business traveller is

• Search Search Please fill out this field.
• Corporate Finance

Corporate Business Travel: Everything You Need to Know

Katie Miller is a consumer financial services expert. She worked for almost two decades as an executive, leading multi-billion dollar mortgage, credit card, and savings portfolios with operations worldwide and a unique focus on the consumer. Her mortgage expertise was honed post-2008 crisis as she implemented the significant changes resulting from Dodd-Frank required regulations.

Corporate business travel involves the movement of individuals representing their organizations for work-related reasons. Whether it’s attending client meetings, industry conferences, or sealing business deals, this practice covers a range of activities essential for professional growth.

In the interconnected global business environment, where face-to-face connections matter, corporate business travel plays a central role in sustaining and expanding enterprises across borders. Businesses face challenges in optimizing this crucial element of their operations. Strategic considerations must be taken into account to use this element of business to its greatest potential.

Key Takeaways

• Corporate business travel can unlock new opportunities for business growth, offering the possibility of reaching new markets, connecting with a wider pool of prospects, or developing brand presence and reputation.
• Traveling for business has many benefits for individuals as well, providing them the chance to meet fellow employees, grow their career by participating in different opportunities, and network within the industry, not to mention experience new destinations.
• Business traveler safety and security are top priorities during corporate travel.
• To ensure that travel goes smoothly and stays within budget, companies should implement corporate travel policies and best practices for employees traveling on behalf of the company.

Importance of Corporate Business Travel

There are many business-related reasons to travel. It can encourage team building, promote learning, offer different perspectives, provide connection to a wider network, open up new markets, and drive sales. And whether or not the trip is for a specific purpose (such as a conference or a retreat), the benefits for employees and companies alike can extend beyond the stated intent of the trip, building confidence, cultural competency, relationships, and company reputation.

Many employees consider the opportunity to travel for work a desirable job perk, as it can offer the chance to venture somewhere that they may not ordinarily go, or to have a trip paid for by their company. And although expenses are associated with travel from a corporate perspective, they may be well worth the return on investment in terms of potential leads or sales—plus, many travel expenses are tax- deductible .

Types of Corporate Business Travel

Corporate travel can take many forms, including the chance for employees and executives to attend events, such as meetings, conferences, industry networking sessions, and fairs. Or a trip may take advantage of educational opportunities such as training sessions, seminars, and workshops. Retreats and guided trips can make for valuable team-building time in new contexts that unlock different perspectives and strengthen working relationships.

Businesses may send their employees to a different location to network, sell, teach, learn from, or generally connect with external contacts or internal employees in regional offices, or to act on behalf of the company in some way.

Additionally, from a client perspective, business travel may occur as a form of due diligence , ensuring that your vendors or suppliers are legitimate, legal, and compliant organizations—for example, traveling for regular audits to confirm that what you think is happening at your supplier organizations is actually happening.

Creating a Corporate Travel Policy

From a company perspective, travel can be a challenge to administer and manage . Costs can easily balloon out of control; travel logistics can be time-intensive to arrange; employees traveling on behalf of the company must be granted a great deal of trust; and like any form of travel, business travel can open up risks to safety, security, and health.

No matter the size of the business or the frequency or complexity of travel, a corporate travel policy can be a helpful tool for any company to set expectations for its employees, communicate guidelines and processes, keep expenses within budget, and streamline booking and logistics.

In creating a corporate travel policy, companies might consider the following for both domestic and international travel, as applicable:

• Purpose(s) of travel
• Which employees are eligible to travel
• Booking and expense approval processes
• Risks and liabilities of travel and how to manage them
• Expectations for employee behavior, including acceptable and secure uses of technology, personal vs. leisure time, communication, and entertainment while traveling
• Eligible expenses for employees while traveling, including per diem rates if applicable
• Determine if employees will be reimbursed for their expenses or given a corporate credit card to use
• Financial tracking, record-keeping, and reimbursement processes
• Acceptable booking practices and costs, including preferred agents or vendors
• Travel insurance

Of course, policies must also be communicated and enforced to ensure compliance and fairness. Including a travel policy as part of a corporate handbook or reviewing it in an onboarding or training module can be a good way to ensure that all employees receive and understand the information. Making it easily accessible for future reference on a shared drive or company portal will encourage employees to refer to it often.

Business travel managers estimate, on average, that spending on domestic and international corporate travel is at 77% and 74%, respectively, of where it was before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Setting a Corporate Travel Policy

Corporate Business Travel Best Practices

There are many best practices that both employees and companies can keep in mind around corporate business travel to ensure that it is a successful experience. These encompass everything from administration and financing to employee behavior and well-being.

Booking Corporate Travel

Booking travel can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. To improve the booking process, save on costs, and streamline expense reporting, it can be helpful to designate preferred travel agencies, online platforms, vendors, and lodgings for employees and executives to book with. If the size of the company allows, it can also be helpful to hire an employee or team specifically to oversee and administer corporate travel, or designate this duty as part of an employee’s broader job description.

Managing Travel Expenses and Budgeting

There are many financial considerations when it comes to corporate business travel, and expenses and budgets must be carefully managed to keep costs under control. Many travel expenses are tax-deductible and can be written off, representing potentially significant savings for a company. Setting a budget and clear guidelines for employees about what can be an expense and what cannot is a must, as is creating and enforcing policies and procedures around tracking and reporting expenses.

Many corporate credit cards offer travel rewards and cost-saving opportunities for business travel, as do many other vendors and suppliers in the corporate travel industry. Businesses can take advantage of these to reduce inefficiencies and save on costs.

How to Manage Corporate Travel

Ensuring Traveler Safety and Security

As with any trip, business trips are not without safety and security risks, including the potential for political or civil unrest, crime, illness, injury, accidents, emergencies, natural disasters, cybersecurity breaches, or theft.

To protect their employees against unexpected and undesirable circumstances, at a minimum, businesses will want to have a travel insurance plan in place. It’s also helpful for businesses and employees to undertake some form of travel risk assessment to aid them in navigating potential risks, and outline safety and emergency preparedness guidelines within a corporate travel policy.

Employees should also know how to call if something goes sideways, such as hotel booking issues. A travel agent? A supervisor? If there’s a hurricane, you don’t have a car, and your flight is canceled, can you book another last-minute flight to get around the weather to get home? These details should be planned ahead for.

Maximizing Productivity During Business Trips

The overlap of business and leisure, sometimes referred to as “bleisure,” is one of the main draws of corporate business travel. However, there can also be pitfalls associated with this gray area. It can be difficult to stay productive while working remotely, whether due to the many distractions of a new environment (positive and negative), or because the trip entails an increased workload or time spent away from day-to-day job duties.

Employees looking to manage their time efficiently while away should get clarity on the intended purpose and expected outcome of their trip, and their employer’s and teammates’ expectations for their workload and communication frequency. They can also plan ahead to make the most of their travel time and downtime, and anticipate time zone differences to ensure smooth communication and adjustment to jet lag.

It’s important for employees to maintain work-life balance while traveling on behalf of work. Researching food, entertainment, and fitness options and preparing accordingly can pay off in terms of mental and physical wellness, especially for frequent travelers.

Tips for Business Travel Etiquette

Traveling anywhere, whether domestically or internationally, comes with responsibilities and expectations regarding employee behavior. Perception is one of the most important factors to remember when traveling as a representative of your company. You represent your company out in the public, so you need to ensure you’re displaying any key values that your company represents when interacting with vendors, clients, and peers.

This applies to cultural sensitivity as well. Travelers should do research in advance of their trip to ensure that they can be mindful of local customs and professional etiquette and behave with awareness and respect. Even the basics, such as learning appropriate forms of greeting or how to handle money and payment, and committing a few common words or phrases to memory can go a long way toward demonstrating good intentions and building a new relationship across cultures.

Sustainable and Responsible Business Travel

Recognizing that corporate travel can have a negative impact on the environment, many businesses and individuals are reexamining their travel practices and policies to see where they can make improvements. One example is reducing emissions by booking different means of transportation when possible. In general, seeking out vendors or companies that promote sustainable travel practices and responsible tourism, and that support local communities and ecosystems, can be a good first step to reduce environmental impact.

Technology and Tools for Corporate Business Travel

Software and technology tools can be immensely useful across all aspects of corporate business travel. Travel management and booking platforms; apps for tracking expenses, navigation, or converting currency; and translation and communication tools are all things that employees and businesses alike can take advantage of before, during, and after traveling.

When it comes to technology, it’s important to account for cybersecurity risks and only bring what is necessary to reduce the potential impact of damage, loss, or theft.

Managing Business Travel Expenses

What Is an Example of Corporate Business Travel?

There are many work-related reasons to travel, but many businesses will have their employees travel for conferences, events, sales and networking, seminars, meetings, team building, retreats, and to open up new business growth potential.

How Does Corporate Business Travel Work?

Corporate travel is simply travel for business-related purposes, so the nature of the trip will depend on its length and purpose. Companies whose employees travel frequently on behalf of the business should consider creating a corporate travel policy with information and guidelines for their employees.

Who Handles Corporate Business Travel?

Some businesses employ internal teams or individuals to manage corporate travel and business trips. At other times, employees are responsible for making their own arrangements within guidelines laid out by the company. There are also corporate travel agencies that businesses can leverage to streamline and optimize their bookings and costs.

The Bottom Line

Corporate business travel can be an invaluable path to both business growth and individual career development, building strong relationships and teams. No matter what form it takes, it’s prudent for companies to collect, implement, and communicate best practices for business travel to their employees in a company handbook or corporate travel policy. This should incorporate areas such as expense and booking management, safety and security, productivity, sustainability, technology, and employee behavior and etiquette.

Michela Buttignol / Investopedia

Internal Revenue Service. “ Understanding Business Travel Deductions .”

Global Business Travel Association. “ GBTA Business Travel Industry Outlook Poll .”

Harvard Business Review. “ How to Work and Travel at the Same Time .”

• Terms of Service
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Your Privacy Choices

What is business travel? Definition and examples

If you fly somewhere on behalf of your company, you are one of the millions of people involved in Business Travel each year worldwide. The term business travel refers to traveling for work purposes. We call each journey a business trip . If you drive across town to visit a client, that is not business travel. Business travel is longer.

If I say: “John is on a business trip,” we imagine he will be away for more than one day.

Wikipedia.org has the following definition of the term :

“Business travel is travel undertaken for work or business purposes, as opposed to other types of travel, such as for leisure purposes or regularly commuting between one’s home and workplace.”

Why go on a business trip?

There are literally dozens of reasons for business travel. Even if your employer is not a commercial entity, your trips may still be classed as business ones.

