CWT, travel management platform B2B4E (business to business for employees) has made a series of reports during the past year. Now he has published a report that summarizes, according to his vision, what will be the most important trends in business trips during 2020.
1. Growing concern of companies for the health and welfare of their employees
Companies are increasingly aware of the importance of the physical and mental well-being of their employees when they travel. To traditional safety practices, they will add measures to alleviate the stress caused by traveling and to encourage an environment in which employees feel supported and see that their health and well-being are taken into account.
In fact, a recent report by CWT Energy, Resources & Marine indicates that the health and well-being of business travelers is a top priority for 71% of companies.
2. Savings versus welfare of corporate travelers
Saving money is a priority during moments of political and economic uncertainty. Some companies develop their travel policies in such a way that they give priority to cost control. This can impact the well-being and even the performance of travelers, resulting in complicated schedules, unhealthy food and exhausting itineraries. CWT offers expert consulting to get the most out of your travel investment and has the latest innovations to reduce costs without undermining the experience of travelers.
3. New hosting formats
Traditional accommodation methods are constantly changing and even "invading" the terrain of their competition. Such is the case of AirBnb, which announced its expansion plans for AirBnB for Work in Asia, or Marriott International, one of the emblematic leaders of the hospitality sector, which launched its household rental program offering its services to more than 100 different markets
4. Car rental versus alternative transport routes
Car rental tends to increase globally due to the increase in tourism. However, people's awareness of the environment has also increased, so most prefer to share transportation or rent a car instead of buying a vehicle. There has also been a sharp increase in alternative means of transport such as bicycles or scooters, some electric, due to technological advances. This new business is becoming something important to observe.
5. Less contracts with hotels in big cities
Contracts with hotels in large and important cities have been reduced generating more creative alternatives, as well as ways of working with a greater number of suppliers, something that was previously impossible. This does not eliminate the need for travel managers to find better prices and discounts for chain hotels. However, these increasingly offer fewer benefits when booking well in advance. The key is to offer travelers the greatest possible options.
6. Flag airlines versus low cost airlines
Although some companies tend to prefer flag airlines, new low-cost companies are affecting the market due to increased competition, especially in Europe. However, the presence of low costs in international travel is lower, hence rates are expected to increase in this segment. For this reason, airlines are redistributing their costs to offer travelers greater transparency in fares. The technology also allows you to customize travel options to achieve a comparison of benefits between airlines and prices.
7. Applications facilitate travel
The technology that helps manage travel interruptions is maturing. Companies can access applications such as myCWT, which report any changes in the itinerary on the mobile phone of the business traveler. In addition, some companies make sure to automatically make any necessary adjustments, thus reducing the loss of time and stress of the business traveler. We will see more and more mobile applications whose objective will be to make business trips easier, more efficient and productive.
8. The boarding and customs speed up
Airports seek to offer new technological tools to facilitate the journey of travelers. Biometric technologies are already being used to make the customs and migration process more bearable and safe. Additionally, with the objective of accelerating the boarding process, facial recognition technology has already been tested in international airports to accelerate the check in migration and customs control. Other technologies include reading fingerprints and retina.
9. A faster check in / check out
The hotels have introduced automatic check in / check out, which has made the stay of business travelers easier and more productive by eliminating long lines and complex payments. Some hotels provide services that allow their guests to pick up the key and go directly to their room, without the need to wait in line. Even the traveler's cell phone becomes his room key.