Travel Plans Critical to Success

A majority of business travelers (55%) said they plan to travel as much or more this year than they did in 2008, according to a survey of 612 Business Traveler magazine subscribers, conducted by Orbitz for Business.

When asked how important maintaining travel frequency is to overall productivity and business success, 76% said it is important, with 16% calling it “critical.”

Nevertheless, some companies have implemented new policies to cover new fee structures rolled out by airlines and other travel providers. For example, some airlines now charge more for an aisle or window seat. The survey found that 34% of respondents’ employers will not allow such an upgrade as a business expense, 24% will allow it, and 42% were unsure.

Meanwhile, 31% of respondents said they will be required to squeeze in more work and more meetings per business trip this year than in 2008.

Source: Orbitz for Business, www.orbitzforbusiness.com.