Challenges facing business travel in 2024

Close to three in 10 APAC business travellers surveyed are willing to decline a trip due to environmental concerns or the lack of sustainable options.

As organisations and employees globally continue to navigate a world of work shaped by a remote landscape, one thing that remains of top priority is efficient business travel, according to new research.

The research, conducted by SAP Concur, involved 3,750 travellers and 600 travel managers across global markets, including 850 from Singapore, Malaysia, India, Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. 

While the above area of priority was so, businesses travellers continue to face complexities in their travel, it was highlighted. In particular, 86% of those in APAC said they have experienced last-minute changes due to delays, cancellations, or rerouting. These disruptions not only waste time but also contribute to growing frustration among employees, with 82% resorting to ‘booking buffers’—adding extra time before or after their journeys to mitigate unexpected changes.

This points to the necessity of revisiting travel policies, and making way for more flexible itineraries, according to Sushant Jain, Chief Revenue Officer, Asia Pacific & Japan, Spend Management, SAP.

Further challenges facing travellers in the region include:

Reluctance to travel

Among the more commonly cited reasons for an employee's reluctance to travel include safety (42%) or political or social (36%) concerns.

Moreover, the trend of ‘bleisure’—combining business and leisure travel—faces new challenges as companies cut back on remote work flexibility. A significant 22% of employees would decline a business trip if they couldn’t extend it for personal travel, and 26% would refuse if they couldn’t make necessary adjustments to company policy.

Sustainability versus cost

While sustainability has become a key consideration in business travel, it often clashes with cost-saving measures. Per the findings, 28% of APAC business travellers are willing to decline a trip due to environmental concerns or the lack of sustainable options. However, many companies are cutting back on funding these options, despite 31% of travellers indicating a preference for sustainable travel.

Unequal access to travel opportunities

The research also highlighted a significant issue of unequal access to travel opportunities within organisations. While 72% of APAC business travellers see travel as critical for their career advancement, an equal proportion believe they have not had the same travel opportunities as their colleagues. Factors such as seniority, age, and gender were cited as reasons for this disparity.

All of the above aside, the respondents noted a need for assurance around data protection, potential biases, and the consequences of AI-assisted bookings that may conflict with company policies.

Thus, as concluded, by prioritising flexibility, addressing safety and sustainability concerns, ensuring equitable access to opportunities, handling data/technology-driven factors carefully, organisations in the APAC region can better navigate the complexities of business travel and support their workforce in a challenging environment.

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