UK business travel is set to see a 27 percent growth during 2013, according to the findings of a recent survey.
The study, carried out by US-based car rental company, Avis Rent a Car, as part of its annual Corporate Connections study, surveyed 2,500 European business personnel, and its data suggests that in the coming year the UK will outstrip the 20 percent business travel growth that it achieved in 2011-2012 by an additional 7 percent.
The survey also revealed that 50 percent of those questioned travel on behalf of their company or organisation at least once a month, while 15 percent do so weekly, and 7 percent are doing so on a daily basis. The major boom areas for business travel were confirmed as the developing nations in South America and Asia, travel markets that experienced 21 percent growth between 2011 and 2013.
Service was deemed more important than price where business travel is concerned, with business travellers setting financial issues aside as 20 percent of them prioritised quality, 17 percent prioritised speed, 14 percent on-line booking, 5 percent loyalty offers and 4 percent exclusive incentives.
UK respondents were also proven to be the most loyal to a trusted brand, with 88 percent saying that they would tend to use that brand again compared to an average of 76 percent across Europe.
Avis UK managing director, Kaye Ceille, commented, ‘Despite economic pressures, it’s reassuring that British businesses still value quality over cost. We recognise that for our business travellers, speed and customer service is a priority and as such we offer innovative products such as online check-in and Avis Preferred, the fastest and most convenient way to rent cars.’