What about military personnel who specialize in purchasing defense equipment, missiles, vehicles, and airplanes who are flying to a military air show? Is this an example of business travel? Yes, it is.

So, rather than saying that business travel relates to journeys that are business related, we should say that they are work related.

Below is a list of types of trips people can make for work purposes:

• Attending a conference, convention, or trade show.
• Considering, examining, inspecting, or assessing new markets.
• Evaluating a project site.
• Going for a job interview far away (especially if your are an executive or specialized professional).
• Installing equipment for a customer.
• Meeting with colleagues (from the same company) at a faraway location.
• Motivating your staff to boost employee loyalty.
• Negotiating with suppliers.
• Networking.
• Promoting a product or service.
• Seeing a demonstration of something you may buy.
• Visiting customers.
• Meeting prospects (contacts who could turn into a customers).
• Apologizing to somebody.

Business travel and COVID-19

The market for business travel globally is huge. The World Health Organization says that approximately thirty percent of international trips are business-related. Until the coronavirus (COVID) pandemic hit at the beginning of 2020, the market had been forecast to expand rapidly over the next decade.

However, COVID-19 changed all that. The year 2020 saw a dramatic decline in all types of travel, including by air, ship, and land. Business traveler numbers are no exception. As businesses embrace modern telecommunication tools to communicate with employees, clients, suppliers, and other stakeholders, a new trend has evolved – the trend of replacing business travel with online meetings and events.

In August 2020, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, Alexander Joe wrote the following in an article we published :

“Business travel has been hit hard during the pandemic. Before you make travel arrangements, make sure that you are permitted to enter your country of destination by checking the latest government guidelines. If possible, it is wise to avoid travel, and if possible, to conduct meetings with colleagues and clients digitally for the time being.”

A permanent trend?

Many conference organizers and airline executives wonder whether this new online trend will prevail after the pandemic is over. Companies have not only found that modern technology is suitable for their needs, but also that communicating online with faraway people is considerably cheaper than face-to-face.

Anything that saves money and helps boost the bottom line is an attractive prospect for CEOs and board members. Bottom line , in this context , means net profit, net earnings, net income, or net EPS (earnings per share).

In a BBC article, Natasha Frost wrote :

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, business travel has ground to a halt. We’ve moved critical client meetings to Zoom, allowed our frequent-flier cards to gather dust and learned how to communicate with colleagues around the world without jumping on a plane.”

“But is this the start of a new normal for business travel?”

Pros and cons of business travel

Traveling is great for broadening the mind and learning new things. However, if somebody has a family, there is definitely a price to pay. Missing family events may contribute to relationship difficulties.

It is also difficult if you don’t have any children but have a partner at home that you like to be with as much as possible.

Many people who travel frequently on business say that they feel lonely while away. Healthcare professionals, for example, have commented that several of their patients who regularly go on business trips show signs of declining mental health, and in some cases, depression.

Jet lag or jet lag disorder is common for people who travel across time zones. Jet lag is primarily a temporary sleep disorder which can make you feel unwell and cause daytime fatigue. Sufferers often find it hard to stay alert and may also have gastrointestinal problems.

If you suffer from jet lag, you have a greater risk of being involved in a road accident. Try to get somebody else to drive if you feel drowsy when you get back from your trip.

If your business travel is successful, i.e., good for your employer, your opportunities for promotion may improve. If you visit branches of your company, you will make new face-to-face contacts. In fact, one of them may offer you an interesting position in the future. Without your trips, this opportunity may never arise.

On a personal note, if you like learning about different cultures and how people abroad go about their lives, business travel is great. Not only do you learn a lot, but you also do it on the company’s expense.

If you accumulate lots of airmiles or reward points, you can use them for big discounts when you take your family on vacation. You may get special concessions from airlines, airports (VIP lounges), hotel chains, restaurants, currency exchange agencies, and car rental companies.

With the advancement of smart technology, business travel is becoming more efficient as travelers can check in, navigate airports, and manage itineraries using their smartphones.

Terms related to business travel

There are many words and expressions in the English language that are related to business travel. Let’s look at six compound phrases that contain the words “business travel,” understand their meanings, and see how they are used in a sentence:

Business travel expenses

The costs incurred while traveling for work purposes. Example: “The finance department requires all receipts to accurately reimburse business travel expenses.”

Business travel policy

A set of guidelines a company establishes for employees to follow when traveling on business. Example: “Before booking your flight, please review the business travel policy for approved airlines and accommodation.”

Business travel insurance

Insurance coverage designed to protect travelers from risks associated with traveling for work. Example: “Given the unpredictability of international trips, our company always recommends purchasing business travel insurance.”

Business travel management

The process or practice of managing and organizing corporate travel. Example: “Our agency specializes in business travel management, ensuring clients have a seamless experience.”

Business travel consultant

A professional who advises on and arranges all aspects of travel for businesses and their employees. Example: “To optimize our travel budget, we hired a business travel consultant.”

Business travel planner

A tool or service used to organize the details of travel for work. Example: “The business travel planner app was instrumental in coordinating the complex itinerary for our sales team’s roadshow.”

Video – What is Business Travel?

This video, from our YouTube partner channel – Marketing Business Network – explains what ‘Business Travel’ is using simple and easy-to-understand language and examples.

Share this:

• Renewable Energy
• Artificial Intelligence
• 3D Printing
• Financial Glossary

Business travellers are ready to take off again - if certain conditions are met - says survey

The extent to which business travel will make a comeback may be fairly modest. Image:  Unsplash/Gary Lopater

.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo{-webkit-transition:all 0.15s ease-out;transition:all 0.15s ease-out;cursor:pointer;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:none;color:inherit;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:hover,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo:focus,.chakra .wef-1c7l3mo[data-focus]{box-shadow:0 0 0 3px rgba(168,203,251,0.5);} Sean Fleming

.chakra .wef-9dduvl{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-9dduvl{font-size:1.125rem;}} Explore and monitor how .chakra .wef-15eoq1r{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-size:1.25rem;color:#F7DB5E;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-15eoq1r{font-size:1.125rem;}} COVID-19 is affecting economies, industries and global issues

.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;color:#2846F8;font-size:1.25rem;}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-1nk5u5d{font-size:1.125rem;}} Get involved with our crowdsourced digital platform to deliver impact at scale

Stay up to date:.

• The majority of global business travellers are willing to resume travelling for work.
• But only if certain conditions are met, according to a new survey.
• Business travellers want a greater say in how they travel and where they stay, post-pandemic.
• A sizeable number say that they will quit their jobs if travel flexibility is not offered by their employers.

The majority of people whose jobs involve business travel are itching to get back out there. But only if their employers go the extra mile and offer plenty of travel flexibility.

Research carried out for the business software company SAP, found that 96% of business travellers say they are “willing to travel for business over the next 12 months” . Almost two-thirds (65%) say they are “very willing”.

Their eagerness to get back to globe-trotting is, for the most part, down to two reasons. The first is the harm being done to business relationships by not travelling. SAP found that 80% fear their professional lives will suffer, 38% are concerned they’ll experience a drop in earnings, while 33% worry their progress on the career path will suffer if they don’t increase their business travel this year.

Business or pleasure?

The second reason is more personal. After a long period of restricted travel opportunities, 89% of people surveyed said they intend to mix business with pleasure by tacking untaken vacation days on to work trips. For 41%, travel offers a welcome change from everyday life, while 11% said their partner simply wants them out of the house.

Expectations of quality, flexibility and safety are soaring, the SAP survey says. When asked about additional benefits they expect from their employers, 52% said they want to choose direct flights, 41% said they want to stay in four or five star accommodation. A similar number (39%) want to fly business or first class, too.

Of course, health and safety matters ranked highly as well, with 89% saying the freedom to make their own arrangements will enable them to better protect themselves from COVID-19.

This desire for flexibility is a top priority for younger people, with 59% of Generation-Z business travellers saying they’d rather have a “crying toddler in the seat behind them than have no control over when and where they travel for work”.

Have you read?

Global business travel will survive covid-19, study says, a new era of sustainable travel prepares for take-off, decarbonizing aviation requires a transition to sustainable fuel. here’s how governments can help..

Cleared for take-off

The extent to which business travel will make a comeback may be fairly modest, though. Another survey, from Deloitte, says that even though it is on the rise in the second half of 2021, business travel will stay significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. “Total spend in Q4 2021 is projected to reach somewhere between 25%-35% of 2019 levels”, Deloitte says, adding that even by the end of the year, one-third of companies expect their spending on business travel will be lower than 25% of 2019 levels.

When assessing the need to reignite travel, there are some particular indicators businesses are tracking, Deloitte says. Top of that list are vaccination and infection rates. Others include the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions, and the reopening of offices.

Even after having taken those considerations into account, the SAP survey warns businesses that some of their employees will consider leaving if they feel excluded from travel plans, or that their welfare is at risk.

Almost half (48%) of young employees will start looking for a new job, which averages out at 20% for the whole workforce. Meanwhile, around one-third (31%) would request that they travel less frequently if their company does not implement policies or measures to help protect their health and safety.

Don't miss any update on this topic

Create a free account and access your personalized content collection with our latest publications and analyses.

License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

Related topics:

The agenda .chakra .wef-n7bacu{margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;line-height:1.388;font-weight:400;} weekly.

A weekly update of the most important issues driving the global agenda

.chakra .wef-1dtnjt5{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;} More on Industries in Depth .chakra .wef-17xejub{-webkit-flex:1;-ms-flex:1;flex:1;justify-self:stretch;-webkit-align-self:stretch;-ms-flex-item-align:stretch;align-self:stretch;} .chakra .wef-nr1rr4{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;white-space:normal;vertical-align:middle;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:0.75rem;border-radius:0.25rem;font-weight:700;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;line-height:1.2;-webkit-letter-spacing:1.25px;-moz-letter-spacing:1.25px;-ms-letter-spacing:1.25px;letter-spacing:1.25px;background:none;padding:0px;color:#B3B3B3;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;}@media screen and (min-width:37.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:0.875rem;}}@media screen and (min-width:56.5rem){.chakra .wef-nr1rr4{font-size:1rem;}} See all

Agritech: Shaping Agriculture in Emerging Economies, Today and Tomorrow

Confused about AI? Here are the podcasts you need on artificial intelligence

Robin Pomeroy

April 25, 2024

Which technologies will enable a cleaner steel industry?

Daniel Boero Vargas and Mandy Chan

Industry government collaboration on agritech can empower global agriculture

Abhay Pareek and Drishti Kumar

April 23, 2024

Nearly 15% of the seafood we produce each year is wasted. Here’s what needs to happen

Charlotte Edmond

April 11, 2024

How Paris 2024 aims to become the first-ever gender-equal Olympics

Victoria Masterson

April 5, 2024

Who is a business traveller?

