More than half of small and medium sized businesses plan to travel at least as much in 2009 as this year, a new survey shows.


The Star Alliance poll found that 52% of respondents are going to be travelling as much as before, with 34% saying that they will be flying more than before.


The research among SMEs in the UK and Ireland for the alliance’s loyalty programme found that 60% have a travel policy and 30% of those companies were looking for the best value airlines offering the right fare in the class of travel required.


Half of companies surveyed confirmed that obtaining free flights is still the most popular benefit from a corporate programme such as the Star Alliance Company Plus scheme.


But choices, such as receiving a cash back were gaining more interest.
 
Jo Ashman (SAS) in his role as spokesman for Star Alliance Company Plus in the UK and Ireland, said: "This survey clearly indicates that small and medium businesses in the UK are looking to travel as much in 2009 as they have done in 2008.


"The SME market, with its smaller travel budgets, is understandably the most nervous in the current economic climate.


“It is this group that is more likely to postpone or cancel their trips. However, we are seeing that corporate clients are taking comfort in working with established and secure network airlines as their travel partners.”
 
The alliance is courting SME’s to join its loyalty scheme with quarterly special deals on flights and the signing of new fulfillment partners such as hotels and car hire companies.


by Phil Davies