COST control remains the top priority for some 70 per cent of corporate travel managers worldwide, according to Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) sixth annual Travel Management Priorities report.
In this report, “driving growth in online adoption” came in second with 55 per cent of the vote, followed by “optimising end-to-end travel processes” at 54 per cent.
While the survey polled some 970 travel managers worldwide, results resonated in Asia-Pacific where 73 per cent of respondents are looking for innovative savings, 63 per cent want to optimise end-to-end travel processes and 55 per cent aim to improve online adoption.
Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, Mike Orchard, senior director, CWT Solutions Group, Asia-Pacific, said: “One of the rising costs in traveller spending is mobile connectivity. Every corporate traveller today owns multiple devices, from a smartphone to a tablet and a laptop, and there are huge costs involved to…stay connected.”
Orchard suggested that corporates either negotiate with a telecommunications company or ensure travellers utilise the Wi-Fi connection whenever available to optimise savings.
He said: “There are many companies who will encourage the employees to use Wi-Fi instead of data but no policies are enforced if they do otherwise.”
David Moran, executive vice president of global marketing & enterprise strategy, CWT, said: “Identifying savings is still the top priority for travel managers across the globe.
“However, the greater focus on traveller experience marks a fresh, positive chapter for the industry. We are working on new, innovative ways to help travel managers achieve their money-saving objectives,” he added.
