Amex survey highlights downward trends
Over 70% of companies intend to reduce their travel budgets or keep them at present levels in 2009, according to a study by American Express.
The travel management company said its annual barometer, Business Travel EMEA, showed travel policies are being tightened across the board.
On average, respondents said they would be cutting their budgets by 12%.
In Britain 32% of budgets are being revised downwards, while in northern Europe, Belgium and France the figures were 24%, 19% and 17% respectively.
Just over 60% of companies surveyed said they have increased the use of videoconferencing.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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