• Post author: Dikshant Mehta
• Post published: September 8, 2023
• Post category: Blogs

Share this with your network! Share this content

• Opens in a new window

Although the term “business traveller” may sound simple, there is more depth to it than meets the eye. Is it just about flying first class and attending business meetings, or is there a wider context? This article will provide as many answers as possible to the question, “Who is a business traveller?”

To get a complete picture, we’ll cover every aspect, from basic explanations to the latest trends.

This article is aimed at travel managers, HRs, travel policy creators, or decision makers of any company or SME who feel there is a need to define “business traveller” for their company’s paperwork, policies, and compliance creation.

Basic Definition of Business Traveller

Simply put, a business traveller is someone who takes trips for professional rather than leisure reasons. Whether it’s to attend a conference, meet with clients, or even take on long-term assignments in a different city, the purpose is unavoidably business-related.

But is it that simple? Why is it necessary to clearly define a “business traveller” for your company?

Why is defining business traveller important?

The importance of having a precise definition extends beyond mere semantics. There are many reasons why it’s crucial to know exactly who is considered a “business traveller.”

Policy Compliance

It is much easier to enforce company travel policies if employees know who is considered a business traveller. What does it mean?

Companies usually have different rules for each type of employees. When you clearly define who in the company is classified as a business traveller, then you can make sure that they follow certain rules that are unique to this category. Hence, it helps in ensuring things run smoothly and cuts down on travel risks.

Imagine a scenario where your company’s generic employee policy restricts hotel stays to a certain budget per night. For most employees, this might be sufficient, but for a business traveller who might need to entertain clients or have more equipment, a budget hotel might not suffice. If you define and recognise the employee as a business traveller, you can design a different, more flexible policy for them.

Expense Management

It helps businesses better classify and control travel costs. From approval workflows to reimbursement mechanisms, understanding this can lead to cost savings and efficient expense tracking.

Let’s say your company is using a platform like TaxiVaxi to manage its travel needs. As a travel manager, you can set different approval workflows for business travellers who frequently need last-minute changes, thereby fast-tracking their booking process without compromising on budget caps. This leads to increased efficiency.

Strategic Planning

If you can identify who your business travellers are and especially their travel patterns , Such information, along with their specific needs, can be invaluable for strategic planning. This information could have an impact on everything from hotel and airline partnerships to the creation of specialised travel insurance plans.

Let’s take an example here. You’ve noticed that many of your business travellers frequently visit one specific city. Long-term travel and accommodation costs can be reduced by using this information to bargain for group discounts from local hotels or by considering setting up a small satellite office in the city. Knowing your business travellers’ demographics is essential to developing this strategy.

Types of Business Travellers

Business travellers are often defined by their roles or the frequency with which they travel. Here, let’s categorise them according to their frequency:

Frequent Business Travellers:

These are individuals who are almost always on the move, such as salespeople and consultants.

Occasional Business Travellers:

People like IT experts or human resources professionals, who might only travel for specific events or tasks.

Role of Occupation in Business Travel

Certain professions are inherently more inclined to require travel. For example:

• Salespeople often have territories that require regular visits.
• Consultants may need to be on-site with a client for extended periods.
• Journalists and reporters frequently travel for stories.

Understanding these roles can help companies adapt their travel policies to fit the unique needs of each occupation.

Impact of Technology on Business Travel

Video conferencing and other forms of remote work seem like they would cut down on the need for business travellers to travel for work. On the other hand, the opposite has been observed. Virtual connections often lead to face-to-face meetings, which shows how important it is to talk to people in person.

Expense and Compliance

It’s easier to manage expenses and ensure compliance when you have a clear definition of a business traveller. Issues often arise when:

• Employees use personal accounts for booking travel, leading to complications in claiming input tax credits (ITC) under Indian GST law.
• Travellers who aren’t classified correctly can lead to non-compliant activities, affecting the company’s bottom line.

Company Policies and Business Travellers

The categorization of a business traveller can significantly affect the company’s travel policies. For example, a frequent traveller might have different allowances and approval processes compared to an occasional traveller.

Global Differences

Different countries might have varied definitions or guidelines about who constitutes a business traveller. In the European Union, for instance, specific visa categories are tailored for business travellers, distinct from leisure tourists.

Future Trends

As the nature of work continues to evolve, so will the definition of a business traveller. Remote working trends and an increasingly globalised workforce will create new categories and requirements.

Business-Combined-with-Pleasure

A new trend involves combining business trips with leisure activities, often termed “bleisure” . Does the leisure aspect of the trip take away the status of being a business traveller? Not really. As long as the primary purpose of the trip is business, the traveller will be considered a business traveller.

Remote workers and digital nomads

The rise of remote work and digital nomadism in today’s workforce has further blurred these lines. For a digital nomad who might be working from a beach in Bali, are they business travellers? Although this is still up for debate, the general consensus currently holds that if you are travelling to complete work responsibilities, it is possible that you could be considered a business traveller.

Business Travel During COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of online meetings. However, necessary business travel has continued, albeit with stricter regulations. In this context, “essential” can have a very broad or narrow meaning, depending on the context of the business. But even in this context, those who must travel for work purposes are business travellers.

Understanding who a business traveller is goes beyond the dictionary definition. It’s a varied job that can be affected by factors like one’s profession, how often one travels, how far along the technological curve one is, and even one’s physical location. A more strategic business approach is possible with better policy implementation and cost management when these details are known and understood.

Ready to manage your business travel more effectively? Contact TaxiVaxi for personalised, comprehensive solutions.

You Might Also Like

Difference between B2B and B2C Models in Cabs: Redefining Urban Mobility with Fleet 24×7

Avoid using Consumer Travel Apps for Your Business Needs. Here’s Why?

Pack like a pro with this business trip packing list [Downloadable checklist PDF included]

Schedule a call.

Who are the business travelers and how do they behave?

Since the earliest trade routes between cities, there have been business travelers. For millennia, there has been a steady change in business travel behavior and some of the most rapid change has occurred within the last 16 years. From web-based researching tools being little better than hit or miss to advanced booking options that have dramatically changed the world of travel, to travel agencies that moved online and self-booking tools plus a slew of other advancements, the world for corporate travelers has changed forever. 

So who are the business travelers of the 21st century?

Modern business travelers span all age ranges but one of the largest segments of corporate travelers are the Millennials . For Millennials who barely can remember a day without the internet and who became adults during the advent of online travel agencies, self-booking tools, and smartphones, their concept of business travel is helping to shape the future of travel.

Something that spans all generations is the culture of business travelers and that culture is changing in surprising new ways.

One of the ways that the future of corporate travelers has changed is with the use of technology . Online booking tools have taken the world by storm and have supplanted some travel agents as the primary agent by which people find their flights. However, travel agents are not without their purpose anymore. One of the drawbacks of a near infinite amount of information is that it can begin to clutter your options. This is just as true for individuals as it is for corporate travel.

Many businesses to spare themselves the hassle of paying an employee to book their own flights and accommodations will either act as the employee’s agent or pay an agency to set everything up. This allows for the corporate executives to have a professional level of care for each step of their business travel.

Another way that technology has changed corporate travel behavior is in its ubiquity . It is truly everywhere and because of that , its benefits can be applied at every stage of travel. For instance, you can book a flight and hotel on your phone, scan a digital plane ticket on your tablet, read emails and draft business plans with in-flight  Wi-Fi, use Wi-Fi calling or texting on location to have your ground transportation ready, use a smartphone app to work out the exchange rates, translate languages, plan your schedule, automatically update you on any changes, and even pay for portions of your trip digitally. At every step , there is either a device or an app to assist you along the way.

But what does the future of this kind of life – with travel and technology syncing – look like?

It could look a lot like an app concept that was brought up at a recent interview between Marriott International’s global brand officer Brian King and Skift. In the interview , Brian King described a possible future app that would be like an intelligent automated assistant for people coming to a Marriott hotel or any of their other organizations. The idea is that you have a file open with them once you book, and the app begins to chart your progress. If your plane gets delayed or is arriving early, the app automatically updates your ground transportation so you are not waiting between exiting the airport and getting picked up.

If you come in late, the app lets the hotel know and if a room better suited to your preferences becomes available due to the delay, you may get an upgrade to something more reflective of your corporate stature. Going to be really late? This app could note that the driver is coming directly to your hotel so hotel staff could automatically be sent to make sure your room has a treat for you or even contact you if you would like room service to have a meal in your room ready for your arrival.

Although this kind of app does not yet exist, each of its core elements does and it will not be long before every corporate traveler has their own unique travel profile updated with preferences of food and lodging saved. The app will also be able to keep track of his or her travel progress to ensure a perfect trip every time.

Another common trait of the 21st-century  travelers is that they make extraordinary use of the shared economy . Companies that cater to travelers like Airbnb and Uber have seen nearly double growth in the summer and they are just an indication of a much wider concept that business travelers like the auto booking tools but ultimately they also enjoy the human experience and would rather have a home and a private driver than a hotel or a taxi.

This idea of the shared economy, which has become very popular with younger corporate travelers, is changing the face of the industry. This is partly because it allows for greater convenience , which is one of the single greatest driving forces behind all business travel behavior.

So who are the business  travelers?

They are the most technologically savvy, socially driven, shared economy smart travelers in the world today. They can go anywhere in the world utilizing apps and smartphones, no longer limited to places they have been before or languages they know already. The modern corporate traveler is truly a man or woman of the world.

Read also  Corporate Travel Planners: who are they and how can they help you .

—–

Check out the Slideshare presentation:

Share this blog post on your social media or email it to a friend

Related posts.

How to Build Strong Relationships with Your Clients as a Travel Agent

Elevating Business Travel with NDC Content in TTS Corporate

The Essential Travel Agent Skills: A Guide to Success

4 Reasons Why You Should Work with a Travel Agent

The Rise of Low-Cost Carriers: A New Era for Travel Agents

Leave a comment cancel reply.

See how Cvent can solve your biggest event challenges. Watch a 30-minute demo.

What Is Business Travel? Importance and Types

Business travel has always been an integral part of the corporate world. It provides opportunities to meet clients face-to-face, attend conferences and networking events, and explore new markets. 

However, as much as business travel can be exciting, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. From flight delays and cancellations to tracking approvals and keeping spending in check, numerous obstacles can make business travel stressful and overwhelming. 

In this blog, we will explore the challenges and solutions of business travel and provide insights on how businesses can optimize their policies and practices to make them more efficient, cost-effective, and enjoyable for everyone involved. 

What is Business Travel?

