HRG highlights emerging trends
HONG KONG – As challenging economic conditions continue to dominate news headlines and financial constraints have greater influence on travel policy and decision-making, international corporate travel services company Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is highlighting key trends emerging across the business travel industry.
Says James Stevenson, executive vice president, for HRG in the Asia Pacific region, “Certain geographic regions are continuing to grow whilst others are experiencing closer scrutiny as to whether travel is necessary.”
HRG’s observations include:
– Continued growth in Middle East and Africa
– Greater emphasis being placed on the reason behind travel
– Increased flexibility of travel policy with greater use of best fare on day
– Active limitations on the numbers of travellers attending meetings
– An upturn in video conferencing solutions
– Support for preferred suppliers
– An increased requirement for detailed, and immediate, data and MIS reporting.
“We are seeing the credit crunch wave starting to effect the AsPac region. However, in today’s global marketplace organisations realise that a certain amount of travel is essential and important,” says Stevenson.
“What is becoming more apparent is that companies are paying more attention to the reason behind a trip.
“There is no question that clients understand the business benefits of face-to-face meetings, but increasingly they are opting to consider – and offer – alternative solutions, whether that is best fare on the day or a teleconference.”
One of the most interesting developments to date is a real sense of camaraderie, according to Stevenson.
“Our clients appreciate the stability of their preferred carriers, realising that they are going through difficult times and supporting them to ensure that certain routes, which may be at risk of cancellation as airlines prepare their winter schedules, will remain available.”
Ian Jarrett
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