Our research shows that even modest benefits can make a real difference to staff effectiveness and morale”.
This can be achieved without the need to purchase a premium ticket, but simply easing the strain of travel by exploring opportunities where benefits can be provided through third parties.
“We know that travel budgets will not be reverting back to pre-2008 levels in response to this increase – and neither should they. As travel frequency rises an emphasis on prudent allocation of budget against demand will be key,” McGlothan said.
This is where the ‘cost versus benefit’ comparison weighs in favour of ancillary travel benefits such as lounge access. Maybe small changes and small rewards can kick-start consistent growth in the sector, which may also generate longer trips and greater potential for long-haul travel.
Any comments? Email jdavis@mashmedia.net