Millions of professionals worldwide engage in business travel each year. Business travel is when you hit the road or take to the skies for work-related purposes. So, if you've ever traveled across state lines for a meeting or hopped on a plane for a conference, you've been on a business trip. 

According to  the Bureau of Transportation Statistics , Americans take over 400 million long-distance business trips yearly, accounting for roughly 16% of all long-distance travel.

What is the Importance of Business Travel?

It's clear that business travel is a significant part of many companies' operations, but what motivates them to send their employees on these journeys? There are several reasons why companies invest in business travel. Here are some of them: 

1. Closing Deals

Business deals often involve significant negotiation, and in-person meetings can be critical to reaching an agreement. When people meet in person, they can build trust and establish personal connections that are difficult to achieve through virtual communication. As such, closing deals in person is a common reason for business travel. 

2. Exploring New Markets

Companies looking to expand into new markets often send representatives to explore the conditions on the ground and conduct research. Visiting a new market can provide valuable insights into consumer behavior, local regulations, and cultural norms that can help companies tailor their products and services to a new audience. 

3. Building Relationships

One of the primary advantages of business travel is its opportunity to build stronger relationships with clients, partners, and colleagues. While email, phone, and video conferencing are convenient, nothing beats face-to-face interactions regarding establishing trust and rapport.

You can pick up on nonverbal cues during in-person meetings and establish a more personal connection. It can lead to a deeper understanding of the other person's needs and goals, which can ultimately help you provide better service or products. Additionally, in-person meetings can help address any concerns or issues more quickly and efficiently, preventing them from becoming more significant problems down the line. 

4. Networking

Attending industry events, trade shows, and conferences can provide networking opportunities, learning about new trends, and meeting potential clients and partners.

Networking can be invaluable for building relationships, finding new clients or partners, and staying up-to-date with industry best practices. For example, attending a trade show can provide opportunities to showcase your products or services, meet potential clients, and learn about the latest market trends. 

5. Competitive Advantage

Companies prioritizing business travel and investing in face-to-face meetings with clients and partners can gain a competitive advantage over those relying solely on digital communication. By meeting with clients and partners in person, companies can establish more personal connections and build trust, leading to more business opportunities and revenue. 

Here's a  business travel checklist  to make business travel for your employees less stressful. 

Different Types of Business Travel

Business travel can take many forms, depending on the purpose of the trip and the activities involved. Here are some of the most common types of business travel: 

• Event and Conference Travel:  Companies often send employees to corporate events and conferences where attendees can learn and network with peers, potential clients, and service providers. 
• Training and Education: Companies may send employees to conferences and workshops to learn about trends and best practices in their functional areas. These events can provide valuable opportunities for professional development and networking, helping employees stay up-to-date on the latest industry developments and build relationships with others in their field. 
• Internal Meetings and Visiting Offices:  National and multinational companies may need to send employees and leadership to other offices to discuss specific projects and business strategies or to build a more integrated organizational culture. 
• Company Retreats:  Some companies hold retreats annually or multiple times yearly to help teams grow stronger and build company culture through shared activities.
• Client Meetings:  Maintaining solid relationships with existing clients is crucial for many businesses. Account managers and others may regularly visit their most prominent clients to check in on them, take them out for a meal or drink, and generally show gratitude for their business. These visits can strengthen relationships and potentially lead to additional business. 
• Trade Fairs:  Many organizations attend trade shows and expos to display their products and services and connect with potential clients. Attending these events can effectively generate leads and build relationships with potential customers, especially in industries where face-to-face interactions are critical. 
• Transfers and Offshore Work:  Long-term transfers involve relocating employees to a different city or country for a certain period, usually to work on a specific project or set up a new function or business process. 
• Transient Travel:   Business transient  travelers typically refer to individuals who frequently travel for short periods, often for a business meeting or work-related. These travelers usually stay in hotels or temporary accommodations and frequently move between locations for work or other activities. 
• Bleisure Travel:  This hybrid travel style combines business and leisure travel, allowing employees to extend their business trips to leave time for sightseeing and relaxation. Bleisure travel can benefit employers and employees, encouraging employees to volunteer for business trips more often and providing a relaxing break. 

Top Challenges To Manage Business Travel 

As many businesses need help managing company travel, several issues affect day-to-day operations. These include: 

1. Managing Large Numbers of Requests

When managing large numbers of travel requests, keeping track of all the information and ensuring that requests are processed efficiently can be challenging. It can result in delays and frustration for employees waiting for travel approvals or information. 

For example, imagine a small company with just one finance person responsible for managing all travel requests. They receive requests from various team members in different formats—email, Slack messages, and in-person visits. It can lead to confusion and delays in processing the requests and distract the finance person from other essential tasks. 

2. Tracking Approvals

It's a massive headache if your company's travel approvals are manually emailed. Tracking travel approvals can be time-consuming and prone to errors. It can result in missed approvals, delayed travel, and frustration for employees waiting for approval. 

Imagine a team member submits a travel request, and the finance person then sends an email to the manager for approval. If the manager is busy or forgets to respond, the request may be delayed or even missed altogether, causing frustration for the employee who is scheduled to travel. 

3. Keeping Spending in Check

Managing travel costs can be difficult, especially when employees book trips independently or through different channels. It can result in overspending and frustration for finance teams who aim to keep costs under control. 

For example, imagine a company where employees book travel through different channels. Some employees book expensive hotels and flights, while others find cheaper options on discount travel websites. It can lead to inconsistency in travel costs and make it difficult for the finance team to manage and budget travel expenses. 

4. Being Flexible

Flexible travel policies can result in consistency, especially when balancing cost control with employee satisfaction. It can result in frustration for both employees and finance teams. 

For example, a business with restrictive travel policies can limit employees to specific airlines, hotels, and routes. It may help control costs, restrict employee options, and make travel less enjoyable. On the other hand, if policies are flexible, employees may book expensive options outside the budget. 

5. Reducing Errors

Reducing errors in travel management can be challenging, but it is essential to ensure accurate tracking of expenses and approvals. This can help prevent delays and frustration for employees and finance teams. 

How Companies Can Manage Business Travel  

Companies must make the process straightforward to ensure that team members comply with travel policies. If the process is simple, team members will find ways to circumvent the rules, and compliance will improve. The following are some common pitfalls to avoid: 

• Too many rules:  Too many, incredibly confusing or contradictory, can be overwhelming and frustrating for team members. It can lead to non-compliance or errors. 
• A high number of touches:  Too many touchpoints, like requiring additional emails to managers for approval, can slow down the process and make it difficult. 
• Lots of manual steps:  Requiring team members to file printed documents and receipts can be time-consuming and create opportunities for errors. 
• Unclear processes:  If team members are unsure of the steps or rules they must follow, they may become frustrated and disengage from the process. 

To ensure compliance and simplify the process, use  a corporate travel management system  that walks employees through each step. By automating the process and making it easy and intuitive, team members are more likely to follow the rules and comply with company policies. 

What is a Business Travel Solution? 

A travel management system is a software platform that helps companies manage their employees' travel-related activities and expenses. These systems can be purpose-built tools from third parties or developed in-house by large companies. However, building a travel management system from scratch doesn't make sense with the availability of business travel management tools out of the box for a relatively low cost. 

These systems aim to oversee, regulate, and coordinate a company's employees' travel activities and expenses. Previously, a company's office administrators or a dedicated travel manager would handle these tasks. However, with a travel management system, these manual tasks can be streamlined or automated, freeing up staff for more valuable work than monitoring others' travel plans. 

A  business travel solution  typically offers features such as online booking, expense tracking, policy compliance, travel budgeting, and reporting. They make booking, managing, and tracking business travel much simpler and more efficient for companies and their employees.  

As a business, it's essential to recognize the value of investing in business travel. There are numerous reasons why companies send their employees on these trips, including closing deals, exploring new markets, holding internal meetings, prospecting, educating, and visiting existing clients. These opportunities provide valuable experiences and insights to enhance your company's operations and bottom line. 

However, managing business travel can present challenges, such as managing large requests, tracking approvals, and dealing with changes in travel plans. To address these challenges, it's crucial to have a straightforward and streamlined travel policy outlining the process for requesting, approving, and booking travel and any expense and reimbursement policies. 

Another essential aspect of managing business travel is providing support and resources to employees while on the road. It includes ensuring they have the necessary technology and tools to stay connected and productive, providing guidance on safety and security, and offering access to travel support services in emergencies.

By recognizing the importance of business travel and implementing strategies to manage it effectively, your company can reap the benefits of enhanced collaboration, improved relationships with clients and partners, and increased opportunities for growth and success. 

So let your employees stay connected, build relationships and enjoy their next business trip!

John Hunter

John is the Senior Manager of Event Cloud Content Marketing at Cvent. He has 11 years of experience writing about the meetings and events industry. John also has extensive copywriting experience across diverse industries, including broadcast television, retail advertising, associations, higher education, and corporate PR.

More Reading

How to start an event planning business: the ultimate guide, how to run a meeting that gets real results: the ultimate guide, the speed networking guide: tips, benefits, and strategies for success.

Subscribe to our newsletter

• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality ›

Business Travel

Business travel in the U.S. - statistics & facts

How much does business travel contribute to the u.s. tourism sector, most expensive u.s. business travel destinations, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Business travel spending in the U.S. 2010-2025

Number of business travel jobs in the U.S. 2019-2021

U.S. inbound business travel spending 2020, by source region

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Current statistics on this topic.

Business Travel Spending

Global business travel spending 2001-2022

Top U.S. travel management partners 2020

Online Travel Market

Leading travel companies worldwide 2022, by sales

Related topics

Recommended.

