Business travellers shun agents
Advantage Travel Centres has admitted there is an “inherent reluctance” from corporate travellers to employ a travel agent despite the stresses and complexities of organising a business trip.
The consortium’s director of business travel Norman Gage said business travellers are more than happy to seek the services of other professionals but regard agents as an expensive luxury.
And he insisted the reluctance could be putting their health at risk.
“Travel is widely recognised as one of the most stress-inducing factors of business life,” he said. “While business travellers are more than happy to employ an accountant or lawyer, in many cases there seems to be an inherent reluctance to employ a travel agent, even though organising a safe, successful and stress-free business trip can be just as complicated as filing tax returns or dealing with legal affairs.”
He said small companies in particular don’t want to pay for expert advice.
The warning came as mental health charity Mind reported that 58% of UK employees suffer from work related stress with 13 million days lost in sick leave – costing UK business £100 billion.
In addition, a report from BT Openworld revealed 66% of UK executives are travelling more than two years ago with business trips regarded as “extremely stressful.”
“Large organisations usually have the manpower to cover for stress-related absenteeism but smaller companies don’t often have that luxury,” said Gage.
“To make matters worse, travel itself is becoming more complex. The phenomenal growth in travel websites, in air and rail services and in hotel accommodation options, make it even harder to make the right travel choices.”
Report by Steve Jones
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 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers