Despite the rise in virtual meetings, face-to-face interactions remain the most popular form of communication. This means that, despite the pandemic, corporate travel is as crucial to a business as it ever was.
That being said, the effects of COVID-19 have changed the way in which the industry operates, and you can expect to see these effects continue to influence the sector into 2022 and beyond. Here are five business travel trends for the year ahead so that you can make the right corporate travel choices for your company.
1. Increased flexibility in travel policies
How often do you check your corporate travel policy? If your answer is not very often, then it is highly likely that a few changes are needed.
Recent business travel trends indicate that corporate travellers are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to booking accommodation and transportation for their trips, rather than rigidly sticking to company policy.
This means that it can be a good idea to tweak your current policy so that your employees have more flexibility in terms of booking aspects of their trips.
2. The rise of “bleisure travel”
Due to the demographic shift in corporate travel, namely that the workforce has become younger, employees are becoming increasingly interested in combining business and pleasure when travelling for work.
Known as “bleisure travel”, this trend means that you need to focus your efforts on providing an all-rounded enjoyable business travel experience if you want your employees to be both productive and happy. If you need help providing a seamless business travel experience, a travel management company can do all the legwork for you.
3. Non-traditional accommodation
While local hotels used to be the go-to accommodation for business travelers worldwide, today’s corporate traveller is willing to consider other options. Airbnb’s are becoming increasingly popular, both due to their affordability and their homey feel. As are smaller, boutique hotels that provide more authenticity and often have stronger connections with local businesses and events.
4. New technologies
New innovations are the driving force behind a better corporate travel experience in 2022, with technologies such as facial recognition at the airport and 5G wireless internet allowing travellers to book and track all aspects of their business trips on the go.
Also, look out for trip disruption technology that is designed to minimise the hassle caused by delayed flights and trains and involves real-time trip updates being sent to traveler’s mobile devices.
5. Blockchain
If you are worried about the protection of your sensitive data and payment details when you book corporate travel, then blockchain is the perfect solution. Another corporate travel trend that is set to continue well into 2022 and beyond, blockchain technology makes both the storage and access of data easier.
From flight prices to hotel rates, car hire costs to traveler preferences, blockchain tech collates every single piece of information involved in the travel process and arranges it into permanent blocks that are safe from user errors or cyber security attacks.