• Tourism worldwide
• Travel and tourism in the U.S.
• Passenger airlines
• Billionaires around the world

Recommended statistics

• Premium Statistic Global business travel spending 2001-2022
• Basic Statistic G20 nations: business travel spending 2021
• Basic Statistic Share of tourism spending in leading global travel markets 2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of business travel jobs in the U.S. 2019-2021
• Premium Statistic Readiness of U.S. travelers to take business trips 2021

Expenditure of business tourists worldwide from 2001 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

G20 nations: business travel spending 2021

Expenditure of business tourists in G20 countries in 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Share of tourism spending in leading global travel markets 2022, by type

Distribution of leisure and business travel spending in the leading travel markets worldwide in 2022

Number of jobs supported by business tourism in the United States from 2019 to 2021, by segment (in 1,000s)

Readiness of U.S. travelers to take business trips 2021

Willingness to travel for business purposes in the United States as of October 2021

Volume of business tourism

• Premium Statistic Business travel volume in the U.S. 2010-2021
• Premium Statistic Growth rate of domestic business trips in the U.S. 2017-2026
• Premium Statistic Inbound business tourism volume in the U.S. 2011-2021
• Premium Statistic Main source countries for U.S. inbound business travel 2022
• Premium Statistic Average monthly trips by U.S. business travelers 2022, by type

Business travel volume in the U.S. 2010-2021

Number of trips made by business tourists in the United States from 2010 to 2021, by main destination (in millions)

Growth rate of domestic business trips in the U.S. 2017-2026

Percentage change in the number of trips made by domestic business tourists in the United States from 2017 to 2022, with forecast until 2026

Inbound business tourism volume in the U.S. 2011-2021

Number of business visitor arrivals from overseas to the United States from 2011 to 2021 (in 1,000s)

Main source countries for U.S. inbound business travel 2022

Leading countries of origin for overseas business visitor arrivals in the United States in 2022 (in 1,000s)

Average monthly trips by U.S. business travelers 2022, by type

Expected average number of trips per month by business tourists in the United States as of September 2022, by type

Business travel spending

• Premium Statistic U.S. inbound business travel spending 2010-2021
• Premium Statistic U.S. inbound business travel spending 2020, by source region
• Premium Statistic Main source markets for U.S. inbound business travel spending 2020
• Premium Statistic U.S. outbound business travel spending 2010-2021
• Premium Statistic Main recipient countries of U.S. outbound business travel spending 2020
• Premium Statistic U.S. domestic business travel spending 2019-2026
• Premium Statistic Daily business tourism expenses in the United States 2018-2021
• Premium Statistic Highest-priced U.S. business travel destinations Q4 2022

U.S. inbound business travel spending 2010-2021

Expenditure of international business tourists in the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Expenditure of international business tourists in the United States in 2020, by region of origin (in million U.S. dollars)

Main source markets for U.S. inbound business travel spending 2020

Leading countries for international business tourism in the United States in 2020, by share of total spending

U.S. outbound business travel spending 2010-2021

Expenditure of international business tourists from the United States from 2010 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Main recipient countries of U.S. outbound business travel spending 2020

Leading countries of destination for business tourists from the United States in 2020, by share of total spending

U.S. domestic business travel spending 2019-2026

Expenditure of domestic business tourists in the United States from 2019 to 2022, with forecast until 2026 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Daily business tourism expenses in the United States 2018-2021

Average business travel cost in the United States from 4th quarter 2018 to 4th quarter 2021 (in U.S. dollars per day)

Highest-priced U.S. business travel destinations Q4 2022

Most expensive cities for business tourism in the United States in 4th quarter 2022, by average daily cost (in U.S. dollars)

• Premium Statistic Biggest corporate travel spenders in the U.S. 2022, by booked air volume
• Premium Statistic Top U.S. travel management partners 2020
• Premium Statistic Favorite hotel brands for corporate travel during COVID-19 in the United States 2021
• Premium Statistic Predictions on reduction of U.S. corporate travel spend due to green goals 2025
• Premium Statistic Predictions on corporate travel spending in the United States 2022, by destination

Biggest corporate travel spenders in the U.S. 2022, by booked air volume

Leading companies for business travel spending in the United States in 2022, by booked air volume (in million U.S. dollars)

Leading travel management companies in the United States in 2020, by number of top partnerships

Favorite hotel brands for corporate travel during COVID-19 in the United States 2021

Best hotel brands amid the COVID-19 pandemic according to business travel managers in the United States as of September 2021

Predictions on reduction of U.S. corporate travel spend due to green goals 2025

Expected impact of companies' sustainable initiatives on business travel spending in the United States in 2025

Predictions on corporate travel spending in the United States 2022, by destination

Expected change in international business travel spending according to travel managers in the United States in 2022, by region of destination

Bleisure travel

• Premium Statistic Adoption of digital nomads' way of living in the U.S. 2022
• Premium Statistic Major reasons to take bleisure trips for U.S. business travelers 2022
• Premium Statistic Favorite trip length for U.S. bleisure travelers 2022
• Premium Statistic Favorite countries for U.S. Americans to work remotely 2021
• Premium Statistic Most important features at accommodations for U.S. bleisure travelers 2022

Adoption of digital nomads' way of living in the U.S. 2022

Share of employees planning to adopt a digital nomad lifestyle in the United States as of February 2022

Major reasons to take bleisure trips for U.S. business travelers 2022

Main motivating factors to combine business with leisure trips for corporate travelers in the United States as of February 2022

Favorite trip length for U.S. bleisure travelers 2022

Preferred length of stay for trips combining business with leisure activities in the United States as of February 2022

Favorite countries for U.S. Americans to work remotely 2021

Preferred international workation destinations for remote workers from the United States as of December 2021

Most important features at accommodations for U.S. bleisure travelers 2022

Preferred accommodation amenities for bleisure tourists in the United States as of February 2022, by utility score

Travel behavior of remote workers

• Premium Statistic Workation destination choice of remote workers from the U.S. 2021
• Premium Statistic Motivations of U.S. Americans who work remotely to choose workation 2021
• Premium Statistic Duration of workations by U.S. Americans who work remotely 2021
• Premium Statistic Main concerns of U.S. remote workers when picking workation lodging 2021
• Premium Statistic U.S. remote workers' satisfaction with workation experience 2021

Workation destination choice of remote workers from the U.S. 2021

Distribution of remote workers from the United States as of December 2021, by destination type

Motivations of U.S. Americans who work remotely to choose workation 2021

Main reasons to combine work and leisure travel for remote workers from the United States as of December 2021

Duration of workations by U.S. Americans who work remotely 2021

Preferred length of trips involving work and leisure for remote workers from the United States as of December 2021

Main concerns of U.S. remote workers when picking workation lodging 2021

Main considerations to choose an accommodation for work and leisure travel by remote workers from the United States as of December 2021

U.S. remote workers' satisfaction with workation experience 2021

Evaluation of trips involving work and leisure by remote workers from the United States as of December 2021

Further reports Get the best reports to understand your industry

Get the best reports to understand your industry.

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Business Travel 101: What is Business Travel? And Why Use a Travel Management Company?

If you’re wondering why to use a travel management company, discover the many benefits partnering with one can deliver..

When you’re just getting started with business travel, you may encounter the term “travel management company,” or TMC for short. Why use a travel management company? There are many benefits that companies discover when they partner with a TMC.

To help you accelerate your journey into business travel. Here’s a look at the motivations behind business travel as well as the benefits of working with a TMC.

What is Business Travel?

Business travel is when an employee leaves his or her primary office to work elsewhere. This can include short trips, like leaving your home in Los Angeles to visit a prospective client in San Diego. And this can include long trips, like flying from Chicago to London for meetings with your company’s UK office. 

Americans make more than 400 million long-distance business trips each year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics . Those trips account for about 16% of all long-distance travel. What motivates companies to send their employees on these journeys?

There are a number of reasons to travel for business:

• Closing Deals: It’s common to close large and important deals in-person.
• Exploring New Markets: Companies looking to expand into new markets will visit them to explore the conditions on the ground and to conduct research.
• Internal Meetings: In an age of remote work, companies may ask employees to travel for internal meetings or other collaboration events.
• Prospecting: Organizations often attend expos to display their products and/or services and to find prospective clients.
• Education: Companies may ask employees to travel to conferences where they can learn more about trends and best practices in their functional areas.
• Visiting Existing Clients: Account managers and others may regularly visit their largest clients. They can check in on them, to take them out for a meal or drink, and generally to show gratitude for their business.

These are just several examples of reasons why companies may ask employees to travel. There are countless motivations for workers to leave their primary offices for several days at a time.

Who Manages Corporate Travel?

The actual people who manage travel fall into two categories: internal and external.

Internally, a company may use someone in the human resources department to help book trips for Travelers and otherwise manage the travel program. Companies with more intensive travel schedules may have a dedicated Travel Manager or someone who arranges travel for employees.

Companies also work with third parties to manage travel. Organizations can completely outsource their travel to a third party. But it’s more often a hybrid approach where someone internal (like a Travel Manager) works in tandem with a third-party (like a TMC).

Why Use a Travel Management Company? 

As you explore business travel for your company, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the many tasks and responsibilities associated with managing travel. That’s why so many organizations choose to work with a TMC.

TMCs work with everything from small businesses with limited travel needs to large enterprises with enormous travel budgets.

These companies choose to work with TMCs because of the many benefits a third-party management company can deliver, including:

• Greater efficiency: A TMC can help the business and its Travelers do everything faster and more efficiently. You have a team of travel experts in your corner so that your employees can focus on doing their work.
• Lower costs: TMCs often have access to discounts that aren’t available to just anyone. They can also help organizations negotiate favorable contracts with vendors.
• Managed risk: Risk management is how companies live up to their duty-of-care responsibility to keep employees healthy and safe while away from the office. Many TMCs offer risk management services that help companies live up to that responsibility.
• Comprehensive policies: It’s hard to create a comprehensive travel policy from scratch. TMCs can help your organization develop a travel policy that meets both the company’s needs and the needs of its Travelers.
• Technology implementation: The right technologies can help you maximize your investment in business travel. A TMC can help you identify and implement the right technologies for your organization.
• Custom reporting: Optimizing travel spend is only possible when you have access to your travel data. TMCs can help you accrue and analyze your travel data so you can optimize your program.
• Assistance with trip disruptions: Things happen during business travel. A weather event might close an airport, for example, or mechanical issues may delay a flight. TMCs can step in and help when those disruptions occur.

As noted in the previous section, TMCs often work with a Travel Manager or another point person at their clients’ companies to get the most out of business travel. For example, a TMC may develop a system for custom reporting. Then a Travel Manager will present data to executives when making important travel-related decision. Or a Travel Manager may work with internal parties to create a travel policy. Then a TMC will review the policy and make recommendations on how to improve it.

Looking for the Best TMC?

If you’re looking for a TMC, you’ll find two different payment structures. Some TMCs will charge fees for booking and other activities, which can quickly add up and make your travel program more expensive. Others create inclusive contracts at a fixed cost so that they can serve as a true resource to their clients without worrying about expensive fees.

At JTB Business Travel, we take the latter approach of creating inclusive contracts that allow us to serve as a true resource to our clients. We help the companies maximize their spend on business travel, while also ensuring Travelers enjoy the most productive and comfortable trips possible. Behind everything we do is a common-sense approach to business travel.

Contact us today to discover what we can do as your TMC.

