Travel Leaders Group recently polled its Travel agency owners, managers and frontline agents who focus on corporate travel about their trends for 2018.

The outlook for corporate travel in 2018 is positive, according to a new national survey of travel professionals.

Travel Survey

When our business travel agents were asked how much travel their corporate clients anticipate in 2018 compared with 2017, 78.8% expect the amount to be the same or higher. And 87% of respondents say that so far, their bookings are the same or higher compared with the previous year.

Overall, 87.1% of agents are optimistic about their corporate outlook in 2018.

Flight Delays are the Number 1 Concern

The logistics of air travel remains the biggest concern for corporate travelers, as it has over the past several years of surveys.

Delayed flights are by far the top concern, followed by

1. Limited airline seat availability
2. Earning frequent flyer and loyalty points
3. the ease of passing through airport security

But in 2018, survey respondents report slight improvements in each category among their clients who travel for business.

Seventy percent of agents responded that delayed flights were the main concern for corporate travelers, compared with 73.2% last year.

That was followed by

1. Limited seat availability at 39.6%, compared with 43.8% in 2017;
2. Earning frequent flyer/loyalty points at 36.1%, compared with 41% last year;
3. Ease of passing through security at 30.4%, compared with 31.4% in 2017.

Travel Leaders agents note that they can use their expertise to help lessen the impact of any inconveniences.

Over the years, they’ve developed a deep knowledge of airports, airlines, schedules and frequent flyer/loyalty programs. They put that information to work for their clients every day.

When asked which concerns they are most able to address or mitigate for corporate travel clients,

1. Delayed flights was at the top, at 46.1%
2. Making sure someone has their back, 40%
3. Earning frequent flyer/loyalty points, 31.3%;
4. Limited seat availability, 30.4%
5. Travel costs, 28.3%.

The primary focus for corporate travelers is, of course, the work that has sent them on the road. The focus of business travel agent is to ensure that the travel part goes smoothly and fits within a client’s budget.

The level of expertise that travel agents bring to their clients is vital, especially when a delayed flight can mean additional expenses and potentially missing an important meeting.

For example, if a flight is delayed Travel Leaders’ corporate travel specialists can act quickly to arrange a new flight or connection that will get them to their destination or back home again.

And travel agents have a business traveler’s back while he or she is on the road. That helps reduce stress for travelers and allows them to focus on the job at hand.

The peace of mind that comes from knowing there’s someone to call 24/7 is indispensable, both for the employee and employer.

For help planning a corporate trip anywhere across the country or around the world, contact us.

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