´ł°żąá´ĄąˇąˇˇĄł§ľţąŤ¸éłŇĚý– Business travel is bouncing back, but not everyone’s getting a seat on the plane. A new 51ˇçÁ÷Concur survey reveals a growing divide in who gets to pack their bags for work, with Gen X often dominating the field. This disparity threatens to leave younger generations, particularly the rising Gen Z workforce, at a significant disadvantage.

While two-thirds of employees see business travel as crucial for climbing the corporate ladder, an equal number feel they’re not getting the same opportunities as their colleagues. This gap has actually widened over the past year, jumping from 62% to 66%.

Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM, sees this as a wake-up call for companies. “We’re seeing a generational divide in business travel, with Gen X taking the bulk of the business trips. But in today’s global market, that’s a missed opportunity for businesses and younger employees alike.”

The benefits of a more equitable approach extend beyond just having a well-rounded workforce. It brings fresh perspectives to client meetings, aids in succession planning, and boosts employee engagement across generations, she says.

The reasons behind this travel inequality are varied. Seniority, age, and parental status all play a role. But so do factors like office attendance and even physical appearance. Women and LGBTQ+ travellers report facing additional hurdles.

The Gen Z Challenge

As Gen Z enters the workforce, there is a clear need for more inclusive travel policies. Recent insights from the Global Business Travel Association Convention highlight the unique perspectives and needs of this generation.

Emese Graham, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager at Flight Centre Travel Group, emphasises the ‘DITTO’ system for Gen Z travellers, which encapsulates specific recommendations for organisations on diversity, individualism and teamwork, technology, and organisational supports. She says: “Gen Z has different considerations than previous generations with 28 per cent now identifying as LGBQT+, only 15 per cent believing they have ‘excellent’ mental health, and the fact they’ve grown up around crises – meaning their travel behaviours are different.”

This generational shift demands a re-evaluation of current travel policies that may inadvertently favour Gen X travellers.

Making travel more inclusive

To address the Gen X dominance and create more equitable opportunities, Smith offers several strategies:

“First, review your travel policies. Are they inadvertently excluding certain groups? For example, policies that require extensive travel might disadvantage parents or caregivers. Consider offering flexible options that allow for work-life balance.”

“Second, implement a fair rotation system for travel opportunities. This ensures that all eligible employees get a chance, regardless of their position or background.”

“Third, create mentorship programmes where less experienced employees can shadow senior staff on trips. This provides valuable exposure without full responsibility.”

Smith also highlights the role that Travel Management Companies (TMCs) can play in this process. “Your TMC can be a valuable partner in creating a more inclusive travel programme. At FCM, we offer data analytics that can help identify disparities in travel opportunities. We can also assist in developing policies that promote inclusivity and ensure duty of care for all travellers.”

She adds, “TMCs can provide cultural briefings and safety information tailored to diverse traveller needs. For instance, we can offer specific guidance for LGBTQ+ travellers heading to countries with less progressive laws, or accessibility information for travellers with disabilities.”

So, companies face a choice. Will they stick with the Gen X-dominated model, or embrace a more inclusive approach?

“The future of business travel is diverse and flexible,” Smith concludes. “Organisations that recognise this will be better positioned to thrive in the global market. It’s not just about who’s travelling; it’s about cultivating a global mindset across your entire organisation.”

This article first appeared on .

The post Why Gen X Dominates Business Travel appeared first on 51ˇçÁ÷Africa News Center.

Although the travel industry is increasingly addressing inclusivity, research shows that business travel is lagging.

“The lack of inclusivity in business travel is troubling. It creates uneven playing fields for LGBTQ+ employees, limiting their career opportunities if they feel unsafe travelling. This hurts both individuals and organisations. Plus, it undermines a company’s diversity efforts and reputation,” says , GM of .

Smith adds that addressing the safety of LGBTQ+ business travellers can be difficult due to the rapid changes to LGBTQ+ rights and safety concerns worldwide.