Related Post

Travel by Train vs. Plane for Short Trips

When it comes to choosing travel by train vs plane, there’s a lot to consider: speed, convenience, price—and, of course, sustainability. Depending on where you live in the world, your first instinct might be to Read more

Prioritize Traveler Mental Health and Wellbeing with Stress-Free Travel

Ensure your Travelers are more productive on the road and willing to take that next business trip. Prioritize more positive and stress-free travel experiences. It’s no secret that much of the world is living in Read more

5 Tips for Business Travel Expense Management

Whether you’re a Traveler, Executive, or Travel Manager, travel expense management comes with its challenges. It’s no secret that the global economy hasn’t exactly been in spectacular condition over the last few years. According to Read more

A Quick Guide to the New Carbon Emissions Categories

Changing sustainability assessments and carbon emissions calculations can impact the way your company does business. Here’s what you need to know about the new carbon emissions categories outlined by ADEME. Sustainability is becoming a greater Read more

Unpacking the Complexity of Airline Continuous Pricing

As NDC grows in popularity, some Travel Managers may find themselves surrounded by new rules, new ways of booking travel, and new terms — like airline continuous pricing. NDC definitely comes with a learning curve, Read more

Leave a Comment

Add to the conversation or ask a question: cancel reply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Post Categories

• For Executives
• For Travel Managers
• For Travelers
• Press Release

Recent Posts

So, What Do Flight Attendants Do Anyway?

What is Skiplagging? Think Twice Before You Skip!

Stay Up To Date!

The Choice Is Yours - Get the exact Business Travel information you want delivered directly to your inbox.

TravelConcierge News

TravelConcierge News (Japanese)

• Travel Risk Alerts

Waypoint Monthly News

JTB Event Updates

The latest from JTB Business Travel

• So, What Do Flight Attendants Do Anyway? They give a safety briefing and pass out some drinks, but their jobs are much more important than you might initially think. So, what do flight attendants do in the modern age of flying?   As a frequent business Traveler, you may take flight attendants for granted and hardly notice them, even as they tryRead […]
• Travel by Train vs. Plane for Short Trips When it comes to choosing travel by train vs plane, there’s a lot to consider: speed, convenience, price—and, of course, sustainability. Depending on where you live in the world, your first instinct might be to take the train if the journey’s short enough. This is especially the case if you live in a region withRead […]
• What is Skiplagging? Think Twice Before You Skip! Plenty of travel hacks aim to help you travel further, for cheaper — but many come with downsides. So what is skiplagging, and is it worth the risk? Are you familiar with the travel influencer community on social media? If so, you’re likely well aware of just what lengths these individuals will go to, toRead […]
• Prioritize Traveler Mental Health and Wellbeing with Stress-Free Travel Ensure your Travelers are more productive on the road and willing to take that next business trip. Prioritize more positive and stress-free travel experiences. It’s no secret that much of the world is living in a stressful state as of late. According to an Ipsos report from late 2023, 62% of survey respondents said theirRead […]
• The In’s and Out’s of Carbon Accounting Take your sustainability efforts to the next level with carbon accounting. Here’s everything you need to know about getting started. More and more employers and employees alike have begun considering their impact on the planet both while at home and while traveling for work. If you’re among them, you may have come across a rangeRead […]
• Meet Peggy Regan: Advocating for Clients and Supporting Traveler Goals For this senior account manager, travel is simply in her DNA. Chicago-based Peggy Regan started working in the travel industry in the 1980s. Today, she’s one of the newest members of the JTB Business Travel team, joining us as a senior account manager in October 2022. Keep reading to learn more about how Peggy gotRead […]
• 5 Tips for Business Travel Expense Management Whether you’re a Traveler, Executive, or Travel Manager, travel expense management comes with its challenges. It’s no secret that the global economy hasn’t exactly been in spectacular condition over the last few years. According to a World Bank January 2024 press release, the end of 2024 will cap off the slowest half-decade of GDP growth inRead […]
• Credit Cards That Cover Baggage Delays Baggage delays can derail your business trip; luckily, credit cards that cover baggage delays can alleviate some of the stress. When you’re traveling, there’s a whole host of things that can go wrong. Your flight could be delayed, resulting in you missing a connecting flight. Public transit can break down, making it difficult for youRead […]

SAP Concur Partner | TMC Elite

Privacy Statement

GDPR and Privacy Statement Europe

GDPR Privacy Statement

CCPA Privacy Policy

Copyright 2022 JTB Business Travel. All Rights Reserved. CST#2031531-50

Site by Ruff Haus

JTB Business Travel Services:

    •  Home

    •  For Travelers

    •  For Travel Managers

    •  For Executives

    •  Contact Us

Stay Connected:

• Trip Disruption Assistance
• Travel Ready, Travel Safe
• Book Travel Anytime
• Before Your Trip
• During Your Trip
• After Your Trip
• Business Intelligence
• Duty of Care
• Traveler Care
• Account Management Services
• Cost Saving Programs
• Full Content
• Travel Technologies
• Cost Avoidance
• Virtual Payments
• Risk Mitigation
• Travel Management 2.0
• Our Expertise
• Spend Management
• Corporate Meetings & Events
• JTB AnswerCenter
• Business Travel InSight
• Traveler Training
• Video Library
• Waypoint Blog
• Go Like a Pro with National
• eSIM Phone Services
• eVisa Assistance
• Global Entry Locations
• Print My Invoice
• Travel Requirements Help
• Travel Reports
• Traveler WorldCue
• TSA PreCheck Map
• JTB Business Travel
• JTB Business Travel Brand Resources

Business Traveler Meaning And Their Characteristics

Home » B2B » Business Traveler Meaning And Their Characteristics

The business traveler has come a long way through the centuries. It relates to the period when traders endured harsh weather and inhospitable terrains to cross rivers, oceans, and trade routes in search of business opportunities. Modern corporate travelers are internet savvy. They prefer using online business travel services such as self-booking solutions to execute business travel. Keep reading to know business traveler meaning and the key characteristics of seasoned business travelers

Technological advances in communication and transportation transformed business travel into a full-fledged industry comprising online travel agencies, travel management platforms, travel management companies, airline companies, hotels, and myriad travel vendors. Organizations strive to address business travelers’ needs and expectations to improve the productivity of business trips. .

Who are business travelers?

The simple definition of a business traveler is a person who travels for business purposes. The term business traveler reminds one of a traveling salesperson or trader moving from one place to another to meet prospective customers. However, business traveler meaning in a broader perspective covers diverse objectives such as attending corporate events, trade exhibitions, and conferences, meeting prospects for business expansion, exploring new investment opportunities, and strengthening customer relationships through networking. These types of business travelers cover faraway destinations, including domestic and international business locations, to achieve business objectives. Most business travelers are employees traveling on behalf of their organizations.

Characteristics of a good business traveler

Proactive, organized, punctual, and well-dressed are only a few attributes of a seasoned business traveler. However, there are several traits that make you a successful business traveler. Adopting these characteristics is crucial if you want to become one. Note the following characteristics of business travelers if you aspire to travel like a pro.

1. Travel light

Traveling is a pleasure if you are not carrying too many pieces of luggage. Heavy baggage can slow you down. Additionally, waiting at a baggage counter and security check can be a nightmare when you have a packed schedule of business meetings. Packing well and using a single carry-on suitcase make navigation a breeze. You can quickly exit the airport and reach the business location on time. Traveling light eliminates the physical and mental stress of any travel.

2. Have a clear purpose

Setting well-defined goals for each business trip is the foundation of successful business travel. Make the objectives achievable and measurable, as planning too many things will cause disarray if something goes wrong. Having clear goals for a business trip will help you focus on specific business activities. It will enhance the productivity of a business trip.

3. Adopt technology

Successful business travelers embrace the innovative technology of a travel management platform to streamline their business travel. SaaS-based travel management solutions such as Paxes ensure end-to-end automation of business travel. You can enjoy self-booking through a smartphone app, receive real-time travel alerts, and create and submit expense reports on the go, besides assurance of round-the-clock emergency support.

4. Strike a good work-life balance

A business tour need not be a stressful experience of chasing time, missing meals, and disturbed sleep. Devote time to stay connected with your near ones back home. Choose a hotel that provides good amenities and comforts for relaxing after a busy day. Follow your exercise schedule, explore the surroundings, and plan your work well.

Needs of business travelers

Business travel can be a tiring process. Hence, there should be clear needs and requirements of travelers to make the most out of trips. Here are some of the requirements of business travelers:

• Time management for a work life balance
• Being connected with the headquarter and managers during the travel
• Comfortable and convenient trips
• Flexibility of altering the schedule
• Safer traveling conditions

How can you improve the business traveler’s experience

Though business trips are unavoidable for the expansion of the business, there are many ways in which one can improve the experience of the employees traveling places for the same. Here are some of the efficient ways to enhance the overall experience of the travelers:

• Pre-trip planning
• Streamlined check-ins
• Customizable schedules
• Flexibility in travel policies
• Travel support
• Booking high-end amenities

No matter what type of business trip you plan, adopting these attributes of successful business travelers will surely help you get the most out of each business trip. Business travel meaning is rapidly shifting with the rise of the techno-savvy and adventure-loving millennial generation. Business travel is embracing technology to automate travel booking and expense process .

Suggested Read: Corporate Lodging Solutions: Perks On Hotel Bookings

Business Traveler Meaning FAQs

What is the most common purpose of business travel.

Business development is the commonest aim of business travel.

Does a company reimburse all expenses on a business trip?

Companies reimburse all travel expenses of an employee except for personal expenses.

How does business travel benefit the employee?

Employees can visit different places, develop new business relations, and broaden their outlook by exploring the world away from the office

Why is business travel different from leisure travel?

Unlike leisure travel, business travel is non-seasonal. It has low price sensitivity and better service quality.

Which are the two challenges of business travel?

Managing the safety and well-being of business travelers and ensuring a high ROI are two challenges of business travel.

How do you identify a business traveler?

To identify the business travelers needs, one must keep factors such as business expectations, comfort needs, safety requirements, and costing in mind.

What are examples of business traveler?

Business travelers include sales representatives, executives, consultants, journalists, researchers, government officials, and more.

What do business travelers want from airlines?

Business travelers look for comfortable seats, in flight amenities, less to no delays, security, flexibility, and more such things.

How can I find the best deals on flights and accommodations for business travel?

The companies can integrate with travel management companies to find competitive prices in one place. They can also look at the booking platforms to find the best deals for flights and accommodations.

How can I stay productive and organized while traveling for business?

There are various travel management software and apps that can assist business travelers during their business trips. They can see and manage their entire travel itinerary in one place and make all the transactions directly through the software. It helps them to focus on their business objective and keep themselves organized.

What are the key factors to consider when choosing a hotel for a business trip?

Consider the location and its accessibility to various local locations, look at the reviews online from past visitors, look for various amenities, and make sure that they incline with your needs, and check with the hotel for its policies.

How can I maintain a healthy work-life balance while traveling extensively for business?

It must be clearly mentioned in the Duty of Policy that the work-life balance must be properly maintained. The employee should allot their time of the day for work and family separately. They must not work overtime and stress themselves.

How do I handle travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations or delays, and ensure minimal impact on my business plans?

If you have an integration with a TMC, they will guide you through the disruptions in travel. However, all airlines provide alternative flights in case of cancellations. You can always get travel insurance while booking your flights to ensure minimal to no impact on business trips.

A business traveler distinguishes themselves from a regular tourist by the purpose of their trip and their activities. Business travelers venture primarily for work-related reasons, such as meetings, conferences, or negotiations, while tourists seek leisure, exploration, and relaxation. Business travelers follow packed schedules, often staying in convenient hotels chosen for proximity to work, with expenses frequently covered by employers. In contrast, tourists select accommodations based on personal preference and budget, enjoying recreational and cultural activities. Business trips are typically short and focused on professional objectives, whereas tourists have flexibility for extended stays.

What are the common reasons for someone to be considered a business traveler?

Common reasons for being considered a business traveler encompass professional pursuits. These include attending meetings and negotiations, participating in industry-specific events like conferences and seminars, engaging in training or workshops, conducting market research, providing expert advice or consulting services, and overseeing company operations in different regions. Business travelers contribute significantly to their organizations by advancing business goals through these work-related journeys.

Are there any benefits or challenges associated with being a business traveler?

Being a business traveler has its benefits and challenges. Positively, it offers opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and networking with industry peers. Exposure to diverse cultures fosters cultural understanding. However, challenges include stress and fatigue due to frequent travel, disruptions to routines, and work-life balance. Logistical issues like travel disruptions and language barriers can pose hurdles. Balancing these aspects necessitates effective planning and a keen awareness of personal and professional needs.

What features should I look for in a travel expense tracking app?

When choosing a travel expense tracking app, prioritize features such as receipt scanning, expense categorization, currency conversion, and real-time synchronization. These capabilities streamline the process of managing expenses during your business trips, ensuring efficiency and accuracy. Look for apps compatible with both iOS and Android platforms to cater to your device preferences.

Consider popular expense tracking apps like Expensify, Concur, Zoho Expense, Xpenditure, and TripIt, all available on both iOS and Android. These apps offer various levels of automation and customization, making them suitable for a range of business travel needs. They simplify expense organization, currency conversion, and reporting, enhancing your ability to manage expenses effectively.

How can these apps help me manage my expenses efficiently during a business trip?

Expense tracking apps can significantly improve efficiency during business trips by digitizing receipts, automating data entry, handling currency conversions, and providing real-time updates. They help ensure compliance with company policies and enable easy generation of customizable expense reports. By reducing administrative burdens, these apps allow you to focus more on your work, ultimately making your business trips more productive and stress-free.

Pratyush is a traveling enthusiast who always looks for innovations in business travel management. He has 5 years of experience writing content on corporate travel management and working closely with expert business travel facilitators.

Related Posts

Corporate Travel

Guide to different types of tourism and their features.

Since the beginning of time, travel has been an indispensable part of human life. In the modern world, the various aspects of travel have been accommodated into an organized word ‘Tourism’. With the ease of Read more…

Top Tips On Corporate Hotel Booking In Dubai

Dubai is a city of wonders and one of the biggest business centers in the Gulf. It has numerous corporate offices, tourist destinations, and shopping complexes. The continuous influx of professionals and tourists have offered Read more…

4 Grand Business Hotels In Pune, Maharashtra

Pune, a city renowned for its thriving business environment, is home to a selection of top-tier hotels that cater to the discerning needs of business travelers. These establishments seamlessly blend modern amenities, strategic locations, and Read more…

Let's get started!

Thanks for submitting your details.

We'll get back to you shortly.

Travel news, reviews and intel for high-flyers

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Welcome to the business traveler mailing list..

American Airlines Launches New Amenity Kits, Bedding, Flagship Suite

--> --> <--.

Making Waves: How Kelly Slater Is Breaking Boundaries

Atlanta Retains the Title as the World’s Busiest Airport in 2023

Trains vs. Planes: Which is Better for the Environment and the Business Traveler?

The 20 Most Luxurious Airports in the World

Latest news, what you need to know about delta’s new boarding process, delta brings back the popular boeing 747 american express skymiles reserve card, american airlines changes aadvantage policy: what you need to know, los angeles international airport to change terminal names and gate numbers, say goodbye to boarding passes with star alliance's facial recognition, dot’s airline refund ruling: what you need to know.

The TV Show

News Update: United's Mile Pooling, Delta's Newest Sky Club, SAS Leaves Star Alliance

The Perfect Drink with @ChatChowTV: Alex Aportela of Finka Table and Tap

Exclusive: gategroup CEO Talks Serving 900M Meals Annually, Qatar Airways Partnership

IATA VP Peter Cerdá Shares Insights on Airline Industry Challenges, Recovery, and Growth

Miami International Airport CEO Shares Ambitious Modernization Plans

News Update: American Airlines to Tokyo, Etihad's New Amenity Kits, Emirates to Bogota

Inside the Issue: Questlove on the Cover, Caribbean Escapes, and More

SkyTeam Talks New Partnerships, Air+Rail Challenges, Branded Lounges

News Update: JetBlue-Spirit Merger, On-Time Airline Rankings, Lounge Openings

Jeremy Taylor Test Drives the Morgan Plus Four and Super 3

The Business Traveler Awards: Insights from the Judges

An Exclusive Look Inside the JW Marriott Marquis Miami

News Update: United's New Boarding Procedure, Condor Airlines to San Antonio and More

News Update: Qantas to Paris, Boeing Factory Tour Reopens and More

The Best of The Business Traveler TV Show: Auto Reviews

Go Behind the Scenes with 'Fox NFL Sunday' Host Jay Glazer

'Queer Eye' Star Bobby Berk Shares His Favorite Places to Travel

Aqua Expeditions CEO Wants Travelers to Get Out of Their Comfort Zones

The Perfect Drink with @ChatChowTV: Luca Delogu of TUR Kitchen

Delta/LATAM Partnership: What Customers Can Expect

How Iberostar Hotel & Resorts Is Leading Industry Sustainability Efforts

Steve Aoki's Favorite Places to Travel

How James Asquith Plans to Launch the All-A380 Global Airlines

Mario Cantone's Favorite Places to Travel

The Complete Richard Branson Interview

What You Need to Know to Celebrate the 2024 F1 Miami Grand Prix in Style

How to Spend an Extra Day in Toronto

Puerto Rico: An Innovation Powerhouse

Meliá Hotels International Hailed as Europe's Most Sustainable Hotel Company by S&P Global

Tampa Bay: Work and Play, All in One Stay

A Totally Customized, One-Of-A-Kind Bottle of Clase Azul Awaits in Los Cabos

5 Trending Hotels to Visit Around the World This Spring

Smooth Sailing: 2024’s Top Cruise Trends

The Caribbean Is Entering a New Golden Age

Momentum Ventures Aims to Revolutionize Business Travel

Business Investment Overseas: The Competitive Advantages of Northern Ireland

Luxury All-Business Class Flights Bring High-End Tourism to Antarctica

How to Spend an Extra Day in New Orleans

Everything You Need to Know About the New Signia by Hilton Atlanta

Paradisus by Meliá Wants to Change Your Opinion of All-Inclusive Resorts

Panther National: Golf with a Touch of Gold in Palm Beach

New York City Has the Innovation Edge

Flygreen: A Convenient Alternative in Private Aviation

Magic Mountains: The Best Places to Ski This Season

The Bass Museum Celebrates 60 Years on Miami Beach

Private Yacht Bookings Are Becoming Increasingly Popular

Dublin’s Carton House Is the Ideal Property for a Working Vacation

How to Spend an Extra Day in Nashville

Photos: The 2023 Business Traveler North America Awards Ceremony

Great Escapes: Four Restorative Properties Outside New York

5 New and Renovated Hotels Add Fresh Charm to Charleston

Central Oregon Is a Golfer’s Paradise

Set Up Camp at These 4 Safari Lodges in Botswana

How to Spend an Extra Day in Tokyo

Privately Run Boutique Lifestyle Hotels Are Gaining Popularity

Indigenous Tourism Experiences Are Growing in Canada

Audley Travel Can Help You Curate Your Bucket List Vacation

How to Spend an Extra Day in Brooklyn

6 City Tours That Capture the Essence of American Destinations

More Travelers Are Choosing Property Rentals Over Hotels

Volato: The Private Aviation Company Meeting Customers Where They Are

How to Spend an Extra Day in Montreal

The Wellness Benefits of Remote Desert Resorts

An Extravagant Stay at Aman New York, Among the Most Expensive Hotels in the City

Luxury Ranch Experiences Abound Across the American West

Take a Look Inside John Varvatos' Passport

How to Spend an Extra Day in London

Take a Look Inside Sunny Hostin’s Passport

These 4 Start-Ups Are Revolutionizing Green Travel

These Hotels Are Leading the Boom in Post-Workout Recovery Therapies

The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Returns with Big Changes

Take a Look Inside Rhiannon Giddens's Passport

Dr. Kiran Gill Celebrates 5 Years of Her Naples Aesthetic Institute

Women in Aviation: The Most Influential Leaders of 2024

Kimberly Pressler's Daredevil Ride to TV Success

Interview: Air Tahiti Nui Leads the Way in Gender Equity with Caroline Borawski

Take a Look Inside Formula 1 Driver Alex Albon’s Passport

The Secrets of Rachel Zoe's Success

Sir Tim Clark, Emirates CEO: "We Know Exactly Where We Want to Go"

Questlove Is Ready for the Next Phase of His Career

Relais & Châteaux President Laurent Gardinier: How Luxury and Sustainability Can Coexist

Richard Christiansen’s Cult-Favorite Botanical Wellness Brand

Take a Look Inside Bobby Berk's Passport

Take a Look Inside Karolína Kurková's Passport

Back to Basics: How Alexis von Hoensbroech is Steering WestJet's Transformation

Sheila Johnson, Salamander Collection CEO, Shares Her Journey of Success in New Memoir

Tried and tested.

What to Order at Buccan in Palm Beach, Florida

The Connaught Bar’s Cocktails Are So Good They’re Collected in a New Book

A Stay at the Palihotel Hollywood, Steps from the Walk of Fame

What Is It Like to Visit the Plaza Premium Lounge in Orlando?

Here’s What It Was Like to Watch the Eclipse on a JSX Private Jet

The Best Sustainable Luggage Pieces for Spring

The magazine.

Privacy Overview

• the ultimate guide for business travel
• city guides
• book coming soon!

