Sabre Study Highlights Latest Trends in Corporate Travel

According to Sabre's 2017 Asia Pacific Corporate Traveller study, 80% of travel managers now believe mobility to be the biggest priority in managing corporate travel.

Another finding underscores the rise of premium economy as a new corporate favourite class, and a third finds companies trying to stay on top of corporate travellers who are increasingly deviating from their travel policy.

“The increasing incidence of non-compliance is the result of corporate travellers booking out of policy, where they extend business trips to include some leisure time at their own expense. With more companies shifting accountability of policy compliance to the traveller, the ability to integrate non-traditional sources of flight and accommodation, and option to change plans easily while on the go, will go a long way in helping the corporate traveller adhere to policy without compromising on the quality of travel,” said Jason Toothman, vice president of global accounts, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific.

According to the study conducted on corporate travel professionals from across 19 countries in the region, more than 43% of corporate travellers are deviating from company policy ahead of the trip and 42% are making changes while travelling.

As companies strive to find the balance between driving compliance and increasing their corporate travellers’ satisfaction, respondents have seen corporations actively re-crafting their travel policies (32% in 2015 vs 47% in 2016) to accommodate more booking autonomy. One quarter of respondents also noted that most of their clients have deployed mobile app(s) that incorporate policy compliance options, shifting accountability of compliance to the traveller.

Rise of Mobile and Virtual Payment Technologies

When asked what it is they considered to be the biggest priority in managing corporate travel in their organisation, 80% of travel managers believe mobility – from making a booking through a mobile device, to itinerary management, to staying in touch with their traveller via instant messaging - is their top priority, highlighting the importance placed on moving towards a mobile first strategy. 66% also quoted looking at alternative forms of payment technology as a high priority area for them.

Today, new technologies are emerging at a rapid pace, ultimately opening up countless new revenue channels for travel companies to tap into. Travel managers have an opportunity to engage their corporate travellers on multiple devices at all points of the journey for a truly seamless trip. Product solutions that can seamlessly integrate booking, itinerary management, messaging, virtual payments, expenses reporting and travel risk management will help corporate travellers improve their traveller experience, whilst helping their organisations maximise efficiency, streamline expenses and improve compliance.

Premium Economy

Amidst economic uncertainty, companies are cutting back on premium class air travel and as such, premium economy options have become the next best alternative without significantly impacting travellers’ comfort. From the report, over half of the respondents indicated that companies are switching class from business to premium economy. On the other hand, some businesses are upgrading travellers from economy to premium economy for higher traveller satisfaction. Both forces have contributed to 81% of respondents are seeing an increase in premium economy bookings.

The Sabre Asia Pacific Travel Study surveyed corporate travel professionals from 19 key markets across the region, representing corporate travel management companies and travel agencies servicing corporate accounts.

Countries covered included Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.

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