According to the ’sĚý, Africa is the most risky continent to travel to for LGBTQ+ travellers, basing this on rights, laws, freedoms and public perspectives. Thirty-one countries in Africa have criminalised homosexuality, and many more display anti-queer sentiments. Other dangerous regions for queer travellers include the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, North Asia and East Asia.

Even in countries that are considered LGBTQ+ friendly, travellers can still face challenges, as 90% of business travellers reported that they still hid their sexual orientation during their trips.

However, this strategy does not always guarantee their safety.

Smith recommends training staff and using TMCs that will understand the unique risks and cultural sensitivities to accommodate and assist employees who do not conceal their sexuality. TMCs can do this by communicating with local tour operators and DMCs who are aware of establishments and accommodations that are queer-friendly or by consulting online guides for options such as . IGLTA offers lists of tour operators and accommodations that are tolerant of LGBTQ+ travellers.

TMCs can also offer pre-trip assessments that examine local laws and customs, the degree of social and cultural acceptance as well as outlying practices. An example of an outlier is when homosexuality is not illegal in a country, but specific ideas of public indecency that correlate with queerness can result in arrest.

Smith emphasises the importance by corporates to train staff on how rights vary in different countries, and who to contact in medical emergencies and for legal support if faced with assault, detention, imprisonment, or deportation.

Furthermore, by creating inclusive policies that adapt to destination-specific laws, sociopolitical changes, safety considerations and language usage, diversity, equity and inclusivity policies are validated. Additionally, it safeguards employees’ mental and physical health, improving work ethic and retention.

“An inclusive travel culture can improve morale and make staff feel valued by their employer,” concludes Smith.

This article first appeared on .

The post Lack of LGBTQ+ Support Hurts Businesses appeared first on 51ˇçÁ÷Africa News Center.

In SAP’s recent Concur Global Business Travel Survey, business travellers reported significant budget cuts (40%), a surge in reduced overnight trips (32%), and a noticeable dip in the quality of accommodations (31%).

The survey revealed that 31% of participants were engaged in an ongoing quest for cost-effective travel options. Unsurprisingly, air travel expenses emerged as one of the primary focal points for budget scrutiny as businesses seek to rationalise overall travel expenditures.

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the average cost of business-related airfares surged by 72% in 2022. While these statistics provide an overview, what is the actual experience for a business traveller striving to harmonise corporate objectives with personal comfort?

Real-world impact

In an interview with Travel News, a seasoned corporate traveller shed light on the tangible effects of reduced travel budgets. He emphasises how these financial constraints have transformed business trips into less enjoyable and more arduous experiences.

“We must consider longer airline routes with multiple stops to secure cheaper airfares. This strategy, while financially prudent, has introduced new challenges. The extended layovers not only induce fatigue but also limit the time available for attending crucial meetings at my destination. This shift is a significant departure from the more efficient business travel experiences of the past.”

He explained that while it was tempting to reduce business travel costs, his company must be mindful of how these decisions could impact travellers.

“Business trips should contribute to the benefit of our operations and profitability, and at the same time consider that we are away from home; living out of a suitcase is no longer exciting for me. I have preferences when I travel to feel comfortable and safe in a foreign environment. There must be a balance between cost saving and our business travel processes, and it is tricky to get that right when everything has become so expensive.”

Proactive approach

Bonnie Smith, GM of Corporate Traveller, says now is the right time to take a strategic rather than reactive approach to business travel budgeting.

“While all businesses need to have an eye on expenses, it is equally important to provide teams with the necessary resources and flexibility when they are on the road.”

In a recent Corporate Traveller article, Smith notes that business travellers are pinching pennies and facing more pressure to make the trip worth every cent.

“The fluctuating rand has not helped, resulting in daily travel allowances barely covering the basics. And you know what they say about all work and no play: it is making these trips much less about glamour and more grind.”

This article first appeared in .

The post Rising Costs Choke Business Travel appeared first on 51ˇçÁ÷Africa News Center.

