75% of business travellers book on internet
Three-quarters of US business travelers use the internet as their primary means of arranging their business travel.
The survey of more than 550 business travellers in the US found that 71% book their business travel primarily online, a trend that has been increasing in the three years since Accenture began fielding the survey.
In contrast, only 22% of respondents reported that their preferred booking method is by telephone with a live agent, down from 36% in 2003.
Additionally, the vast majority (87%) of respondents said they have used airport kiosks to check in, and more than two-thirds (69%) of those who have used the kiosks said they did so largely for their convenience.
According to the survey results, over the past year there has been a significant shift away from low-cost carriers and back toward major network airlines for both business and personal travel. More than three-quarters (82%) of respondents said they primarily use major carriers for business travel, up from 72% last year. Similarly, more than two-thirds (69%) reported using major carriers for personal travel this year, compared with 53% last year.
“Major network carriers and hotel companies should be keenly aware that aspects beyond price, such as convenient schedules, are deciding factors for many business travellers,” said a spokesman. “We continue to see that service and convenience – from the website to the aisle seat to the hotel room – remain top concerns for travellers.
“Companies that provide convenience, good prices and quality service on a consistent basis can win the lucrative business traveler.”
Other key findings of the survey include:
*Mid-range hotels are making a comeback. More than three-quarters (81%) of respondents said they use mid-range hotels as their primary accommodation for business travel, up from 56% last year. In contrast, only 10% of respondents said they use budget chain hotels as their primary accommodation, down from 25% last year.
*The greatest number of respondents, 33%, ranked proximity to meetings or office as the top requirement in their choice of hotel rooms.
*Only 15% cited the availability of high-speed or wireless internet as one of their main criterion.
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025