Sign Up For Early Access

Businesstravel.com is still in development. get early access to the only booking website designed specifically with business travelers in mind., the new home for business travelers., businesstravel.com is the only booking engine on the internet designed specifically for business travelers, from novices to true road warriors., sign up to get the latest news from businesstravel.com, including early access to the platform., one-stop shop for airfare & hotel rooms.

Get the flights YOU want and a business hotel in a business location at the lowest rate available.

Loyalty Programs

Build up your own points while enjoying the benefits of our partnerships including airport lounge access and wi-fi rebates for hotel stays.

Free, Premium & Elite memberships

...so you can get the most out of BusinessTravel.com, whether you travel once a year or once a week.

Get the most out of your next business trip

Read the latest news and articles on all things businesstravel.com.

6 Tips For Staying Healthy On Your Next Business Trip

The best way to stay healthy on the road? Preparation! Have plans to reduce stress, avoid germs, eat healthy, exercise, and beat jet lag.

Yes, You Should Book Bleisure Travel

In recent years, bleisure travel—business trips where travelers add leisure activities to their itineraries—has boomed in popularity. Here's why you should join the trend.

5 Airport Tips For Business Travelers

Maximizing time, getting work done, staying active, sampling local food and drink, and researching the best transportation options available are all useful airport tips for business travelers.

Best Practices For Managing Business Travel Without A Travel Policy

Managing business travel without a travel policy is as simple as staying organized and finding and establishing programs that work for you.

8 Business Travel Hacks You Need To Know

These eight business travel hacks—including when to book your flights, how to pack efficiently, what apps to download, and more—will help you become an expert on the road.

5 Business Travel Trends For 2020

Face-to-face meetings, end-to-end experiences, sharing services, bleisure travel, and eco-friendly habits are among the top business travel trends for 2020.

browse all articles

© 2024 BusinessTravel.com. All Rights Reserved.

I've been to more than 30 countries, but I'll always think this European city is the best destination for children of any age

• Of all the countries I've been to, I think London is the best place for kids of any age.
• My husband and I took our son to the city when he was a baby, a preteen, and a teenager.
• The city has many museums, parks, and other activities to entertain kids of all ages.

As a travel writer, one of my greatest loves is experiencing a new country , region, or city with my son. But one place has always been our favorite: London.

The city, which is projected to be the top summer travel destination in 2024 , is popular among tourists due to its iconic sites, gardens, and history. But if you ask me, London is also the best spot to bring your kids, especially if they range in age.

I've been to over 30 countries, and out of all of them, London is the place we chose to bring our child when he was a baby, a preteen, and a teenager.

From the city's amazing architecture to its bustling museums , there are plenty of activities to catch any kid's attention. Here's why I'll always believe London is a terrific destination for children of any age.

Transportation in London is usually a breeze

In my experience, arriving in and getting around London is pretty easy. The Heathrow Express, an airport rail link operating from London Heathrow Airport, can transport passengers to Paddington Station in 15 minutes or less.

Once in the city, we take the Tube, a rapid underground transit system, to get to the big sights. Children under 11 travel for free when accompanied by an adult, and discounts are available for older kids.

When my son was 11, he loved the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus, a touristy but fun experience that takes passengers to major city sights like Big Ben and the Tower of London. Passengers can get off the open-top double-decker vehicle anytime, take a tour, grab a bite to eat, and then continue their journey when the next bus comes.

I recommend getting a 48-hour pass because you can get a great city overview on the first day and then dig deeper into certain spots on the second.

Finally, in an emergency like an infant meltdown or a toddler tantrum, Ubers are almost always accessible.

The city is full of parks for children to play in

London has incredible green space for such a large city. Many of the city's parks are free to the public and are wonderful spots for kids to picnic, sightsee, and burn off energy.

Regent's Park has gorgeous gardens, a playground, and a lake. At Hyde Park, families with two adults and up to four children can swim in the Serpentine Lido for only £15, or about $19.

Related stories

Greenwich Park is another one of our favorites because it offers beautiful views of the River Thames and an expansive lawn surrounding the Royal Observatory and Prime Meridian.

There's no need to worry about a language barrier

I'm a seasoned traveler, but language barriers can still throw me for a loop. I always try to learn a few simple phrases, but not understanding a language and juggling a kid can cause a lot of stress.

In London, there's no need to worry about a language barrier. Though over 300 languages are spoken in the city, most people know English.

There might be different words for various objects — like "nappy" or "diaper" — but I've easily communicated with the people around us in London.

London is full of kid-friendly eateries

Each time we've traveled to London, I've seen terrific restaurant options for palates of all ages. For example, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen offers a deal so children 8 and under dine for free when ordering off the kids' menu.

Delicious international foods , such as Italian, Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian cuisine, are also available all over London. Fast-food chains like Simit Sarayi and Yo! Sushi are also located throughout the city.

We loved taking our son to sample sweets at Harrods' Food Halls and enjoy sandwiches and scones at St. Martin-in-the-Fields' Café in the Crypt in Trafalgar Square.

There are tons of entertaining museums that offer free admission

London offers nearly 200 museums for patrons to soak up the city's culture and history. They're the perfect places to seek shelter from rain or serve as quiet, interesting respites for a napping baby.

On our first family trip, we strolled our then 8-month-old son through several wings of The British Museum as he peacefully slept. When he was 11, we hit The British Library to marvel at the Magna Carta and checked out the artwork at the National Portrait Gallery.

On our most recent excursion, we watched as our 16-year-old perused the masterpieces at Tate Modern. Most of these museums offer free admission, great kids' activities, hands-on exhibitions, and terrific gift shops.

London is close to tons of easy day-trip options

If you're a traveler who needs a change of pace or scenery every few days, London is a gateway to several day-trip destinations. Places like Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, Birmingham, and Brighton are only a bus ride away.

Visiting cities like Paris , Brussels, and even Amsterdam in a single day is doable thanks to the Eurostar train, which runs through several Western European countries.

The bottom line: London's fun, full of great transportation options, and offers endless activities to entertain the entire family. It's truly a winner for kids of all ages.

• Main content

Airlines will now be required to give automatic refunds for canceled and delayed flights

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

The Biden administration issued final rules last week to require airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for things such as delayed flights and to better disclose fees for baggage or canceling a reservation.

The Transportation Department said airlines will be required to provide automatic cash refunds within a few days for canceled flights and “significant” delays.

Under current regulations, airlines decide how long a delay must last before triggering refunds. The administration is removing that wiggle room by defining a significant delay as lasting at least three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international ones.

Airlines still will be allowed to offer another flight or a travel credit instead, but consumers can reject the offer.

The rule will also apply to refunds of checked-bag fees if the bag isn’t delivered within 12 hours for domestic flights or 15 to 30 hours for international flights. And it will apply to fees for things such as seat selection or an internet connection if the airline fails to provide the service.

Complaints about refunds skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as airlines canceled flights and, even when they didn’t, many people didn’t feel safe sharing a plane cabin with other passengers.

Airlines for America, a trade group for large U.S. carriers, noted that refund complaints to the Transportation Department have fallen sharply since mid-2020. A spokesperson for the group said airlines “offer a range of options — including fully refundable fares — to increase accessibility to air travel and to help customers make ticket selections that best fit their needs.”

The group said the 11 largest U.S. airlines issued $43 billion in customer refunds from 2020 through 2023.

The Transportation Department issued a separate rule requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose up front what they charge for checked and carry-on bags and canceling or changing a reservation. On airline websites, the fees must be shown the first time customers see a price and schedule.

The rule will also oblige airlines to tell passengers they have a guaranteed seat they are not required to pay extra for, although it does not bar airlines from charging people to choose specific seats. Many airlines now charge extra for certain spots, including exit-row seats and those near the front of the cabin.

The agency said the rule will save consumers more than $500 million a year.

Airlines for America said its members “offer transparency and vast choice to consumers” from their first search.

The new rules will take effect over the next two years. They are part of a broad administration attack on what President Biden calls “junk fees.” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced this month that his department will let state officials in 15 states help enforce federal airline consumer protection laws .

Koenig writes for the Associated Press.

More to Read

Airlines will be required to automatically refund passengers for major flight changes under DOT rule

April 26, 2024

American Airlines is raising bag fees and changing how customers earn frequent-flier points

Feb. 20, 2024

Abcarian: Should fat people get an extra airline seat for free? Southwest Airlines thinks they should

Dec. 20, 2023

More From the Los Angeles Times

Feds say he masterminded an epic California water heist. Some farmers say he’s their Robin Hood

April 28, 2024

Money Talk with Liz Weston: Managing mortgage debt in retirement

Company Town

Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish expected to leave the company

April 27, 2024

U.S. probes whether Tesla Autopilot recall did enough to make sure drivers pay attention

Open seating no more? Southwest CEO says airline is weighing cabin changes

Southwest Airlines  is considering changes to its single-class, open-seating cabins to drive up revenue, CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC on Thursday, a shift that could be among the largest in the airline’s history.

“We’re looking into new initiatives, things like the way we seat and board our aircraft,” Jordan said in an interview after the carrier’s  disappointing first-quarter report.

Southwest’s all- Boeing  737 fleet has a single economy class cabin and no seating assignments, though it does offer earlier boarding for a fee so customers can snag their preferred seats. The airline has focused on keeping its product simple and user-friendly for years, aiming to keep its own costs and complexity to a minimum.

Meanwhile, rivals including  Delta  and  United  have touted high revenue growth for premium seating such as business class and  strong upsell rates .

Analysts have repeatedly asked Southwest about opportunities for premium seating or additional fees. (The airline doesn’t charge travelers for their first two checked bags.)

Most U.S. airlines charge travelers to choose many of its seats in advance, even those that don’t come with extra legroom. Eight U.S. carriers —  Alaska ,  Allegiant ,  American , Delta,  Frontier ,  JetBlue ,  Spirit  and United — together brought in $4.2 billion from seating fees in their domestic networks in 2022, according to Jay Sorensen, an airline ancillary revenue expert at IdeaWorksCompany.

Jordan said no decisions have been made on what kind of changes Southwest will ultimately make, but he said studies have yielded “interesting” results.

“Customer preferences do change over time,” Jordan said.

While details were scarce during Southwest’s earnings call, when asked whether Southwest would consider a separated cabin on its planes, Ryan Green, the carrier’s chief commercial officer said: “Curtains and things like that are a bit far afield from what Southwest Airlines is.”

Green added that the carrier is not considering charging for checked bags because “people choose Southwest Airlines because we don’t have bag fees.”

— CNBC’s  Phil LeBeau  contributed to this report.

More from CNBC:

• Honda to build $11 billion electric vehicle hub in Canada
• Comcast beats earnings estimates even as it sheds more broadband subscribers
• American Airlines swings to a loss, but tops estimates for Q2 forecast