Those on the ground say sky-high ticket prices and tighter company wallets can sometimes make business trips feel more like boot camp than a perk. Business travellers are pinching pennies and facing more pressure to make the trip worth every cent. The fluctuating Rand hasn’t helped – daily travel allowances barely cover the basics. And you know what they say about all work and no play – it’s making these trips much less glamorous and more grind.

The change is palpable, according to the . Business travellers have reported significant budget cuts (40 percent), a surge in reduced overnight trips (32 percent), and a noticeable dip in the quality of accommodations (31 percent). Moreover, the relentless hunt for cheaper fares has been felt by 31 percent of those surveyed.

Understandably, flights were some of the first to come under budget scrutiny. The reported that the average ticket price for business-related airfares rose 72% in 2022. The numbers give a sense of the situation, but what’s the reality for a business traveller trying to balance business goals with personal comfort?

Any frequent flyer will agree that business trips can be a hectic whirlwind of meetings and deadlines. But when you have to pick a cheaper, less convenient flight? Crazy early mornings or late nights, long layovers, or having to bounce between multiple airports get added to your workload.

Instead of saving energy for the big meeting, you’re left dealing with jet lag and travel fatigue. And the time you could’ve spent prepping or chilling? Wasted on navigating the extra travel hassle. Add to this – the discomfort of spending layovers on an airport bench because you’ve dropped from silver to bronze, and the benefits that took some of the heavy lifting out of travel have vanished.

Companies are also making sure they get a bang for their buck. Instead of a one-day business trip with a single meeting, travellers now find their itineraries packed. Multiple appointments, visits, reviews, and the odd networking dinner thrown in. The rationale? If we’re spending so much to get you there, we might as well make the most of it. The result? The Q2 2023 Quarterly Trends Report shows corporations are travelling, on average, 20% less than 2019.  The unintended benefit – it’s better for the environment to batch meetings.

It’s a brave new world out there for the business traveller – and it’s forcing many who hold the purse strings to reconsider and revise their travel strategies and policies. Bonnie Smith, GM Corporate Traveller, says that now is the right time to take a strategic rather than reactive approach to business travel budgeting.

“TMCs are on the pulse of the travel industry,” says Smith. By joining forces with a company’s administrative team, a TMC can devise a monthly travel budget perfectly suited to an organisation’s specific needs. “Their extensive network and know-how can unlock global deals, allowing travellers to enjoy perks without the premium of business class flights,” Smith adds.

The expertise TMCs bring to the table can also help recalibrate the company’s travel policy – and help to set some ground rules. “It’s all about letting the team enjoy their trips without blowing the budget,” she explains.

Smith explains there are simple and easy ways to take some of the ‘grunt work’ out of business travel:

• Special rates and perks: With global industry ties from a TMC like Corporate Traveller, travellers don’t need to hunt for the best deals. They automatically get competitive rates, plus perks like lounge access or upgrades.
• 24/7 support and safety: Travellers can skip the stress of problem-solving during hiccups. With round-the-clock support, any issue, big or small, gets addressed without the traveller having to handle it all.
• Feedback and updates: A TMC will keep the company’s travel policy fresh so travellers always have a streamlined experience. Regular tweaks based on feedback mean travellers spend less time voicing concerns and more time enjoying seamless journeys.
• Easy expense management: Thanks to tech and tools, travellers don’t have to dread the post-trip paperwork. Simplified expense tracking means less time documenting and more time focusing on the trip’s purpose.

“While all businesses need to have an eye on expenses, it’s equally important to provide teams with the necessary resources and flexibility when they’re on the road. After all, their success during these trips is directly linked to our overall success as an organisation,” adds Smith.

“Overly tight travel rules can demotivate top performers. They need both freedom and the right tools to excel. Balancing costs with travellers’ genuine needs is the key to reaping the full return on investment of business travel,” Smith concludes.

The post Work Travel Now Means More Work Than Ever appeared first on 51ˇçÁ÷Africa News Center.