New survey reveals challenges facing business travel in 2024

New research conducted by SAP Concur highlights several challenges threatening business travel in 2024.

The 6th annual SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey, which involved 3,750 travellers and 600 travel managers from global markets, identifies key barriers such as unequal access to travel opportunities and the need for more sustainable travel options.

Regional Vice President of Supplier Services EMEA at SAP Concur, Paul Dear, commented on the findings.

"Many influences are driving—and sometimes stalling—the business travel industry," he said. "To ensure maximum productivity and well-being for travellers and travel managers, businesses must support them with the right education and tools in 2024 and beyond."

One of the primary issues identified in the survey is the threat of disruption.

A significant 91% of travellers reported having to make last-minute changes to their travel plans over the past year due to unexpected delays, cancellations, or the need to re-route. This has led 84% of business travellers to incorporate booking buffers at the start or end of their journeys, though this practice adds extra time and contributes to reluctance regarding business travel.

Safety concerns also play a major role in the decision-making process for business travel. About 43% of business travellers would decline a trip due to safety concerns, while 27% cited political or social issues at the travel destination as deterrents. Travel managers are feeling the strain too; 33% reported experiencing burnout due to the increasing number of factors they must consider when organising business trips, with many feeling unprepared for the strategic roles they are now expected to fulfil.

The survey also shed light on the growing importance of sustainability in business travel decisions. Approximately 31% of business travellers are willing to forgo a trip due to its environmental impact or the lack of sustainable travel options. Moreover, 33% stated that their companies have cut back on spending for more sustainable options over the past year.

This creates a challenge for travel managers, over a third of whom face difficulties in providing sustainable options because of inadequate budgets.

Unequal access to business travel opportunities is another critical issue highlighted by the survey. While 66% of business travellers believe that travel is vital for career advancement, an equal number feel that they have not been afforded the same opportunities as their colleagues. Reported reasons for this discrepancy include level of seniority (16%), age (14%), and gender (12%).

On the technological front, there is significant interest in AI solutions for travel arrangements, with 97% of respondents expressing openness to AI-enabled options. However, there remains a level of cautiousness, as fewer than one in ten are currently comfortable using AI to book travel.

Additionally, 95% of business travellers seek more company support concerning AI, including assurances for personal data protection, the mitigation of potential biases, and protections against repercussions if AI-facilitated bookings do not align with company policies.

The findings of the SAP Concur research underline the complex landscape of business travel heading into 2024, revealing a need for companies to address these challenges to ensure the efficacy and safety of their travel programmes.