Press releases

Time-saving travellers want more technology

Today’s business travellers are embracing new technology in order to save time and make travel easier, according to research released today by Barclaycard Business.

The Barclaycard Business Travel Survey, now in its 12th year, canvasses the views of more than 3,000 business travellers across the country, building a comprehensive picture of the UK’s business traveller, gauging views on business travel and travel behaviour.

As the use of mobile phones for non-voice activities continues to rise, business travellers are looking to new technological advancements to help make their business life easier. Just under half of respondents (46%) seek the technology to allow them to use their mobile phone for more than voice communications, for example as a credit or debit card transactions, if such a product were available.

As the survey results show, not only are people travelling more; they are travelling longer distances and for longer periods of time, requiring a greater ability to remain in touch, online and informed on business developments.  There is still demand for in-flight internet use, with forty-nine per cent of respondents looking to airlines to provide onboard wireless internet connection, allowing them to maximise their time while travelling by air.

Of those that reported a reduction in travel during 2007, 36 per cent cite technology as the main reason for reducing the need.

Denise Leleux, Director of Commercial Cards, Barclaycard Business said:

"As business travel continues to rise, so too does the need for technological advancements designed to save travellers’ time and money. Travel technology is constantly evolving, enabling them to do the things they want regardless of location. The future growth of business travel is inextricably linked to the advancement of technology – be that technology to book travel, in-flight technology or payment technology. The next few years will be exciting as we see advancements across a range of devices and services".

Figures this year demonstrate business travellers are increasing their use of online technology to book travel arrangements. In addition, the use of the traditional airport check-in desks has fallen, with mobile phone check-in and online services continuing to grow in popularity as business travellers seek to maximise their work time beyond the airport.

 

During 2007, business travellers recorded a marked increase in their company’s use of conferencing technology including telephone, web and video conferencing facilities.  Telephone conferencing was the most popular with 46 per cent reporting an increase in usage of this facility, followed by web conferencing (15%) and video conferencing (14%).

Additional Findings:

• On average 36 per cent of all respondents say that technology has reduced the need to travel, despite 2007 recording a significant rise in business travel
• The sexes differ when it comes to personal contact: 88 per cent of men feel that technology is less effective than face to face meetings, compared to 75 per cent of women
• Even IT and telecoms companies preferred to meet in person: 82 per cent thought it better than using conferencing technology – close to the average of 85 per cent
• Men would be the most enthusiastic supporters of mobile phone credit cards devices: 48 per cent of men compared to 36 per cent of women thought they would use them
• The Scottish were more enthusiastic than the average: 52 per cent said they would take advantage of this new technology
• 34 per cent of 18 to 30 year olds preferred using mobile or online check-in
• 66 per cent of 18 to 30 year olds would like airlines to provide wireless internet connections, compared to 40 per cent of 51 to 65 year olds.