More than 80% of travelers across the globe rely on their phone to conduct business. The travellers were also surveyed about other aspects of business travel such as staying in touch with family while on the road, keeping healthy and safety and security.
In a survey of more than 1,900 business travellers, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, found that business travellers on average carry four different types of technology with the smartphone being the one “travel tool they can’t live without”.
More than 80% of travelers across the globe rely on their phone to conduct business. The travellers were also surveyed about other aspects of business travel such as staying in touch with family while on the road, keeping healthy and safety and security.
Here are Asia Pacific highlights of the CWT research:
Singapore
When it comes to travel experience, Singapore travelers appear to prefer the business travel experience over leisure travel. According to the study, more than half (53%) of respondents from Singapore believe that booking business travel is easier than booking their leisure travel, with the most common reason (42%) saying they have better online tools.
While mobile phone usage is high across the region (and the globe), Singapore travellers rely heavily on their computers. The results of the data show that 73% bring a computer with on business, which may seem low, but is 13% higher than the next country in the region.
Australia
Australian business travellers tend to be travellers of habit and self-reliance as 64% of respondents from Australia rely on their past travel experience the most when it comes to planning their future travel. This self-reliance has led to a feeling of security as only 25% said they are more sensitive to security risks.
When it comes to being social while traveling, Australians are split, with 52% wanting to be more social and 48% wanting to keep to themselves. Australians also tend to fall away from their wellness routine while travelling, with 61% saying they get less exercise when they travel.
China
Chinese travellers are able to maintain a strong work ethic while on the road. More than 9 of 10 respondents said that business travel enhances their productivity.
Family and co-workers are very important to the Chinese business traveller as more than two-thirds (68%) said the biggest challenge to business travel is staying connected to friends and co-workers.
And, nearly half (47%) say they make an effort to stay connected with their family while travelling. The importance of family also leads to family members going on business trips; almost 19% of Chinese travellers will bring a family member or friend with them on their business trips.
India
Business travellers in India like to travel. Respondents overwhelmingly (92%) said they look forward to business travel and an almost equal amount (89%) said they seek out opportunities to travel for work.
Additionally, more than any other country in the region, Indian respondents (72%) travel more to both domestic and international destinations. And, significantly more respondents from India (87%) said that the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to building and maintaining relationships at home.
Japan
Japanese business travellers showed some interesting, and at times, conflicting trends. Of all Asia Pacific countries, Japanese travellers have the greatest appetite for travel. On average, survey respondents from Japan say that 10 business trips per year is a good average.
This is why Japanese business travelers are more likely (54%) than others from the region to say that business travel builds trust. However, nearly the same number (47%) say the negatives of travel outweigh the positives – nearly double any other country in the region.
But, Japanese travellers do stick with their regimens as nearly two-thirds (64%) continue their exercise programme while travelling.